Legendary Punjabi emcee and songwriter Sidhu Moose Wala, real name Shubhdeep Singh, passed away one year ago today. The Mansa-born Hip-Hop pioneer was shot dead by six assailants on May 29th 2022 in broad daylight.
The rapper, who was just 28 at the time of his controversial death, rose to global prominence for releasing some of the most influential rap records of our times. Throughout his brief yet affecting career in rap music, Moose Wala furthered India’s reputation as one of the leading voices in global rap music and breathed new life into a sub-genre which was still limited to India at the time.
Whether it was his sprawling full-length debut with the “PBX1” LP or his sophomore, and also his last LP, “Moosetape”, Moosa’s music inspired generations of Indian emcees across the globe and served as a provocative assertion of India’s extraordinary rap bravado across the U.S., U.K. and rest of the world.
Moose Wala’s record “295” posthumously charted at 154th position on the mainstream Billboard 200 chart and turned Moosa into a worldwide rap superstar. The legendary ‘Mera Na’ emcee and singer was the first Indian Punjabi artist to do so. Moose Wala’s magnum opus is home to far-reaching visuals for a slew of rap records from the album.
As Moose Wala established his stature as Hip-Hop’s next global phenomenon and was, perhaps, gearing up for more iconic rap records, he was shot dead in an infamous shooting on May 29th 2022. For many, Moose Wala paved the way for Indian emcees and record producers to achieve worldwide recognition.
His accomplishments are several and the legacy that he left behind is remembered forever. Rest in Peace to Sidhu Moose Wala – the greatest to ever do it.
After a year of his death, Moose Wala is yet to receive justice.
Listen to Sidhu Moose Wala’s hard-hitting LPs and his latest posthumous effort with Steel Banglez ‘Mera Na’ here via Spotify.
