Shubdeep Singh Sidhu
NEW DELHI (AP) – Indian police are investigating the murder of a popular Punjabi rapper who fused hip-hop, rap and folk music, officials said, a day after he was shot dead.
Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, also known by his stage name Sidhu Moose Wala, was killed on the night of May 29 while driving in Mansa, a district in the northern Indian state of Punjab. Moose Wala, 28, was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Senior Punjab police officer VK Bhawra said preliminary investigations showed the killing was a rivalry between gangs.
The day before the attack, the Punjab government withdrew security cover for more than 400 people, including Moose Wala, to curb the VIP culture, local media reported.
Moose Wala started out as a songwriter before propelling his singing career with a 2017 hit that made him well-known among the Indian and Punjabi diaspora in countries such as the UK and Canada.
Although the songs are mainly sung in Punjabi, most of his singles have English titles. His flashy music videos are known for his rap lyrics and often focus on the culture of masculinity. His 2018 debut album topped the Canadian Billboard Albums Chart.
Moose Wala is a controversial figure, in part because of his lyrical style. In 2020, police charged him under India’s Arms Act for allegedly promoting gun culture in one of his songs.
His latest single “The Last Ride” was released last month.
The rapper joined the Indian Congress party last year but was unsuccessful in the state assembly election.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwantman said “no single criminal will survive” and was deeply shocked and saddened by the murder.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted his condolences over the killing.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of a promising congressional leader and talented artist,” he said.
