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91ƵBigger than just music:91Ƶ Canadians remember Punjabi rapper 2 years after killing

Sidhu Moose Wala was ambushed while in India. Police blame his death on an inter-gang rivalry
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The mother, centre, relatives and friends of Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, also known around the world by his stage name Sidhu Moose Wala, arrive at a hospital after he was shot in Mansa, Punjab state, India, Sunday, May 29, 2022. On the day of his second death anniversary this week, Canadian fans of the rapper say they will be thinking about his transformation into a political icon after his killing because his music made references to Indian politics and the Sikh faith that remain relevant today.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP

Shub Karman was out for a recent walk in Calgary, when he passed a car full of kids singing along to the music of his favourite Punjabi rapper.

91ƵThe car was buzzing, the bass was on and there were all sorts of people sitting inside who were jamming to Sidhu Moose Wala,91Ƶ said Karman, a 30-year-old Punjabi-Canadian.

91ƵWhen I approached the car, I learned they werepeople who had no idea about Punjabi culture (and) what the song means for our culture.

91ƵBut they were vibing to it.

91ƵI felt a sense of pride.91Ƶ

Since then, Karman said he has also heard Moose Wala91Ƶs catchy beats and English and Punjabi lyrics in nightclubs and bars on the Prairies.

He said Moose Wala91Ƶs legacy has only grown since he was shot dead in an ambush in India on May 29, 2022. He was 28.

Fans worldwide are expected to remember and honour Moose Wala 91Ƶ for his music and politics 91Ƶ on the second anniversary of his death on Wednesday.

91ƵAt first, he was India91Ƶs response to one of the most dominant musical forms 91Ƶ hip hop 91Ƶ and it was something very new. He was raw. He was authentic,91Ƶ Karman said.

91ƵAfter his death, he and his music are considered revolutionary among the Punjabi youth because people all over the world, and those not from the Punjabi community, are now singing his songs. They are learning about Punjabi culture.91Ƶ

Calgarian Preet Sidhu said the music helps her family stay connected to their heritage.

91Ƶ(Moose Wala) raps about spirituality. He was advocating for respecting your parents and elders, hard work, courage, having a turban on and for speaking up for the things that matter,91Ƶ said the 36-year-old mother of two boys.

91ƵHe was bigger than just music.

91ƵHe was a way of being.91Ƶ

Moose Wala, born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, first garnered recognition when he released his song 91ƵSo High91Ƶ in 2017 as a 24-year-old international student in Brampton, Ont.

His appeal grew not only in Canada but also in the United Kingdom, with its large Punjabi diaspora.

In 2018, his debut album made it to the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. He eventually charted 13 songs on the Canadian Hot 100, some of them after his death.

Moose Wala91Ƶs popularity paved a path for a new generation of Punjabi artists in Canada, fusing traditional Punjabi folk tunes and the language with hip-hop and trap beats, including AP Dhillon. Dhillon made history at last year91Ƶs Juno Awards with its first Punjabi musical performance.

On May 29, 2022, Moose Wala was shot while driving his car in northern India91Ƶs Punjab state. His car was cut off by two other vehicles, and he was killed in a hail of bullets.

Indian police blamed the killing on an inter-gang rivalry.

A day earlier, media reported the Punjab government was ending security for more than 400 people, including Moose Wala, in a bid to clamp down on VIP culture.

A year earlier, Moose Wala had jumped into politics. He joined India91Ƶs Congress Party and unsuccessfully ran in the state91Ƶs assembly elections, courting controversy along the way.

91ƵHe was criticized in the beginning for promoting gun violence,91Ƶ Karman said.

91ƵThen he evolved. He began bringing in the history of Punjab into his music, the core issues affecting Punjab.91Ƶ Karman said Moose Wala fought for farmers91Ƶ rights and denounced how they were forced to sell crops to the government at a regulated price.

91ƵHis critique of the government struck a chord with everyone,91Ƶ Karman said.

That91Ƶs also why some supporters argue his death may be politically motivated, Karman added.

Rishi Nagar, who hosts a daily Punjabi radio show in Calgary, said fans still want justice for Moose Wala, but Wednesday will be about remembering him mainly as an artist.

91ƵMost of our music programs will be dedicated to his memories,91Ƶ he said.

91ƵFans are also holding a candlelight vigil at a local park. He has touched the pulse of the youth. He energized them.

91ƵPeople love his songs.91Ƶ

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91Ƶ With files from David Friend in Toronto and The Associated Press

Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press

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