Photo: Karan Aujla
Punjabi Hip-Hop/Rap and R&B pioneer Karan Aujla, born Jaskaran Singh Aujla, has premiered his massive pop record and sophomore album “Making Memories”. Executive produced by Punjabi Hip-Hop superproducer Ikky, the long-awaited album features guest appearances by young Toronto-bred pop singer Preston Pablo and New York-based singer Yarah.
Released at midnight, the LP clocks in at just 25 minutes and traverses nine evocative Punjabi pop records – “Girl, I Love You (Euro’s Intro)”, “What…?”, “Jee Ni Lagda”, “Try Me”, “Champion’s Anthem”, “Softly”, “You”, “Bachke Bachke” featuring Yarah and its lead single “Admirin’ You” featuring Preston Pablo.
Across the hard-hitting album, which brings together “folk and Punjabi melodies” and experimental “Western beats”, Aujla strives to deliver his most lethal rap verses and flagrant pop vocals.
For Aujla, the “Making Memories” album serves as the follow-up to another Ikky-produced Punjabi EP “Four You”. The album has been long overdue. Geetan Di Machine, who continues to release massive Punjabi records, released his debut album “Bacthafu*up” two years ago.
Released on 21 September 2021, the debut LP arrived amidst the sprawling release of Sidhu Moose Wala‘s final studio album “Moosetape” and consisted of Aujla’s breakthrough Punjabi folk & pop records including “Boli”, “Feel The Flava”, “Ford”, “Itz A Hustle”, “Click That B Clickin It” & more.
Ahead of the album, Aujla premiered the massive lead single “Admirin’ You” on 4th August. Featuring Preston Pablo, the single marked the Punjabi singer’s foray into incendiary pop music and drew influence from classic 80s discotheque and pop.
Most recently, “Admirin’ You” razed through the Billboard Hot 100 Canada chart to debut at the 29th spot and replaced Travis Scott‘s historic rap record “K-Pop” featuring The Weeknd & Latin Hip-Hop pioneer Bad Bunny.
The “Making Memories” album now paves the way for Aujla’s global tour. Earlier this month, Aujla abruptly announced the “Making Memories World Tour”. Reportedly, the “Yeah Naah” emcee confirmed the world tour as early as January this year. Aujla, who made an appearance at the Cool Kicks’ sneaker show on YouTube, confirmed his plans for a massive world tour at the time.
“We’re starting our global tour end of this year… especially in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Canada… I just did shows in England and stuff,” Aujla said.
The tour, which will be managed by global ticketing agency Live Nation, will traverse New York, Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Chicago. After the U.S. leg, Aujla will reportedly head towards England, Canada and perhaps India.
Alongside the hard-hitting album, Aujla has premiered epic visuals for “Try Me” – the 5th track on his sophomore album.
In June, the “P.O.V.” emcee linked up with Alfa Romeo Team Stake’s F1 drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. Directed by Amrit Thind, the “Try Me” visual treatment captures that unprecedented foray into the world of professional motorsports through extremely prolific Punjabi records.
Watch the “Try Me” music video by Karan Aujla featuring Valtteri Bottas & Zhou Guanyu below.
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Stream ‘Making Memories’ by Karan Aujla & Ikky via Spotify.
