Sidhu Moose Wala: 'The thing that makes him so iconic is his struggle' - a report from Brampton

'Tenu pata, this is Brampton...where everything and anything can happen' - Sidhu Moose Wala in B-Town

In 2016, an Indian student from Punjab arrived in Canada. The reason is not so noteworthy since many Indians come to Canada every year either to study or earn money. What is noteworthy is that the student from Punjab's Mansa district took just a year to make such music that rocketed him to fame and bracketed him with top Punjabi rap and pop singers. It was none other than Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, better known by the stage name Sidhu Moose Wala.

Moose Wala completed his engineering from Punjab's Ludhiana, came to Canada and got himself enrolled at Humber College in Etobicoke, and lived at Brampton in Canada's Ontario province for several years while advancing his career in the Punjabi music industry. His ability to mix traditional and rap music made Moose Wala an international sensation in a short period of time. Another aspect that helped him gain fame was his ability to connect with people in Brampton.

Brampton is located northwest of Toronto. Additionally referred to as 'Browntown', 'Bramladesh', or 'Singhdale', this city is home to a significant number of South Asians. As per the 2011 Census, visible minorities comprised two-thirds of Brampton's population. Brampton is said to be home to nearly 40 per cent South Asians, and Sikhs make up almost 20 per cent. Many Indian students and immigrants, especially from Punjab, can be seen living in Brampton.

The city has gained popularity in recent years as a powerhouse in the Punjabi music industry. In fact, Moose Wala dedicated his song 'B-Town' to Brampton, where he earned his success. In his Punjabi film 'Yes I Am A Student' released last year, Moose Wala explored the hardships of international students but inspired them never to give up. He is said to have had a significant influence on many people coming to Canada. Although he was born in Punjab, the singer-turned-actor-turned-politician made Brampton his second home.

"It was Sidhu Moose Wala, who motivated me to come from India to Canada. It was also Sidhu Moose Wala, who made me choose Brampton as the place for my new life in Canada," said Gurpreet Singh, who arrived in the Ontario province in 2018.

The path he took in his career, his struggles, and his time in Canada made international students as well as immigrants feel that Sidhu Moose Wala was one of them. Therefore, for them, his success was their own, and his death was their personal loss.

"His music and personality have always been an inspiration to me and others in Brampton," said Vicky while talking to Times Now.

He added: "As an international student in Canada, Moose Wala lived with some boys his age in a basement apartment. He started out like the rest of us, and within a year he became a star. The thing that makes him so iconic is his struggle."

After talking to a number of youngsters who almost idolise Moose Wala, I realised that Sidhu Moose Wala's music resonated with them because it spoke about "gaining power", it spoke about "self-respect", it spoke about "challenging the system".

Another immigrant, Charanjit Singh, said that it was because of Sidhu Moose Wala, "we think immigrants can earn a living through creative endeavours". Charanjit moonlights as a truck driver but dreams of becoming a music video director in Brampton. "All you have to do is keep going.”

Sidhu's music emphasised asserting power. This assertion of power gave much strength to people who consider themselves powerless in Brampton. People who expressed their outrage through his music are feeling an immense sense of loss due to Moose Wala's death.

The renowned rapper had a number of hit tracks under his belt, including 'Legend', 'Just Listen', 'Devil', 'Jatt da Muqabala' and 'Hathyar'. In fact, many of his songs appeared on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 charts. The Guardian named him among the "best new artists" of 2020.

Moose Wala undoubtedly broke many records, but he also often ended up in legal trouble. In his track, 'Jatti Jeonay Morh Di Bandook Wargi', he allegedly misused the name of 18th-century Sikh warrior Mai Bhago, causing panthic bodies to ask for his arrest for hurting Sikh sentiments. Afterwards, he apologised.

Apart from writing and singing songs, he also acted and became involved in politics. He joined the Congress party on December 3, 2021, and contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly Elections. Moose Wala was also accused of promoting violence and glorifying gun culture in his songs. The 2021 video for his song 'Me and My Girlfriend' featured him proudly holding an AK-47.

Ironic, isn't it? On May 29, Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead in broad daylight near his ancestral village in Mansa district. The singer accused of glorifying gun culture ultimately succumbed to one. A post-mortem report indicated that roughly 22 bullets had lodged in Moose Wala's body from the 30 rounds fired at him from the AK-47 and AN-94 assault rifles.

The Delhi Police said Moose Wala's murder was the work of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in Tihar Jail. However, they have not yet explained how Bishnoi conspired with others to carry out the assassination despite being incarcerated in the high-security prison.