Karan Aujla Incites a New Era of International Punjabi Music
The Indian rapper and lyricist signs with Warner Music amid his second studio album release.
In the Northern Indian village of Ghurala, the hypnotic rhythms and timeless melodies of Punjabi music echo among rural landscapes and roaming livestock. Here is where Karan Aujla, a 26-year-old singer and songwriter, built the foundation for his Indo-International fusion sound, combining the traditional folk music of his upbringing with melodic hip-hop and trap R&B.
Now signed with Warner Music Canada and Warner Music India, Aujla delivers his second studio album Making Memories, executive produced by fellow Punjabi artist Ikky. The project demonstrates the universal appeal of music, an art form which transcends language barriers, and the unifying power of intercultural blending. Through bringing together the melodious essence of Punjabi sound with hip hop and pop production, Aujla tells the story of a life built at the intersection of two vastly different worlds.
Karan Aujla transforms Punjabi music with his unique fusion sound.
Making Memories ushers in a new era of international Punjabi music, with vocals and production stemming from this cultural foundation. The global growth of this genre is apparent, with Aujla being the first Indian artist to cover Apple Music’s New Music Daily playlist. Furthermore, Aujla’s most recent single, “Admirin’ You,” featuring R&B singer Preston Pablo, pulled in 11.3 million views on YouTube in 24 hours. The track, one of his first ventures into pop, became the number one trending song on Instagram Reels worldwide within its first week.
“‘Admirin’ You’ is the best example of what I am trying to display with my melodies and writing style for the full length album,” says Aujla. “It’s the perfect mix of Punjabi lyrics and western melodies, and I hope my fans can take it in and create something unforgettable for themselves.”
Making Memories ushers in a new era of international Punjabi music.
This world-merging reflects Aujla’s creative inspiration and emotive artistry, as the young artist moved to Vancouver, Canada at 17 after the tragic passing of his parents. Using songwriting as an outlet for his grief, he penned hundreds of songs for emerging Indian artists, eventually hopping on the tracks as a vocal feature. His first major solo hit, 2018’s “Don’t Worry,” rerouted his life trajectory, preparing him for when his debut album B.T.F.U. landed at #6 on Spotify’s global chart.
Aujla’s growth since his early beginnings is evident, demonstrating a willingness for experimentation and pushing the boundaries of his existing sound. “Gangsta,” a hip-hop track featuring rapper YG, exhibits a late ‘90s flow reminiscent of Diddy’s ‘Bad Boy’ era. Comparatively, “What…?” is a smooth R&B song featuring Aujla’s gliding vocals over Ikky’s bouncy production, demonstrating the unpredictable compatibility of Eastern and Western flow. This rhythmic harmony is only reinforced by the fresh selection on Making Memories.
“I’m excited for everyone to see and feel what we’ve been working on for the last twelve months. This album is a new introduction to all the different communities who’ve been supporting me and my journey so far,” says Aujla. “I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions online as they create memories of their own. It makes it all worth it.”
“Try Me” is accompanied by a high-speed music video, which can be viewed above. Stream the full Making Memories album here, including nine original tracks.
