Billboard Canada Hot 100: Late Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala debuts at #9.

TORONTO – Nearly two years after he was killed in a shooting, Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala debuted at No. 9 on the latest Billboard Canada Hot 100 chart.

“Drippy” is the late artist's first single to reach such heights on the Canadian music chart, which tracks streaming activity and digital sales across the country.

The song features Moose Wala in Punjabi and Toronto rapper AR Paisley verses in English.

Moose Wala, born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was killed two years ago while driving in the northern Indian state of Punjab, police said, and an initial investigation revealed a gang rivalry.

Before his death, the rapper spent several years in Brampton, Ont. wrote music as an international student in the city and made a name for himself in Great Britain and Canada.

His 2018 debut album landed him on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.

Punjabi music has recently seen a surge in popularity in Canada, with prominent placement on mainstream playlists on streaming services. Last year, Warner Music Canada struck a deal with Warner's India operations to form 91 North Records, a joint venture to promote South Asian musicians.

Moose Wala was a controversial figure, partly because of his lyrics. In 2020, police charged him under India's Arms Act for allegedly promoting gun culture in one of his songs.

The rapper joined the Congress Party of India in 2021 and contested the state assembly elections unsuccessfully.

– With Associated Press files

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 14, 2024.