Khan Bhaini stands front and centre among the 2020s generation of lyrically forthright and stylistically ambitious Punjabi artists. The charismatic singer and composer, born in Barnala in 1995, has released a succession of massive hits since 2019, catapulting him to fame both at home and abroad. He started his career as a lyricist—in 2018, he penned Gulab Sidhu and Karan Aujla mega-hit “Enough”, as well as Sidhu’s “Dodge” and Munda Sidhua Da EP. But in 2019, Bhaini began making music with his own voice, debuting the track “12Pm To 12Am” in collaboration with Aujla. It proved to be quite the career springboard, with the accompanying video attracting millions of views. But that was nothing compared to the viral sensation that was his 2020 reggae-inspired smash “Bille Bille Naina Waliye”, which notched up more than 100 million streams. There’s been a steady output by the artist ever since as he racks up the successes, including his 2021 collab with singer Shipra Goyal and actress Raj Shoker, “Lamborghini”; 2023’s Dr Zeus and Fateh team-up “Face 2 Face”; and 2020’s “Proud To Be Desi”, again with Fateh. If there was any question about Bhaini’s feelings on his musical roots, the latter track says it all.