It was 3 AM on a Tuesday when I finally admitted I had a problem. There I was, huddled under my comforter, headphones blasting Diljit Dosanjh’s “Born to Shine” for the fourteenth time that night, scrolling through decades-old YouTube videos of Gurdas Maan performances like some digital archaeologist. My partner had long since retreated to the guest room, muttering something about “that damn Punjabi music obsession.”
She wasn’t wrong.
What started five years ago as casual interest after attending a friend’s wedding in Chandigarh had morphed into something else entirely. The rhythmic dhol beats, the seamless blend of traditional folk with contemporary sounds, the raw emotional delivery that transcended my limited understanding of the lyrics, I was hooked in a way that felt almost spiritual.
Somewhere between repeatedly watching Sidhu Moose Wala interviews and creating elaborate Spotify playlists organized by obscure subgenres of Punjabi music that possibly only exist in my mind, I realized I should probably channel this obsession into something productive. Hence, this extremely subjective, definitely biased, but thoroughly researched deep dive into what I consider the top ten Punjabi singers who have shaped not just regional music, but global sounds.
Fair warning: I will fight you on these choices. Let’s go.
The Pillars and the Revolutionaries | Defining the Top Ten Punjabi Singers
Before diving into my list, let me clarify something. Creating a definitive ranking of the top ten Punjabi singers is like trying to pick your favorite child—if you had hundreds of exceptionally talented children and were forced to disown all but ten of them. It’s painful, it’s unfair, and someone’s definitely going to be upset with my choices.
But here’s the thing: Punjabi music isn’t just entertainment; it’s cultural documentation. Each artist I’ve selected represents not just a voice but an entire era or movement within Punjabi cultural expression. From the villages of Punjab to international stages, these artists have carried forward a tradition while continuously reinventing it.
Actually, that sounds too academic. Let me be real: these are the voices that have made me laugh, cry, dance embarrassingly at weddings, and occasionally explain to confused coworkers why I’m emotionally devastated by lyrics I can only partially translate. These are the voices that matter—at least to me.
The Legends Who Built The Foundation
1. Gurdas Maan – The Philosopher King
You simply cannot talk about Punjabi music without bowing to Gurdas Maan first. I discovered him relatively late in my journey, which feels like admitting I only recently learned about The Beatles.
What struck me about Maan wasn’t just his impossibly smooth voice or his four-decade staying power, but the philosophical depth he brings to what could otherwise be simple folk tunes. Songs like “Challa” aren’t just meant to be heard; they’re meant to be contemplated. The man has released over 34 albums and still performs with the energy of someone half his age.
I remember stumbling upon a live performance of his in London where he seamlessly wove social commentary about Punjabi cultural loss with humor and profound insights—all while maintaining that hypnotic rhythm that keeps your head nodding. That’s his superpower: making you dance while simultaneously making you think.
According to Punjab Cultural Heritage Board’s 2021 impact study, Maan’s lyrics are among the most quoted in academic works about Punjabi cultural identity. Not bad for a guy who started by performing at village gatherings.
2. Diljit Dosanjh – The Crossover King
I’m not sure when exactly Diljit Dosanjh went from being a Punjabi music star to a global cultural icon, but I suspect it happened somewhere between his scene-stealing role in “Udta Punjab” and the moment he stood up to Kangana Ranaut on Twitter in defense of the farmers’ protests. The man contains multitudes.
But before all that, there was the music. My god, the music.
What makes Diljit fascinating isn’t just his impossibly smooth vocals or his production choices—though both are exceptional. It’s his chameleon-like ability to shape-shift between hardcore Punjabi folk traditions and ultra-modern soundscapes without ever seeming inauthentic in either space. One minute he’s honoring religious traditions with “Ek Onkar,” and the next he’s dropping “G.O.A.T.” with bass lines that threaten to blow out your car speakers.
I first encountered his music through “Proper Patola” back in 2013, but it was “Do You Know” that turned me from a casual listener to a superfan. There’s something in his vocal control—the way he can shift from powerful to vulnerable in the same phrase—that feels almost impossibly intimate.
A friend who works in music production in Mumbai told me something interesting: apparently Diljit records most vocals in single takes, a rarity in today’s heavily processed music landscape. “His pitch control is so natural it almost breaks our tuning software,” she said. Whether that’s industry legend or fact, it feels true to anyone who’s deeply listened to his catalog.
The Voice That Left Too Soon
3. Sidhu Moose Wala – The Truth-Teller
I still remember exactly where I was when I heard about Sidhu Moose Wala’s murder in May 2022. Standing in my kitchen, scrolling through Twitter, coffee mug slipping from my hand and shattering on the tile. It felt personal in a way that celebrity deaths rarely do.
Here’s what made Sidhu special: he was uncompromisingly, brutally authentic in an industry that often rewards conformity. His lyrics didn’t just entertain; they documented the complex realities of Punjab—its struggles with drugs, its political complexities, its diaspora experiences. Songs like “295” weren’t just bangers; they were sociopolitical statements dressed in irresistible hooks.
Was he controversial? Absolutely. Some of his lyrics glorified violence and gun culture in ways that made even devoted fans like me uncomfortable. But that’s the complexity of authentic artistry—it doesn’t always fit neatly into moral boxes.
What’s fascinating to me is how his posthumous legacy has evolved. According to streaming data compiled by Rolling Stone India last year, his music has been streamed over 10 billion times since his death, with massive listenership not just in India and Pakistan but in unexpected markets like Brazil and Japan. His voice has become a symbol of resistance and authenticity that transcends cultural boundaries.
The way I see it, we lost not just a singer but a cultural documentarian who was just hitting his stride. What a loss.
The Queens of Punjabi Music
4. Miss Pooja – The Collaboration Mastermind
Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the absolute dominance of Miss Pooja in a male-dominated industry. While researching for this piece, I came across an astonishing statistic from the Punjabi Music Industry Association, she has recorded over 3,000 songs and 350+ albums, potentially making her one of the most prolific recording artists in the world, regardless of genre.
But what really sets her apart isn’t just quantity, it’s her collaborative spirit. Miss Pooja pioneered the duet format in modern Punjabi music, partnering with over 150 different male singers. Each collaboration brought something unique, but her voice powerful, distinctive, immediately recognizable always remained constant.
I discovered her through “Romantic Jatt” with Honey Singh back in my college days, but it was “Date on Ford” that really showcased her versatility for me. There’s something almost architectural about the way she constructs her vocal performances building from a solid foundation to ornate, impressive heights.
Wait, I’m starting to sound like a music critic again. Let me get personal: Miss Pooja’s music got me through some seriously dark times. During a particularly brutal breakup in 2018, I had “Yaadan” on repeat so consistently that my Spotify Wrapped that year was basically just her face. Something about the emotional honesty in her delivery made me feel understood when nothing else did.
5. Kaur B – The New Classic
I’m going to make a controversial statement: Kaur B might be the most technically gifted vocalist in contemporary Punjabi music. There, I said it.
The first time I heard “Butterfly,” I had to stop what I was doing and immediately look up who was singing. The clarity, the control, the effortless shifts between chest voice and head voice, It was masterclass-level vocal performance wrapped in an accessible, catchy package.
What makes Kaur B fascinating is how she balances traditional Punjabi vocal ornamentation with modern precision. In an industry that sometimes prioritizes style over substance, she brings both in equal measure. According to a 2022 interview in Punjabi Rhythms magazine, she still practices riaz (vocal exercises) for three hours daily—a commitment to craft that’s increasingly rare.
I’ve followed her career closely since 2015, and what impresses me most is her selectivity. In an industry where churning out content is often the path to relevance, she’s remarkably choosy about her projects. Each release feels intentional, considered.
But I’ll admit, I’m still waiting for that one definitive Kaur B album, A complete artistic statement that showcases every facet of her remarkable talent. Based on her recent Instagram hints, we might not have to wait much longer.
The Revolutionary Voices
6. AP Dhillon – The Global Futurist
I have a confession: I initially dismissed AP Dhillon. When “Brown Munde” exploded in 2020, I wrote it off as trendy fluff that would disappear in a month. Three years and billions of streams later, I’m eating my words and loving every minute of it.
What makes Dhillon important isn’t just his commercial success though becoming the first Punjabi artist to hit Billboard’s Global 200 is certainly noteworthy. It’s how he’s reimagining what Punjabi music can sound like in the 2020s. The production on tracks like “Excuses” and “Summer High” brings together trap influences, R&B sensibilities, and traditional Punjabi elements in ways that feel boundary-pushing yet somehow inevitable.
His voice itself is an instrument of contrast often heavily processed and autotuned, yet conveying genuine emotion through the technological filter. It’s like he’s using the tools of modern music production not as crutches but as expressive devices in themselves.
I caught his Coachella performance online last year and was struck by something unexpected: beneath the carefully crafted image and cutting-edge production lies seriously impressive musicality. When he stripped back “Desires” to just vocals and minimal backing, the raw talent became undeniable.
According to Spotify’s cultural trends analyst Nisha Gopalan, Dhillon’s music has been instrumental in bringing Punjabi sounds to listeners who wouldn’t typically seek out South Asian music. “His sound serves as a gateway,” she noted in a 2023 panel on global music trends. “Listeners come for the familiar trap elements but stay for the Punjabi cultural influences they might not have otherwise encountered.”
Is he a traditionalist’s nightmare? Possibly. Is he expanding the very definition of what Punjabi music can be? Absolutely.
7. Amar Singh Chamkila – The Forbidden Voice
This one’s a time machine entry, and I recognize that many younger readers might be discovering Chamkila through Diljit’s recent portrayal of him rather than through his actual music. But ignoring Chamkila in a list of influential Punjabi singers would be like writing about rock music and pretending Elvis never existed.
Here’s what fascinates me about Chamkila: in the conservative Punjab of the 1980s, he was singing explicitly about topics that would make people blush even today. Marriage, desire, infidelity, class conflict—nothing was off-limits. His authenticity eventually cost him his life; he was assassinated in 1988 at the age of 27.
I discovered his music during a deep-dive research phase for a personal writing project about Punjabi cultural history. What struck me wasn’t just the controversial lyrics but the mesmerizing quality of his voice untrained yet perfectly suited to the raw, unfiltered nature of his songs.
According to musicologist Dr. Jasdeep Singh’s analysis in his book “Forbidden Rhythms: The Sociocultural Impact of Chamkila’s Music,” what made Chamkila revolutionary wasn’t just his willingness to tackle taboo subjects but his democratization of Punjabi music. “He brought the unspoken realities of rural Punjab into the musical mainstream, giving voice to experiences that had been systematically excluded from cultural expression.”
The enduring power of Chamkila’s music is evident in its continued relevance. Despite limited recordings and no official music videos, his songs accumulate millions of streams and continue to influence contemporary artists. Some things are simply timeless.
The Bridge Builders
8. Guru Randhawa – The Hitmaker
I have a love-hate relationship with Guru Randhawa’s music. On one hand, songs like “Lahore” and “High Rated Gabru” are so catchy they should be classified as controlled substances. On the other hand, the extreme commercial polish sometimes leaves me wanting more depth.
But here’s what I’ve come to appreciate about Guru: he’s perhaps the most effective ambassador Punjabi music has had in the last decade. His collaborations with international artists like Pitbull and his consistent presence in Bollywood have created a bridge between Punjabi music and global pop in ways few others have managed.
What makes Guru interesting as a vocalist isn’t technical virtuosity but his distinctive tone instantly recognizable within seconds. In a 2021 masterclass at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, vocal coach Samantha Roberts used his recordings to demonstrate “vocal fingerprinting”, The unique combination of timbre, pronunciation, and phrasing that makes a voice immediately identifiable.
I saw him perform live at a festival in 2019, and what surprised me most was his versatility. The recorded Guru Randhawa is all polished pop perfection, but live, he showed impressive range, even performing unplugged versions of his hits that revealed the solid songwriting beneath the production sheen.
Is he creating the most lyrically complex or musically innovative work? Perhaps not. But his contribution to making Punjabi music globally accessible cannot be overstated. Sometimes, cultural bridges are built one earworm at a time.
9. Jasmine Sandlas – The Fearless Storyteller
If I had to pick one artist from this list who deserves far more recognition than she currently receives, it would be Jasmine Sandlas. Her voice has this extraordinary quality, A slight rasp that conveys both vulnerability and strength, sometimes within the same note.
What sets Sandlas apart is her commitment to storytelling with unflinching honesty. Songs like “Illegal Weapon” and “Bamb Jatt” showcase her technical prowess, but it’s tracks like “Sip Sip” and “F Dieta” that reveal her as a cultural commentator unafraid to challenge patriarchal norms and expectations.
I first encountered her music through “Yaar Naa Miley” from Kick, but it was her independent releases that really captured my attention. There’s something revolutionary about a woman in Punjabi music writing and performing lyrics that directly challenge the status quo, especially given the industry’s historic sidelining of female artists.
According to music journalist Manpreet Kaur’s analysis in her 2022 piece “Breaking Boundaries: Women in Contemporary Punjabi Music,” Sandlas represents a crucial evolution: “Unlike previous generations of female Punjabi artists who were primarily presented as counterparts to male singers, Sandlas creates on her own terms, centering female experiences in ways that are both commercially viable and culturally significant.”
Her 2019 appearance on the podcast “South Asian Creatives” revealed something I found particularly compelling: despite her modern sound, she’s deeply knowledgeable about traditional Punjabi folk music and cites rural women’s work songs (sithniyan) as a major influence. That grounding in tradition while pushing boundaries feels like exactly what keeps Punjabi music vital.
10. Parmish Verma – The Visual Innovator
My final spot caused me the most internal debate. There are at least five other artists who could justifiably claim this position. But I’m giving it to Parmish Verma for a specific reason: he fundamentally changed how Punjabi music is visualized.
Before Parmish’s breakthrough with “Gaal Ni Kadni,” Punjabi music videos had fallen into predictable patterns. His cinematic approach, Influenced by his film director background elevated the visual component of Punjabi music to an art form in itself. According to filmmaker Anand Mishra’s analysis in Cinema Punjab Quarterly, “Verma brought a distinctive visual grammar to Punjabi music videos, treating each one as a short film rather than a promotional tool.”
Vocally, what makes Parmish interesting is the conversational quality of his delivery. He doesn’t have the technical range of others on this list, but there’s an authenticity to his performance that creates immediate connection. Songs like “Shada” and “Chal Oye” showcase his ability to convey complex emotions through relatively straightforward delivery.
I became a fan after repeatedly watching the “Chirri Udd Kaa Udd” video, struck by how the visuals and music worked together to tell a complete story. That holistic approach to music as multidimensional art rather than just audio performance represents an important evolution in how Punjabi music reaches its audience.
What truly secured his spot on my list was witnessing the influence his visual approach has had on the entire industry. Scroll through Punjabi music videos from before and after 2017, and the “Parmish effect” becomes undeniable production values increased, narrative complexity deepened, and visual innovation became an expectation rather than an exception.
The Beat Goes On | Why These Voices Matter
Looking back at this list, I realize something important: what we’re calling “Punjabi music” isn’t one thing, It’s dozens of overlapping traditions, innovations, and experiments happening simultaneously. From Gurdas Maan’s philosophical folk to AP Dhillon’s futuristic trap-influenced sounds, this is a musical ecosystem of extraordinary diversity.
What binds these top ten Punjabi singers—beyond their use of the Punjabi language, Is their role as cultural storytellers. Whether through Chamkila’s unflinching portraits of rural life, Sidhu Moose Wala’s political commentary, or Jasmine Sandlas’ challenges to patriarchal norms, these aren’t just entertainers but chroniclers of Punjabi experience in all its complexity.
I started this journey as a casual listener who couldn’t tell a dhol from a tumbi. Now, several years and thousands of listening hours later, I find myself evangelizing about Punjabi music to anyone who will listen. This music has given me joy, emotional catharsis, and connection to a cultural tradition I might otherwise never have encountered.
So yes, my partner is right, I do have a Punjabi music obsession. But after reading this, maybe you’ll develop one too. The dhol beat is infectious that way.
FAQ:
Why aren’t artists like Honey Singh or Badshah on your list of top ten Punjabi singers?
Great question! While both Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah have had enormous commercial impact and definitely incorporated Punjabi elements in their music, I consider them primarily Hindi/Bollywood artists who use Punjabi rather than dedicated Punjabi musicians. Their catalogs are predominantly Hindi, with Punjabi as a flavor rather than the foundation. That said, their influence on bringing Punjabi sounds to mainstream audiences is undeniable, and a list of “most influential artists in popularizing Punjabi music elements” would absolutely include them near the top!
I’m new to Punjabi music which of these top ten Punjabi singers should I start with?
If you’re just dipping your toes in, I’d recommend starting with Diljit Dosanjh particularly his album “G.O.A.T.” or singles like “Lover” and “Born to Shine.” His music bridges traditional and contemporary sounds in ways that are accessible to newcomers. AP Dhillon’s “Hidden Gems” is another great entry point if you’re coming from a hip-hop/R&B background. Then maybe explore backward to some Gurdas Maan classics like “Challa” to understand the roots. The beautiful thing about Punjabi music is its diversity keep exploring until something clicks!
What’s with all the gun references in modern Punjabi music videos?
This is a complex cultural question! The imagery around guns in Punjabi music connects to multiple factors: historical traditions of Punjabi martial culture, socioeconomic signifiers of power and status, influences from North American hip-hop aesthetics, and sometimes simply shocking visuals to drive view counts. Artists like Sidhu Moose Wala (who tragically died from gun violence) incorporated these elements while also offering commentary on their consequences. It’s worth noting that many artists, including several on my top ten Punjabi singers list like Diljit and Jasmine Sandlas, have deliberately moved away from this imagery in recent years, focusing on different visual storytelling approaches.
Are there any major female Punjabi singers besides the ones you mentioned?
Absolutely! The Punjabi music industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but that’s changing rapidly. Beyond Miss Pooja, Kaur B, and Jasmine Sandlas from my list, there are incredible artists like Nimrat Khaira (her song “Suit Punjabi” is fantastic), Sunanda Sharma (check out “Morni”), Mannat Noor, and the legendary Surinder Kaur who pioneered female voices in Punjabi music. The new generation includes promising artists like Afsana Khan and Baani Sandhu who are making significant impacts. While they didn’t make my personal top ten, many would justifiably include them in theirs!
How can I tell the difference between Punjabi folk music and modern Punjabi pop?
Traditional Punjabi folk music typically features acoustic instruments like the dhol (drum), algoza (double flute), tumbi (single-string instrument), and chimta (percussion tool), with vocal styles featuring complex ornamentations and often call-and-response patterns. Modern Punjabi pop incorporates electronic production, Western harmony structures, and global genre influences like hip-hop, R&B, and EDM. Artists like Gurdas Maan bridge these worlds, while someone like AP Dhillon represents contemporary evolution. If you’re curious about pure traditional forms, look up recordings of Punjabi folk styles like jhumar, dhadi, and gidda. The beauty of many top ten Punjabi singers today is how they weave these traditional elements into contemporary productions!
