Diljit Dosanjh makes history as first South Asian on cover of Billboard Magazine
Diljit Dosanjh, the Punjabi superstar, has become the first South Asian artist to grace the cover of Billboard Magazine. As a pioneer of the “Punjabi wave” that blends folk music with rap and hip-hop, Dosanjh will be on the cover of the first-ever print edition of Billboard Canada, set to be published in December.
Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati tour, although marred with controversy about dancers not getting paid, has been making headlines for being one of the most successful by a South Asian artist. Now, Billboard Canada’s debut print edition will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from the tour, shared by his manager Sonali Singh, according to Billboard.
The magazine offers four collectible covers, each capturing different aspects of Dosanjh’s journey and identity. One cover, part of a global Billboard initiative, will remain a surprise until December. Limited signed copies will also be available for collectors with the special box set featuring editions in multiple languages, symbolising his impact across continents.
At his recent sold-out show at the O2 Arena in London, Dosanjh thrilled fans by announcing that pre-orders for the magazine are now live.
A career of historic firsts
The Billboard cover is one of many firsts for the 40-year-old Punjabi singer-actor, who continues to break barriers for South Asian artists worldwide.
Last year, Dosanjh became the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella music festival. In June, he made his debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon introduced Dosanjh as “the biggest Punjabi artist on the planet”, a fitting title for someone who has seamlessly navigated the intersections of music, film, and fashion.
As a versatile actor and singer, Dosanjh stars in films where he performs his own songs, such as Crew, alongside Tabu, Kareena Kapoor and Kriti Sanon.
Hailing from a small village in India’s Punjab, Dosanjh’s organic blend of modern and traditional aesthetics defies cliches. His music leans into soulful melodies, often showcasing his baritone voice laced with raw emotion.
His collaborations with international icons such as Ed Sheeran, Sia, and Saweetie are illustrative of his global influence. During one memorable concert, he even convinced Ed Sheeran to sing a few lines in Punjabi — a moment fans still rave about.
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