Welcome back! We are officially just ONE WEEK away from PopShift Music Festival. Don’t let the FOMO hit — grab your tickets. Today we’re looking at Trader Joe’s Indian cuisine. Where do they get it from? Why does it lowkey slap? We then follow the updates on Imran Khan’s arrest. What could this mean for the future? Lastly, we dive deep into “The Rheaverse.”

— Rosh

PopShift’s ‘South Asian’ Music + Art Mixer is the first event of its kind.

POV: It’s May 19, a warm Friday night in NYC. You decide to check out PopShift’s Music + Art Mixer presented by Toyota at Lavan Chelsea and aren’t really sure what to expect. As soon as you enter, you’re immersed in a retro-future universe with numerous installations of vibrant cultural art. While the artists you’ve admired online (Is that Haf and Haf?) are displaying and explaining the significance of their creations, your friend comes over with free beer and snacks from South Asian businesses. You enjoy your free masala chai ice cream to the sound of rising musicians like Anjali Taneja and FINESSE singing their best songs. You can still hear the strums of Rishab’s sitar as you make your way to the projection room and are immediately greeted by a surrounding display of digitally animated art inspired and created by creatives pushing the boundaries of art x culture.

DON’T LET THE FOMO GET YOU.

As a gift to our loyal newsletter subscribers, you can purchase tickets for the Art + Music Mixer on May 19 at 20% off. Just use our exclusive code.

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Why Does Trader Joe’s Indian Cuisine Lowkey Slap?

Trader Joe’s is the fan-favorite grocery market that offers a global variety of products. The Indian selections in particular are widely praised. It’s easy to raise an eyebrow at this. Frozen Indian food that’s paying a white man’s salary? While there are plenty of understandable conversations happening around cultural appropriation and the true art of Indian cooking, it doesn’t change the truth – Trader Joe’s Indian food lowkey slaps.

It’s not just anyone who says it. On “Inside Trader Joe’s,” an official Trader Joe’s podcast, it was revealed that the biggest fans of the Indian product line are Indian-American immigrants themselves. The Chief Alchemist noted on air that they know it’s difficult to create authentic Indian food, so they’re humbled by the surveys showing that the products sell well amongst Indian and Pakistani immigrants.

@amberaliyaa

Joseph did what needed to be done #traderjoes #indianfood #blackgirltiktok #amberaliyaa

Why is their Indian food better than competitors?
The first “Trader Joe’s” opened in 1967. Since its small start in Pasadena, CA, Joe Coulombe – as in THE Joe – had an international mission for the brand. The entire aesthetic of the store is meant to make you feel as though you’re on vacation, offering a convenient product range of authentic meals that you’d otherwise have to travel for.

The commitment to the brand intention runs deep. Trader Joe’s buyers travel around the world in a hunt for the right prepared foods to sell under their label. This is in stark contrast to other grocery chains, who typically have vendors pitch to them.

Where are they sourcing from?
Trader Joe’s is notoriously secretive about many of their food-selling operations, but here’s what we do know. It’s been reported that Tasty Bite, an Indian-American preserved food manufacturer headquartered in both Pune and Stamford, is responsible for a chunk of the line. In the Trader Joe’s podcast, it was also revealed that the butter chicken is from Canada, the palak paneer is from New Jersey, and that some products like the Frozen Garlic Naan are sourced directly from India.

Whether you’re a lover or a hater, Trader Joe’s Indian food is sticking around. The convenience of the frozen meal and the promise of a near-authentic flavor lures even our own into its grasp. Where do you stand? Let us know in our poll below.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Gets Arrested

Eyes have been on Pakistan this week after the arrest of PTI leader Imran Khan on charges ranging from corruption to sedition. The former Pakistani Prime Minister served from August 2018 to April 2022, when a no-confidence motion ousted him. His life has certainly come a long way since he famously captained the Pakistani cricket team to a World Cup win in 1992.

• On May 9, Khan was arrested by parliamentary police during an appearance at the Islamabad High Court.

• On May 11, the arrest was ruled “invalid and unlawful” by the Court.

• On May 12, Khan was granted protected bail, meaning he cannot be rearrested for at least two weeks.

During these days, protests against the military broke out across the country. The violence has taken at least 8 lives and caused 250+ injuries thus far. Khan’s arrest amidst already existing political tension in the country only threatens growing instability. Democracy in Pakistan is potentially is what could potentially be at stake.

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Watchlist: Rhea Raj and Her Sultry Pop Flow

Welcome to “The Rheaverse.” Sultry and fearless, Rhea Raj is leading a fanbase that is all about empowering brown women to celebrate their beauty.

Rhea got an early start, spending her childhood practicing Indian classical music and Bollywood dance. This led her to her American Idol audition in 2016, where she gained mass attention after Jennifer Lopez praised Rhea’s voice.

Rhea’s R&B-inspired production and sensual lyrics have made her pop music royalty, drawing inspiration from 2000s icons and giving it a culturally liberating twist. Her music videos contain stunning visuals, choreography, and outfits that will make you want to screenshot every single frame.

@popshift

this is RHEA RAJ — the artist of your future hot girl anthem. 🧿🔥 #hotgirlmelanin #southasian #browngirl #watchlist #rhearaj #popshift #ne... See more

Her single “Devil in a Dress” made her Spotify’s cover artist for their Created by Women playlist and has 5M+ Spotify streams. This is closely followed by tracks like “Venom” and “MVP.”

She promoted her song “Outside” by starting her own TikTok trend with the song, which users made tens of thousands of videos out of. If you haven’t already joined “The Rheaverse,” her upcoming live performance at Popshift Music Festival on May 20 will make you a lifelong fan.

Help us expand our newsletter! We’re looking for writers and new music to share.

Other Notable News

• Rhea Raj released a new track “Atmosphere.”

• Supreme Sidhu & Talwiinder released a new track “Baazi.”

• Abhi The Nomad released a new track “Star Death.”

• Deli Boys is being brought to series by Hulu.

• Alia Bhatt is the newest global brand ambassador for Gucci.

Listen to the PopShift Playlist on Spotify.

Writers: Roshni Lalchandani, Saumya Monga

Editors: Raghu Alla, Roshni Lalchandani