"Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, better known as Sidhu Moose Wala, was a renowned Indian singer and rapper specializing in Punjabi music and film. Widely recognized as one of the most impactful and popular Punjabi rappers ever, Moose Wala is also considered one of the greatest and most controversial Punjabi artists by many."
Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, later known as Sidhu Moose Wala, was born in June 1993.
In 2016, Sidhu Moose Wala graduated from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College in Ludhiana with a degree in electrical engineering. During this time, he developed a deep admiration for rapper Tupac Shakur, who became a significant musical influence. Moose Wala's passion for hip-hop music started in sixth grade, and he received formal music training from Harvinder Bittu in Ludhiana. When choosing a stage name, he settled on Sidhu Moose Wala as a tribute to his hometown of Moosa, highlighting his deep connection to his roots.
Sidhu Moose Wala's journey in the music industry began in 2016 when he wrote the song "License" for the artist Ninja, showcasing his talent as a songwriter.
In 2017, Moose Wala transitioned into a lead artist with the release of the duet song 'G Wagon,' in collaboration with Gurlez Akhtar, marking his debut as a performer.
In 2017, while residing in Brampton, Moose Wala released his debut song, 'G Wagon,' marking his official entry into the music scene. That same year, he achieved his breakthrough with the release of the gangster rap song 'So High,' produced by Byg Byrd. This track propelled him into the spotlight and earned him the Best Lyricist award at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards in 2017. Following this success, he joined Brown Boys Records, collaborating with Sunny Malton and Byg Byrd.
In 2018, Sidhu Moose Wala's career gained momentum as he began performing live shows in India and Canada, captivating audiences with his energetic performances. He continued to release popular singles such as 'Issa Jatt,' 'It's All About You,' and 'Just Listen,' further solidifying his presence in the music industry. In May 2018, he released the single 'Tochan,' followed by 'Famous,' which successfully entered the UK Asian Top 40 Chart, demonstrating his growing international appeal.
In August 2018, Moose Wala expanded his repertoire by contributing his first film soundtrack song, 'Dollar,' for the movie 'Dakuaan Da Munda.' His talent was further recognized with a nomination for the Best New Age Sensation award at the 2018 PTC Punjabi Music Awards for his song 'Issa Jatt,' solidifying his status as a rising star in the Punjabi music scene.
In October 2018, Sidhu Moose Wala released his debut album 'PBX 1' under the T-Series label. The album blended pop music with hip-hop influences and achieved chart success, securing a spot on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.
Sidhu Moose Wala actively campaigned for his mother, Charan Kaur, in the sarpanch (village head) election for their village, Moosa, in December 2018. Charan Kaur won the election.
In 2018, Sidhu Moose Wala's debut album, 'PBX 1,' was released, marking a significant milestone in his career. The album performed well, reaching number 66 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. Furthermore, his singles '47' and 'Mera Na' secured positions on the UK Singles Chart, demonstrating his growing popularity.
After a string of successful collaborations with Humble Music, Sidhu Moose Wala embraced independence in 2018 by starting to release songs under his own name. His first independent release was 'Warning Shots,' a diss track aimed at Karan Aujla's song 'Lafaafe,' showcasing his willingness to address industry rivalries through his music.
In February 2019, Moose Wala released 'Legend' under his own record label, which went on to win the Brit Asia TV Kuflink Best Track of the Year Award. The same month saw the release of 'Chosen' and 'Outlaw,' showcasing his prolific output. He followed up with 'East Side Flow' in April and 'Mafia Style' with Aman Hayer. June brought about a setback when his concert at the Surrey Music Festival was canceled due to security concerns stemming from violence at his previous performances, highlighting the challenges he faced. In August, he collaborated with Bohemia on the track 'Same Beef.' September saw him contribute two film soundtrack songs: 'Dogar' for 'Teri Meri Jodi' and 'Jatti Jeone Morh Wargi' for 'Ardab Mutiyaran,' featuring Sonam Bajwa. Concluding a busy year, in October, he released '47,' a collaboration with British rappers Mist and Stefflon Don, which achieved significant chart success by entering the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart and the New Zealand top 40 singles chart.
In September 2019, Sidhu Moose Wala's song "Jatti Jeone Morh Wargi" faced backlash from Sikh leaders for referencing Mai Bhago, a revered 17th-century Sikh warrior woman. Sikh groups and Akali Dal leaders demanded a ban on the song and filed complaints against Moose Wala in Mansa and Bathinda.
In 2019, Moose Wala's debut album, 'PBX 1,' was honored with the Best Album Award at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards, further solidifying its impact and his growing recognition in the music industry.
In 2019, Spotify recognized Sidhu Moose Wala's rising popularity by including him on their list of the most popular artists in Punjab, alongside Maninder Buttar and Karan Aujla, further solidifying his position as a leading figure in the Punjabi music scene.
Sidhu Moose Wala appeared in the film "Teri Meri Jodi" in 2019.
In January 2020, Sidhu Moose Wala collaborated with Nseeb on Prem Dhillon's track 'Old Skool,' expanding his musical network. Following this, he released 'Tibeyan Da Putt,' a song that quickly climbed the charts, topping the iTunes charts and reaching number 8 on Apple Music's charts in India.
Following the controversy surrounding his song "Jatti Jeone Morh Wargi," Sidhu Moose Wala issued an apology on social media. In March 2020, he appeared before the Akal Takht, the Sikh religious body, for a hearing regarding the incident.
In May 2020, Sidhu Moose Wala was involved in a controversy where videos of him training with an AK-47 and using a personal pistol surfaced online. This led to the suspension of six police officers who assisted him, and he was booked under the Arms Act. Moose Wala went into hiding to avoid arrest. On June 2, 2020, the Barnala District Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail.
In May 2020, Moose Wala released his second studio album, 'Snitches Get Stitches,' under his own label, further solidifying his independent music career. That same month, he released the heartfelt single 'Dear Mama' as a tribute to his mother on her birthday.
In June 2020, Sidhu Moose Wala teamed up with Amrit Maan for the song 'Bambiha Bole,' which quickly gained viral fame. The music video garnered over ten million views within its first twenty-four hours, demonstrating its instant appeal. The song's popularity translated into chart success, reaching number 1 in India and entering the top 50 in Canada and New Zealand on Apple Music charts. It also topped the UK Asian chart and secured a place in the top 5 of the Global YouTube charts, showcasing its widespread reach.
In June 2020, Sidhu Moose Wala was fined by police in Nabha for having tinted car windows beyond the permissible limit. Despite outstanding charges, he was allowed to leave after incorrectly claiming to be out on bail. In July 2020, he joined the police investigation and was granted regular bail. He also released a single, "Sanju," drawing a parallel to actor Sanjay Dutt's arrest under the Arms Act. The song sparked criticism, with Indian sport shooter Avneet Sidhu condemning it for promoting gun culture, leading to another case being registered against him.
In June 2020, Sidhu Moose Wala announced a new film project titled "Gunah".
On August 31, 2020, Moose Wala took a significant step in his music career by officially launching his own record label, 5911 Records, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and ambition to support other artists.
In September 2020, Moose Wala achieved a notable milestone when his collaboration with Shooter Kahlon, 'Game,' became his first song to appear on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart, signifying his breakthrough into the mainstream Canadian music scene.
In December 2020, Sidhu Moose Wala released the single "Panjab: My Motherland" in support of the Indian farmers' protest against the controversial 2020 Indian agriculture acts. The song sparked further debate by featuring clips of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, an orthodox Sikh militant, and speeches from Khalistan supporter Bharpur Singh Balbir.
In 2020, Sidhu Moose Wala gained significant recognition when The Guardian included him in their list of 50 up-and-coming artists. Adding to his achievements, he also became the first Punjabi and Indian singer to perform at the renowned Wireless Festival and was honored with four awards at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards.
In May 2021, Sidhu Moose Wala released his third studio album, 'Moosetape,' which achieved significant international recognition. The album secured a place on the New Zealand Top 40 Albums chart by Recorded Music NZ, and its singles performed well on various international charts, including the Billboard Global 200, Canadian Hot 100, and New Zealand Hot Singles charts.
Sidhu Moose Wala released the teaser for his upcoming movie, "Moosa Jatt," starring Sweetaj Brar and directed by Tru Makers on August 22, 2021. The next day, he announced another film, "Jattan Da Munda Gaun Lagya," directed by Amberdeep Singh, set to release on March 18, 2022.
On September 12, 2021, Sidhu Moose Wala made history by becoming the first Indian singer to perform at the prestigious Wireless Festival in London, sharing the stage with Mist. This performance marked a significant achievement in his career, highlighting his growing global recognition and influence.
On December 3, 2021, Sidhu Moose Wala joined the Indian National Congress (INC) to contest the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election.
In 2021, Sidhu Moose Wala decided to venture into politics by joining the Indian National Congress (INC) political party.
In 2021, Sidhu Moose Wala released 'Moosetape,' an album that gained international acclaim. The album's tracks appeared on prestigious global charts such as the Billboard Global 200, Billboard Global Excl. US, Canadian Hot 100, UK Asian, and New Zealand Hot charts, highlighting his expanding global reach. The album's success was further cemented when it became the first Indian album to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, a testament to its widespread popularity.
According to police investigations, the Bishnoi gang alleged that they killed Moose Wala in retaliation for the murder of Vicky Middukhera, an Akali leader, in 2021. They claimed, without legal evidence, that an aide of Moose Wala was involved in Middukhera's death. Canadian gangster Goldy Brar, a close associate of Bishnoi, also claimed responsibility.
Sidhu Moose Wala's film, "Jattan Da Munda Gaun Lagya," directed by Amberdeep Singh, was released on March 18, 2022.
In April 2022, Moose Wala released the EP 'No Name,' featuring collaborations with AR Paisley, Mr. Capone-E, and Sunny Malton. The EP debuted at No. 73 on Billboard's Canadian Albums chart. Several songs from the EP, including 'The Last Ride,' 'Levels,' 'Never Fold,' and '295,' secured positions on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart. 'The Last Ride' reached number 26, 'Levels' peaked at number 32, and 'Never Fold' reached number 97. Moreover, three of his songs, 'The Last Ride,' '295,' and 'Levels,' featured on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart, with 'The Last Ride' peaking at number 103, '295' at number 73, and 'Levels' at number 195, demonstrating his continued international success.
On April 11, 2022, Sidhu Moose Wala released a song titled "Scapegoat," expressing his disappointment over his loss in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticized the song, alleging that it implied voters who chose AAP were traitors and demanded an explanation from the INC.
On May 29, 2022, Sidhu Moose Wala's life was tragically cut short when he was fatally shot by unidentified assailants. A Canada-based gangster associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the murder, which authorities attributed to an ongoing feud between rival gangs.
Sidhu Moose Wala was tragically shot and killed on May 29, 2022. The incident was reported as the result of a rivalry between gangs.
Sidhu Moose Wala was shot and killed by unidentified assailants in his car on May 29, 2022, in Jawaharke village of Mansa, Punjab, India.
In June 2022, Sidhu Moose Wala's single 'SYL' (referring to the Satluj Yamuna link canal) achieved significant posthumous chart success, peaking at number 27 on the Canadian Hot 100, number 81 in Australia, number 3 in India, and number 200 on the Global Excl. US chart. This achievement served as a testament to his enduring impact and the resonance of his music even after his passing.
In June 2022, Sidhu Moose Wala's impact on the music industry and his tragic death continued to be widely discussed. The Globe and Mail, a Canadian newspaper, published an article highlighting his influence on Punjabi-Canadian youth, comparing his stature to that of Tupac Shakur in hip-hop culture.
In June 2022, Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, a notorious criminal organization, claimed responsibility for the murder of Sidhu Moose Wala in an unverified Facebook post. However, Bishnoi, who was already in police custody at the time, denied any involvement.
On June 23, 2022, Sidhu Moose Wala's first posthumous single, titled 'SYL,' was released, serving as a poignant reminder of his musical legacy.
Sidhu Moose Wala contested the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election from the Mansa constituency but lost to the Aam Aadmi Party's Vijay Singla by a significant margin.
In 2022, Moose Wala ran for the Punjab Legislative Assembly election representing Mansa but was unsuccessful in his bid.
Following Sidhu Moose Wala's death, the INC used his images in their election campaign song for the 2022 Sangrur Lok Sabha by-election. Moose Wala's family publicly urged political parties and individuals to refrain from using his name or image for political or personal gain. The AAP criticized the INC's actions.
During the 2022 Punjab Assembly election, a case was filed against Sidhu Moose Wala under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for violating the election code of conduct. He held a door-to-door campaign in Mansa after the official campaigning period had ended.