Welcome back. Our PopShift team is working on an exciting project in Chicago this weekend. In between the chaos, we’ve been bumping a lot of new music together. From Drake to Babbulicious, we look into some of this week’s biggest musical releases. But first, we dive into the life of another Canadian – the notorious Punjabi gangster, Bindy Johal. Finally, rising artist Kansh tells us “how to love” in a new SUBTXT for his hit “Brown Sugar.”

– Rosh

Bindy Johal: The Notorious Punjabi-Canadian Gangster

“I’m still around.” Bhupinder “Bindy” Johal’s infamous last recorded words continue to haunt Canada today. How did this young, local immigrant gangster become the cultural infatuation he is today, nearly two decades after his violent demise?

The country’s immigrant gang culture formed in the 80s and 90s, following Delhi's 1984 Sikh pogroms. The state-sanctioned violence saw immense and grotesque violence against India’s Sikh community, which greatly traumatized Punjabis across the globe.

These triggers abroad led to a crime revolution in Canada, especially in immigrant-heavy cities like Vancouver, where community criminals were quick to take advantage of already high socio-political tension for profit. When rampant racism made for a hostile environment, men like Johal found that the best way to fight against the system was by violently attacking it.

Johal came to Canada at the age of four, but his start in organized crime began in high school. After brutally assaulting his vice principal and spending two months in prison for it, Johal came out ready to double down. He became the face of Canadian gang violence, selling drugs, seducing women, and blowing money.

In 1995, he was acquitted of being involved in the murders of the South Asian gangsters, the Dosanjh brothers, in what became a heavily publicized trial by the media. Some argue that the admiration of Johal was in part because the news largely romanticized Johal’s violent crimes and sexual affairs.

Whether he was sending a minion to seduce his jurors into a “not guilty” verdict or just shooting his gun off into ceilings for public intimidation, Johal became a celebrity with his reckless yet confident crime streak.

Johal’s criminal activity eventually caught up to him. He was shot to death in a Vancouver nightclub at the age of 27, just two decades after his Punjabi parents immigrated to the country with high hopes for a better future. Today, BC’s South Asian organized crime scene is still prevalent. Though other gangsters have come and gone, none continue to yield as much notoriety as Johal during his reign as kingpin.

Today, Johal remains one of Vancouver’s biggest conversation stimulants. Just ask anyone in Surrey. They’ll tell you everything there is to know about the man. Within those stories and rumors and gossip, we find gangster’s paradise — having a name that will live through history. Yes, Bindy Johal is “still around.”

Editor’s Note: A few years ago, I ran across this medium article written by Samuel Kerr which highlights Bindy Johal’s criminal life and impact terrifically. You can read the piece here. - Raghu

A Ton of New Music Dropped This Weekend.

New season, new soundtrack. The arrival of spring has brought on a mammoth of creative activity from some of our favorite artists. Here’s what you can expect to find on our playlist this weekend:

“Gucci Chick” by Babbulicious & J-Statik
Hot off the sensation that was “Gaddi Red Challenger,” Babbu gifted us another viral-esque banger. Though the lyrics are repetitive and simple, the beats have the artist’s distinctive and addicting quality that takes TikTok by storm.

“Search & Rescue” by Drake
Our certified lover boy just gave all his sentiest fans their new anthem. Drake’s first new single of the year is making headlines for sampling a Kim Kardashian soundbite about her divorce.

“Mera Na” by Sidhu Moose Wala, Burna Boy & Steel Banglez
The much-anticipated track’s music video, which pays tribute to the late Sidhu Moose Wala, has already racked up 16M+ views in the day since its release, proving that even death can’t stop the impact and legacy of music’s greatest.

“Slow Burn” by J. Maya
J. Maya’s latest single is a powerful ballad that showcases her talented vocals and acclaimed lyricism at their best. The first listen alone will put you deep in your feels.

“UNI(*)N” by MEMBA
Electronic duo Ishaan Chaudhary and Will Curry released their new EP, featuring six fresh and high-energy tracks. While all of them are easy to love, JIYO is especially on repeat. It’s sampling of a Rajasthani folk song is a nod to Chaudhary’s Indian roots.

Watchlist: Kansh

Brown on brown is a look and Kansh’s single “Brown Sugar” is here to celebrate it. An ode to brown beauties everywhere, the rising artist is a fan favorite with his slick lyrics about brown eyes and dulce skin.

“Brown Sugar,” with its acoustic guitar flowing against a background of tabla-like beats, is addictive and bold. That smooth style and unique production have captured the public’s attention. This means little to the independent artist though, who is sincere in his mission to create rather than play a fame game.

Kansh’s brand is carefully curated with him at the helm of visuals, writing, and the production of his sound. His most recent release “Breathe” showcases his distinctive style, starting the track with deep breathing that steadies the listeners to the end.

With over 5.5M likes on TikTok and over 150K monthly listeners on Spotify, Kansh’s artistry has unparalleled potential. His focus on creating music that is, at its core, authentic to himself is humbling in today’s world. With upcoming releases on the horizon and no signs of stopping, Kansh’s momentum is faster than ever.

Other Notable News

• Samica released a new track, “Until Then.”

• Ritviz announced an upcoming North American tour.

• Lilly Singh is set to star in a new Disney+ Original Series, “The Muppets Mayhem.”

• Ritu Arya is set to star as the “Barbie with a Pulitzer” in the new movie, “Barbie.”

• Abhi the Nomad appears on Watsky’s new track, “YOUNG RUETTIGER (I DO WHAT I WANT).”

Listen to the PopShift Playlist on Spotify.

Written By: Saumya Monga, Nirvani Pathak, Nikita Satapathy

Edited by: Raghu Alla, Roshni Lalchandani