Punjabi Music at the 2025 JUNO Awards
A Defining Moment for Canadian Music Industry
The 2025 JUNO Awards will be a historic event for Punjabi music in Canada.
For the first time, the JUNOs have introduced the category of South Asian Music Recording of the Year, which acknowledges the significant impact of South Asian artists on the country’s music industry. This milestone follows years of increasing mainstream recognition, driven by the performances and successes of Punjabi artists such as AP Dhillon and Karan Aujla.
The Road to Recognition
AP Dhillon’s performance at the JUNOs was a breakthrough moment, signaling the arrival of Punjabi music on Canada’s biggest stage.
After that, Karan Aujla elevated the genre with his electrifying performance and award win, further establishing its presence in the mainstream.
As he took the stage to accept the 2024 TikTok JUNO Fan Choice Award, Karan delivered a heartfelt speech that left a lasting impression.
Reflecting on the loss of his parents at a young age, he shared a powerful message with all dreamers: Dream big, Canada!
“Sometimes I just can’t believe I’m that same kid that lost his parents when he was in India. You know, made my way out to Canada, this beautiful country – and today I’m here.”
With the introduction of this dedicated category, momentum continues, ensuring that South Asian music is no longer just a feature but is recognized and celebrated as an integral part of Canada’s musical identity.
The First-Ever South Asian Music Category
The nominees for the inaugural South Asian Music Recording of the Year Award include some of the biggest names in the genre: AP Dhillon, Chani Nattan, Inderpal Moga & Jazzy B, Jonita Gandhi, Karan Aujla, and Yanchan Produced & Sandeep Narayan.
Their nominations reflect the diversity and evolution of South Asian music, but mainly Punjabi music - spanning hip-hop, R&B, and traditional sounds fused with modern production. This list is a testament to how deeply embedded South Asian music is within Canada’s contemporary music landscape.
Beyond this category, South Asian representation at the JUNOs is stronger than ever. AP Dhillon is also nominated for Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year, alongside fellow South Asian artists AR Paisley and Sukha, demonstrating the growing influence of South Asian artists across multiple genres. This crossover success indicates that South Asian music is not just confined to its niche—it’s making waves across the industry.
I am very excited to see AR Paisley, who has collaborated with Sidhu Moosewala on multiple tracks and Sukha, representing his local talent on the national stage.
Why Did It Take So Long?
Including a South Asian Music Recording of the Year category at the 2025 JUNO Awards is a monumental moment for Punjabi and South Asian artists in Canada.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an undeniable rise in the prominence of Punjabi music, with artists like AP Dhillon and Karan Aujla dominating the charts and making waves internationally. AP Dhillon’s performance at the JUNOs marked a turning point, followed by Karan Aujla’s electrifying performance and award win. Now, with this new category, the recognition of South Asian talent in the mainstream music industry feels more concrete than ever.
However, while this recognition is a major step forward, it raises an important question:
Why did it take until 2025 for an award like this to exist?
Canada has had a significant South Asian population for decades, with Punjabi music flourishing in communities across the country. However, mainstream platforms have been slow to embrace this genre. The success of South Asian artists today is not a sudden development; it is the result of years of hard work, talent, and cultural influence that has been largely overlooked by major industry institutions.
For years, Punjabi music has dominated streaming charts, club playlists, and social media trends, yet it has struggled to gain the same recognition in traditional award circuits. Artists like Sidhu Moosewala, Jazzy B, and Babbu Maan laid the groundwork for this moment, proving that Punjabi music can thrive independently.
The industry is only now beginning to acknowledge what audiences have recognized for years.
Final Thoughts
I am looking forward to seeing one of the Punjabi artists take home this award. It’s a long-overdue acknowledgment of a genre and culture that has profoundly influenced the Canadian music scene. However, I can’t help but question why it took until 2025 for this recognition to happen. Canada has had a massive South Asian population for decades—our music, culture, and artists have been thriving here for years. Where was this award before? South Asian artists have consistently contributed to the industry, yet mainstream recognition has been slow to follow.
While this is a step in the right direction, I hope it’s not merely a one-time effort to appear inclusive.
The industry needs to continue uplifting diverse voices and ensure that artists from all backgrounds have the platforms and recognition they deserve. This award should be just the beginning of a broader movement to celebrate South Asian and Punjabi music at the highest levels of Canada’s entertainment industry.
As we look ahead to the 2025 JUNO Awards in Vancouver, one thing is clear: South Asian and Punjabi music is here to stay. This is more than just a moment—it’s a movement, and it’s about time Canada’s music industry fully embraces it.