
Punjabi music is enjoying a remarkable rise in popularity-and not just with listeners in India, but also among the diaspora and broader global audiences. Of the 10 most-streamed songs in India in 2022, four were in Punjabi, with Excuses by AP Dhillon, Intense, and Gurinder Gill taking the top spot as the most-streamed song and Moosetape, by the late Sidhu Moose Wala, nabbing the spot for the most-streamed album. Outside of India, Punjabi artists have been lighting up the stage at some of the world's top events, representing the community and the demand for this music beyond the home country.
Today Punjabi is one of the most-streamed music languages on Spotify in India, with playlists such as Punjabi 101 and Hot Hits Punjabi emerging as the go-to destinations for listeners to discover the best and biggest hits, says Rahul Balyan, Spotify's Head of Music for India. The global recognition for Punjabi artists is evident with moments like Diljit Dosanjh's recent gig at Coachella, a first for any Punjabi artist, and AP Dhillon's performance at the Juno Awards in Canada earlier this year.
Recently, Spotify partnered with music labels in India to launch three new Spotify Singles: Maan Punjabi by Tarsem Jassar, Raanjha by Nimrat Khaira, and Challa by Gurdas Maan and Diljit Dosanjh. These tracks highlight the true breadth of Punjabi music's folk roots and traditional sound mixed with the modern, global elements that have put the scene on the world's must-listen list.
Speaking to the adoption of these international sounds in Punjabi music, Nimrat Khaira, one of India's most popular singers, tells For the Record, The Punjabi music industry is inspiring the world, and the world's music, in turn, is inspiring us. Our music is an amalgamation of hip-hop, pop, rock, and classical, so it truly is made up of a global sound. She adds, We commonly use piano and guitar in Punjabi music, which makes the music familiar to the global audience. These two instruments are now becoming an imperative part of the Punjabi music industry.
The growing popularity of Punjabi pop around the world has also led to some of its elements making their way into international music. Punjabi music is influencing international beat patterns by reintroducing Punjabi beats based on instruments such as the dhol, sitar, and flute, and percussion instruments-like the tabla, says Indo-Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter Karan Aujla. It's fascinating to see our community and all our hard work expand so much.
Punjabi music is influencing music today by connecting with people that are hungry for art, says Ikky, a Canadian music producer who has worked with some of the biggest Punjabi artists in the world today, including Diljit Dosanjh and Shubh. Punjabi people tend to support their own, and I think the music industry picks up on that.
This growth is only set to continue, these artists believe. Punjabi music is in a position like never before, says Nimrat Khaira. Millions of people are listening to it, humming it, and dancing to it. The entire credit goes to the artists and their teams who have been making some Earth-shattering content that is blowing up the international market. From here I just know there's no looking back. B Praak, an Indian singer, composer, music director, and producer, says, We are present in almost all the continents now. Our aim is to present Punjabi music at the Oscars soon!
If you're beginning your journey into Punjabi music, Karan Aujla recommends the track Gangsta, which he made with YG, to further recognize the melodies and rhyme patterns of Punjabi hip-hop songs. B Praak, whose favorite genre is sad romantic, recommends starting with his track Mann Bharrya. And Ikky, who enjoys Punjabi pop, suggests Summer High by AP Dhillon.
Listen to the latest trending tracks in Punjabi with our Punjabi 101 playlist
More from Spotify
14/10/2025
Lossless ist jetzt mit Spotify Premium verf gbar.
Verlustfreies Audio war eine...
14/10/2025
La qualit Lossless est disponible sur Spotify Premium.
Le format sans perte de...
14/10/2025
For the seventh edition of Spotify and FC Barcelona's artist jersey series, ...
14/10/2025
Spotify is committed to bringing the best listening experience to all our users, and that includes parents and families. That's why we're expanding mana...
14/10/2025
Since its debut, the Spotify Original podcast Caso 63 has been more than just a story; it's been a cultural sensation. The science fiction thriller captivat...
14/10/2025
Desde su debut, el podcast original de Spotify Caso 63 ha sido mucho m s que una historia: se ha convertido en un fen meno cultural. Este thriller de ciencia fi...
14/10/2025
Lossless p Spotify Premium r h r.
Lossless-ljud har varit en av de mest efterl ngtade funktionerna p Spotify och nu, ntligen, har den b rjat rullas ut til...
14/10/2025
Early next year, your favorite video podcasts are getting a bigger stage. Spotify and Netflix are teaming up to bring sports, culture, lifestyle, and true crime...
09/10/2025
This World Mental Health Day, Spotify is helping listeners slow down, reconnect,...
09/10/2025
Ariana Grande fans, the moment has arrived. Whether you've loved Ariana sinc...
09/10/2025
When we introduced the inaugural Spotify x JED Impact Award earlier this year, o...
09/10/2025
From its vibrant Indian origin to playlists spanning the globe, Punjabi music is having a moment. Today in India, it stands among the most-streamed music langua...
08/10/2025
Spotify and BMG have entered into a direct, multiyear US publishing licensing agreement designed to deliver greater value to songwriters and their teams.
This...
08/10/2025
Spotify's commitment to supporting women in music spans genres, generations,...
08/10/2025
Spotify is always evolving to give listeners more control, more personalization, and more ways to connect. Whether you're a playlist curator, a casual liste...
07/10/2025
Last week in Lagos, the lines between music and fashion blurred in electrifying new ways. Afrobeats: Culture in Motion-a bold collaboration between Lagos-based ...
07/10/2025
Spotify Advertising is launching a new campaign for marketers: Tunetorials, wher...
06/10/2025
Spotify is everywhere you listen (and watch): in the car, on your TV, and even while gaming - with integrations across more than 2,000 devices. Every listener...
06/10/2025
Football season is in full swing, and Spotify has you covered with a lineup of podcasts that capture the excitement, drama, and insider perspectives fans crave....
03/10/2025
The Toast, the wildly popular daily podcast from sisters Claudia and Jackie Oshry, is now on video on Spotify. Fans can tune in each week to watch the duo's...
03/10/2025
Taylor Swift has done it again. On October 3, The Life of a Showgirl became Spot...
02/10/2025
For so many of us, movement is about more than just exercise-it's a way to b...
01/10/2025
In Colombia, the sound of success for female artists is unmistakable, and much of that success is fueled by female fans. According to Spotify data, 58% of liste...
01/10/2025
En Colombia, el sonido del xito de las artistas femeninas es inconfundible, y gran parte de ese impulso viene de las fans mujeres. Seg n datos de Spotify, el 5...
01/10/2025
Personalization is at the heart of Spotify. When you ask listeners what they lov...
01/10/2025
Earlier this year during Spotify Advance, we announced a series of updates to make advertising on Spotify more flexible and automated. Today, we're building...
30/09/2025
The following press release went live on Business Wire earlier today. You can al...
30/09/2025
Spotify and Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world's leading independents, today announced the renewal of their global, multiyear licensi...
30/09/2025
Earlier today, Founder & CEO Daniel Ek shared the following note with all Spotify employees. More detail can also be found in the press release here.
Team,
I...
25/09/2025
You might be seeing some misinformation online about a change to Spotify's Terms of Use and their impact on artists, authors, and creators. These claims are...
25/09/2025
Musik wurde schon immer von Technologie gepr gt. Von Mehrspur-Tonbandger ten ber Synthesizer bis hin zu digitalen Audio Workstations und Auto-Tune - jede Gener...
25/09/2025
A m sica sempre foi moldada pela tecnologia. Do multipista e sintetizadores s esta es de trabalho digitais de udio e ao Auto-Tune, cada gera o de artistas e...
25/09/2025
Music has always been shaped by technology. From multitrack tape and synthesizers to digital audio workstations and Auto-Tune, every generation of artists and p...
25/09/2025
La m sica siempre ha estado moldeada por la tecnolog a. Desde la grabaci n multipista y los sintetizadores hasta las estaciones de trabajo de audio digital y el...
25/09/2025
La musique a toujours volu avec la technologie. De la bande multipiste et des synth tiseurs aux stations audionum riques et l'Auto-Tune, chaque g n rati...
25/09/2025
Swifties, get ready. To celebrate the upcoming release of Taylor Swift's The...
24/09/2025
For DJs, there's nothing quite like the thrill of mixing tracks and building the perfect set. Now, Spotify Premium users will be able to access their entire...
24/09/2025
Forget the red carpet and velvet ropes. To mark the release of her new album, Lola Young decided to invite fans into her world. Last week, she welcomed her top ...
23/09/2025
From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Latin Heritage Month, a time to honor the culture, creativity, and voices of Latin communities around the world. I...
23/09/2025
Music and streetwear have always spoken the same language, and Spotify is turnin...
23/09/2025
When Bad Bunny announced his first-ever residency in his native Puerto Rico, it ...
22/09/2025
The silence came first. In the spring of 2020, as the world locked its doors, the exuberant, continent-spanning pulse of Afrobeats suddenly had nowhere to go. D...
22/09/2025
On November 14, 2023, at London's O2 Arena, Rema made an unforgettable entrance. Stadiumgoers held their collective breath as he rode onto the stage on a bl...
22/09/2025
It's the mid-'90s and the song Allen Avenue can be heard through speakers on the streets of Lagos. This classic by the London-born Nigerian rapper Wei...
22/09/2025
In the stillness of a lockdown caused by a global pandemic, Afrobeats did not stall. It recalibrated. Deprived of dance floors and festival stages, the genre...
22/09/2025
About 50 kilometers southeast of the Colombian city of Cartagena rests the villa...
22/09/2025
Last month, Spotify introduced the ability for Premium users to mix their own pl...
18/09/2025
Forget just hearing a new album; last night, London lived one. Together with Spo...
18/09/2025
Spotify and Sony Music Group today announced an extension and expansion of their long-standing, successful global partnership. As part of their ongoing collabor...
17/09/2025
It was the ultimate convergence of pop culture and literary prestige: Last night, Dua Lipa brought her Service95 Book Club podcast to the stage for a special li...