Streams of Punjabi music have seen a massive rise, but some fans aren't pleased with the direction the genre is heading in. The 2002-hit Mundian To Bach Ke by UK-based producer Panjabi MC is what put the music on the map for the very first time. Since then, the music has changed, and many more people are listening.
Data from Spotify shared exclusively with Sky News reveals that UK streams have risen by 286% over the past five years and a massive 2077% globally. "The signs are there that Punjabi music is only going to continue to grow in influence around the world," said Safiya Lambie Knight, head of music, UK & Ireland at Spotify. The blend with hip-hop alongside collaborations with mainstream artists such as Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran has captivated listeners, regardless of their spoken language.
With billions of views and streams, one of the top-performing artists in the genre right now is Karan Aujla. More on Music Texas to headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell punches guitarist Dave Navarro as US rock band's reunion gig ends in chaos Ticket troubles – can there be a better system? Related Topics: Music Originally from a village called Ghurala in India, the 27-year-old’s quick-witted bars and innovative melodies helped him make history earlier this year as the first Punjabi artist to win a Juno Award. Speaking exclusively to Sky News after his show at London's O2 arena, Aujla said: "I'm just a kid that came from nothing, from a small village.