Punjabi-Canadian singing sensation AP Dhillon, of Summer High fame, has garnered a fan base across the globe
Naam hai Amrit…kamm tusi sab jande hon…the Summer High, Excuses and Insane hitmaker is set for a date with the City Beautiful this evening. Post serenading his ‘childhood crush’ Malaika Arora during his Mumbai tour, and getting music giants Jazzy B and Honey Singh on stage at Delhi, AP Dhillon, aka Amritpal Singh Dhillon, has raised the expectations of the city folks.
Starting his Brownpoint India Tour from Mumbai on December 7, performing in New Delhi on December 14, he concludes it in Chandigarh on December 21. In just about five years of bursting on to the scene, AP has a fan base across the globe with a fair smattering of Bollywood stars in it. Billions of streams across platforms, topping the Billboard charts and desi songs with international vibe, AP is one of his kind.
Punjabi munda in Canada
Born in Mullianwal in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, he pursued engineering before moving to Canada. Studies and working odd jobs at convenience stores and gas stations, music slowly and steadily became his life. With no one willing to work with him, he started on his own, investing in technology, spending hours in the garage, coming up music he wanted to take to the world. Sure he’s Punjabi, but his sound is an eclectic mix of Pop, Hip hop, R&B and Trap. Starting with singles Fake and Faraar, it was Deadly that got him an entry into music charts. Excuses—Mere Dil Naal Larre Ni Tuu Laun Waaliye/Dil Tera Jadonn Tuttuga Taa Pata Lagunga— brought him name and fame. This was closely followed by the stupendously successful Brown Munde, which made the world go gaga over this munda.
Women in AP’s life
Very guarded about his personal life, a grouse his fans had with the docu-series AP Dhillon: First Of A Kind - Season 1 was that apart from his grandmother there were no women from his life who made it to the screen! His Instagram Stories from Mumbai popped up a name—Mrunal Thakur. To help you jog your memory, she is the lovely princess from the beautiful onscreen love story Sita Ramam. AP tagged Mrunal on a picture of poha, writing ‘Best one I had. Thank you, Mrunal Thakur.” Strangely, poha keeps popping with Punjabi concerts. Lately, Diljit too was seen enjoying some, giving it a go over paranthas in Punjab.
Back to women in AP’s life, his fans were left wondering if there was more to him than serenading Malaika on stage!
Too much, too soon
AP’s first song came in 2019 and his notes soon won the world over. Amongst his hits are Summer High, Ma Belle, Old Money, Bora Bora, Dil Nu, Desires, Spaceship, Sweet Flower, Arrogant, Scars, War, Sleepless and Gallan. His song With You, which fought a plagiarism battle, turned out to be ‘bought sample music’. Dishing out Punjabi lyrics on western beats, his army of fans is growing ever so strong.
First concert was his own
Ask AP about his favourite concert and it sure is his first ever show at Gurgaon. Would you believe that it was his first-ever; he had never been to concert as a spectator either! Sitting in his vanity, listening to thousands of spectators screaming his name, AP let go of any hesitancy or doubt that he harboured. Now, he’s a master on stage!
Smashing guitar @ Coachella
If Diljit Dosanjh was the first-ever Punjabi artiste to grace the prestigious Coachella stage; 2024 was AP’s year. He ended the electrifying performance smashing the guitar on stage, earning fans’ ire!
Charting the Brown Munde course
The song that changed the course of AP’s life was a one about ‘brown appreciation’ and ‘brown pride’. Lyrics by Shinda Kahlon, Brown Munde brought AP, Gurinder Gill and Gminxr (Gugundeep Singh Randhawa) together in what became an anthem for ‘brown’ folks, charting an industrious life abroad. The video has brown folks doing odd chores, from construction work to handling kitchens in beats, which became an instant hit.
First Of A Kind, Season 1
Shinda Kahlon, Gurinder Gill and Gminxr have been part of the incredible feat that AP has pulled. The fact that Shinda and AP not only worked together, but lived together too has intrigued AP’s fans. Rather reclusive, AP, the global star, left his fans in surprise when Prime Video announced a documentary on his life! AP Dhillon: First Of A Kind –Season 1 was released last year, and featured interviews with Dhillon’s family and friends, offering a look at his personal and professional journey. While it sure gave a glimpse of his creative life, fans were left wanting for more. Season 1 leaves room for more in the
coming times.
We love AP, what he loves
. A good game of basketball, playing for NBA is his growing up dream
. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has been his favourite singer
. His father and bibi (grandmother) remain his idols
. He ‘knows’ and admires Bollywood’s stars — Shah Rukh, Salman, among others
. AP likes desi khana and finds cooking therapeutic
