Megha
| Full name | Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu |
| Age | 28 years (In 2022) |
| Gender | Male |
| Born – Death | 11 June 1993 – 29 May 2022 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 1.85 m |
| Qualification | Graduation |
| Passion | Singing |
| College | Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College |
| Years active | 2016–2022 |
Who is Sidhu Moose Wala?
Sidhu Moose Wala, whose real name was Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu (11 June 1993 – 29 May 2022), was an Indian rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was well-known for his work in Punjabi-language music and cinema. Many people considered him one of the greatest Punjabi artists of his generation and, to some, even one of the greatest Punjabi artists of all time. Additionally, he played a significant role in paving the way for Punjabi artists to enter the mainstream music industry.
Net Worth
At the time of his death, Sidhu Moose Wala’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $14 million (equivalent to around Rs 114 crore). This substantial fortune was a result of his earnings from his music, brand endorsements, and live performances. As one of the most renowned Punjabi singers globally, his songs were immensely popular and garnered millions of streams on platforms like YouTube. In addition to his music career, Sidhu was also a prosperous businessman and owned multiple properties in Punjab. His successful ventures contributed significantly to his overall wealth, making him a notable figure in both the music and business realms.
Absolutely, Moose Wala’s passing was indeed a massive loss for the Punjabi music industry and the world. He was an exceptionally talented artist with a distinct and captivating voice. His music touched the hearts of many and connected with fans on a deep level. Despite his untimely departure, his music will live on, and his artistic legacy will continue to be cherished and celebrated by fans for generations to come. Sidhu Moose Wala’s contributions to the music world have left an indelible mark, and his memory will forever be kept alive through his songs and the impact he made on the hearts of his listeners.
Here are some of the sources of income that contributed to Sidhu Moose Wala’s net worth:
Moose Wala earned a significant amount of money through various sources. His music was a major contributor to his income, as he released numerous hit songs that gained millions of views on platforms like YouTube. Additionally, he had a successful career as a live performer, with his concerts drawing large crowds and fetching him high fees.
Brand endorsements were another lucrative aspect of his career. He was a sought-after brand ambassador for various companies, promoting products like cars, clothing, and alcohol.
Beyond his music and endorsements, Moose Wala was involved in multiple business ventures. He owned several properties in Punjab and made wise investments in different businesses.
Overall, Sidhu Moose Wala’s diverse talents and successful endeavors in music, endorsements, live performances, and business ventures contributed to his substantial wealth and financial success.
Early Life
Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu was born in the village of Moosa in Punjab, India, to a Jat Sikh family. His parents were Balkaur Singh (father) and Charan Kaur (mother). He attended Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College in Ludhiana and completed his degree in electrical engineering in 2016. During his time as a student, he developed a passion for hip-hop music and drew inspiration from rapper Tupac Shakur. He started listening to hip-hop in the sixth grade and received music training from Harvinder Bittu in Ludhiana. As a tribute to his hometown Moosa, he chose “Sidhu Moose Wala” as his stage name. After finishing his studies, Moose Wala moved to Brampton, Ontario, Canada, as an international student. During his time in Canada, he continued his education at Humber College.
Personal Life
Moose Wala resided in his hometown of Moosa, where his fans frequently visited him. He had a strong bond with his grandmother and, at her request, he kept his hair, which holds great significance in Sikhism. His father, unfortunately, couldn’t keep his hair due to an accident.
Moose Wala and Karan Aujla had a rivalry, and they expressed their feelings toward each other through songs, social media, and live performances. Some of their songs were criticized for promoting violence. According to a mutual colleague, Elly Mangat, the dispute between them started when a video targeting Aujla in one of Moose Wala’s songs got leaked to Aujla’s management. This led to threats against Moose Wala, and they began targeting each other on social media. The rivalry had a brief resolution, but it escalated again when Aujla released a diss track called “Lafaafe,” and Moose Wala responded with “Warning Shots.”
In an interview, Aujla mentioned that he didn’t write the song “Lafaafe” and didn’t disclose details about their rivalry but praised Moose Wala’s work. After Moose Wala’s unfortunate passing, Aujla paid tribute to him by releasing the song “Maa.”
There is not much information available about rapper Sidhu Moose Wala’s marital status or his partner or wife. It is known that Sidhu was not married, and he chose to keep his relationship and partner’s identity private. In January 2022, Sidhu’s mother revealed that the singer was looking forward to getting married and taking his love life to the next level. She mentioned that preparations for his marriage had already begun and that it would take place after the year’s elections. According to Sidhu’s mother, he had selected a partner for himself, and it was not a planned marriage. The family members were overjoyed to learn about the singer’s relationship and the prospect of welcoming a new family member. However, Sidhu’s untimely and tragic death has left a huge void in his beloved family and has also deeply saddened people around the world.
There were rumors suggesting that Sidhu Moose Wala was in a relationship with a lady named Jasmine Kaur. It was said that the couple had been dating for a considerable time and were planning to get married in the near future. However, there is no official confirmation or public statement from Sidhu or his family regarding this relationship.
Career
In 2017, while living in Brampton, Moose Wala released his first song “G Wagon”. His breakthrough came later that year with the song “So High”, a gangster rap produced by Byg Byrd. The song received recognition and earned him the Best Lyricist award at the Brit Asia TV Music Awards in 2017. He then joined Brown Boys Records alongside Sunny Malton and Byg Byrd. In 2018, Moose Wala began performing live shows in India and Canada, gaining popularity. He continued to achieve success with singles like “Issa Jatt”, “It’s All About You”, and “Just Listen”. His song “Famous” even made it to the UK Asian Top 40 Chart. His talent and popularity led to a nomination for the Best New Age Sensation award at the 2018 PTC Punjabi Music Awards for “Issa Jatt”. He also contributed his first film soundtrack song, “Dollar”, for the film Dakuaan Da Munda. After successful collaborations with Humble Music, he started releasing songs independently in 2018, including “Warning Shots”, a diss track targeting Karan Aujla’s “Lafaafe”. In October 2018, he released his debut album PBX 1 under T-Series, blending pop music with hip-hop elements. The album gained significant recognition, charting on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart and winning the Best Album Award at the 2019 Brit Asia TV Music Awards. Following this, he continued to release tracks under his own label, as well as songs from other artists.
In February 2019, Moose Wala released “Legend” under his own record label, and it won the Brit Asia TV Kuflink Best Track of the Year Award that same year. He also released “Chosen” and “Outlaw” in the same month, followed by “East Side Flow” in April and “Mafia Style” in collaboration with Aman Hayer. In June, his concert at the Surrey Music Festival was canceled due to security concerns, which arose from violence at his previous performances. In August, he collaborated with Bohemia for the song “Same Beef”. In September, he released two film soundtrack songs: “Dogar” for Teri Meri Jodi and “Jatti Jeone Morh Wargi,” featuring Sonam Bajwa, for Ardab Mutiyaran. In October, he released “47,” a song featuring British rappers Mist and Stefflon Don, which achieved success by entering the top 20 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also charted on the New Zealand Top 40 singles chart. In 2019, Spotify recognized him as one of the most popular artists in Punjab, alongside Maninder Buttar and Karan Aujla.
In January 2020, Moose Wala featured on Prem Dhillon’s track “Old Skool” along with Nseeb. After that, he released “Tibeyan Da Putt,” which became a big hit, reaching the top position on the iTunes charts and ranking number 8 on the Apple Music charts in India. In May 2020, he released his second studio album, Snitches Get Stitches, under his label. In the same month, he dedicated the single “Dear Mama” to his mother on her birthday. In June 2020, he collaborated with Amrit Maan on the song “Bambiha Bole,” and its music video received over ten million views within a day. The song reached number 1 in India and made it to the top 50 in Canada and New Zealand on the Apple Music charts. It also topped the UK Asian chart and entered the top 5 of the Global YouTube charts. On 31 August 2020, he officially launched his record label, 5911 Records. In September 2020, he released “Game” with Shooter Kahlon, which became his first song to chart on the Canadian Hot 100 by Billboard.
In May 2021, Moose Wala released his third studio album, Moosetape. The album gained popularity and was charted on the New Zealand Top 40 Albums chart by Recorded Music NZ. Several singles from the album also made it to international charts, including the Billboard Global 200, Canadian Hot 100, and New Zealand Hot Singles charts. On 12 September 2021, he had the opportunity to perform at the Wireless Festival in London alongside Mist, becoming the first Indian singer to perform at this festival. In April 2022, Moose Wala released the EP titled “No Name” featuring AR Paisley, Mr. Capone-E, and Sunny Malton. The EP entered the Billboard’s Canadian Albums chart at No. 73. Multiple songs from the EP, such as “The Last Ride,” “Levels,” “Never Fold,” and “295,” entered the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart, with “The Last Ride” reaching the highest position at 26. Posthumously, in June 2022, his single “SYL,” referring to the Satluj Yamuna link canal, achieved significant success, peaking at No. 27 on the Canadian Hot 100, No. 81 in Australia, No. 3 in India, and No. 200 on the Global Excl. US chart.
Moose Wala ventured into Punjabi cinema with his debut film “Yes I Am Student,” produced under his own company, Jatt Life Studios. The film was directed by Tarnvir Singh Jagpal and written by Gill Raunta.
In 2019, he appeared in the movie “Teri Meri Jodi.” In June 2020, Moose Wala revealed his plans for another film titled “Gunah.” On 22 August 2021, he released the teaser for his upcoming movie, “Moosa Jatt,” featuring Sweetaj Brar and directed by Tru Makers. On 24 August 2021, he announced his new film “Jattan Da Munda Gaun Lagya,” directed by Amberdeep Singh, which was scheduled for release on 18 March 2022.
Legal Issues and Controversies
At the time of his death, Moose Wala was facing criminal charges related to promoting gun culture and violence. Some of the charges also involved obscene scenes. In May 2020, two videos featuring him became viral on social media. One video showed him receiving training on how to use an AK-47 with the assistance of police officers, and the other showed him using a personal pistol. Due to this incident, the six police officers who helped him were suspended. On 19 May, Moose Wala was booked under two sections of the Arms Act. The police started conducting raids to apprehend him, but he managed to evade arrest by hiding. On 2 June, the Barnala District Court rejected a plea for anticipatory bail filed by Moose Wala and five accused officers. On 6 June 2020, Moose Wala faced a fine by the police in Nabha because his car windows had a darker tint than the allowed limit. Despite being wanted on outstanding charges, he was allowed to leave after falsely claiming that he was already out on bail. In July, he cooperated with the police investigation and was granted regular bail. During that same month, he released a single titled “Sanju,” where he compared himself to actor Sanjay Dutt, who had also been arrested under the Arms Act. However, the song received criticism from Indian sport shooter Avneet Sidhu, who accused Moose Wala of promoting gun culture. The following day, a case was filed against him for releasing the song. In an interview, Moose Wala expressed his belief that he was being intentionally targeted by certain news channels and lawyers.
References to Mai Bhago
In September 2019, Sikh leaders found Moose Wala’s song “Jatti Jeone Morh Wargi” inappropriate as it used the name of Mai Bhago, a revered 17th-century Sikh warrior woman. Following this, Sikh delegations and Akali Dal leaders demanded a ban on the song and lodged complaints against Moose Wala in Mansa and Bathinda. Later, Moose Wala issued an apology on social media for the controversy. In March 2020, he appeared before the Sikh religious body Akal Takht for a hearing regarding the incident.
References to the Khalistan Movement
In December 2020, Moose Wala released the single “Panjab: My Motherland” to show his support for the Indian farmers’ protest against the 2020 Indian agriculture acts. The song included clips of Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and speeches by Khalistan supporter Bharpur Singh Balbir from the late 1980s. In an interview, Moose Wala explained that to him, Khalistan symbolizes a ‘pure place,’ similar to the time when Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled and people of all religions lived together in harmony.
Politics
Moose Wala actively supported his mother, Charan Kaur, during the sarpanch election for Moosa in December 2018, and she emerged victorious. On 3 December 2021, Moose Wala joined the Indian National Congress (INC) to contest the 2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election. However, his candidacy faced opposition from Nazar Singh Manshahia, the INC assemblyman from Mansa. Unfortunately, Moose Wala obtained only 20.52% of the votes from the Mansa constituency and lost to the Aam Aadmi Party’s Vijay Singla by a considerable margin of 63,323 votes. During the 2022 election, a case was filed against Moose Wala under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for violating the election code of conduct. He held a door-to-door campaign in Mansa after the campaigning deadline had passed. On 11 April 2022, Moose Wala released a song titled “Scapegoat,” where he expresses his disappointment over his failure in the 2022 elections.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that Moose Wala’s song implied that the voters of Punjab were betrayers (Gadara in Punjabi) for electing the AAP. They further claimed that his song promoted the “anti-Punjab” mentality of the Indian National Congress (INC). The AAP demanded a response from the state unit president of the INC, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, on whether he endorsed Moose Wala’s views.
Death
On 29 May 2022, unidentified assailants shot Moose Wala dead while he was in his car in Jawaharke village of Mansa. Initially, Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang claimed responsibility for the murder in an unverified Facebook post, but Bishnoi denied making the post. As of June 2022, Bishnoi was in the custody of the Punjab Police and was considered the “mastermind” of the murder by officials.
On the day of the incident, around 4:30 pm, Moose Wala, along with his cousin Gurpreet Singh and neighbor Gurwinder Singh, left his home. They were driving in Moose Wala’s black Mahindra Thar SUV, heading to his aunt’s house in Barnala. At approximately 5:30 pm, when they reached Jawaharke, their SUV was suddenly stopped and blocked by two other cars. The attackers, who were in the other cars, fired around thirty rounds during the incident, resulting in injuries to two other men besides Moose Wala. In response to the attack, Moose Wala used his pistol to fire back at the attackers. After the intense shootout, the attackers fled the scene. His father rushed Moose Wala to the civil hospital in Mansa, but unfortunately, he was declared dead as a result of the injuries sustained in the attack.
The day before the incident, Moose Wala’s police security was reduced or completely removed, along with 423 other individuals, as part of the preparations for the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. As a result, he had only two commandos with him instead of the previous four for protection. During the incident, Moose Wala was traveling in his private car, not his bullet-proof vehicle and he was accompanied by two others. He did not take his security personnel along with him because his Thar SUV could not accommodate five people, according to his friends.
The devastating news of Moose Wala’s death has left his friends and followers in shock. Many celebrities and well-known personalities, such as Kapil Sharma, Shehnaaz Gill, Ravi Dubey, Prince Narula, Ashnoor Kaur, and Karan Kundrra, expressed their deep sadness and sympathies upon hearing the tragic news. They shared their heartfelt emotions and condolences to honor the late singer’s memory.
Indeed, Sidhu Moose Wala’s untimely passing has deeply impacted his family and friends. He was a highly popular and talented artist who had a large following of devoted fans. His music and artistry were loved and appreciated by many people. His sudden departure is a tremendous loss not only for his loved ones but also for the entire Punjabi music industry and the world at large. His legacy as a prominent figure in the music world will be remembered and cherished by countless individuals who admired his work and contributions.
According to the police, the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for killing Moose Wala to avenge the murder of an Akali leader named Vicky Middukhera in 2021. The gang accused one of Moose Wala’s aides of being involved in the killing, although there is no legal evidence to support this claim. Additionally, a Canadian gangster of Punjabi origin named Satinder Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, claimed responsibility for the murder. Brar, who is closely associated with the Bishnoi gang, stated that his “Punjab module” carried out the shooting. Both Brar and Bishnoi have criminal cases against them in India. The Punjab Police later confirmed Bishnoi’s involvement in the incident. The police report also mentioned that Moose Wala’s father disclosed that his son had been receiving death threats from gangsters seeking extortion money. This statement was corroborated by singer Mika Singh.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed condemnation for the murder of Moose Wala. He referred to Moose Wala as a “cultural icon of Punjab” and expressed shock and grief over his death. Mann extended his condolences to the bereaved family. In response to the incident, he ordered an investigation into why Moose Wala’s security had been reduced by the Punjab Police just two days before the unfortunate incident. Additionally, Mann announced the formation of a judicial commission, led by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to thoroughly investigate the killing. Numerous celebrities also offered their condolences on social media, expressing their sadness at the loss of Moose Wala. During the investigation, the police found bullets from an AN-94 Russian assault rifle and a pistol at the scene of the murder. They detained six suspects in connection with the incident from the state of Uttarakhand. On 30 May, one of the murder suspects was apprehended by the Punjab Police while trying to hide among the pilgrims at Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib. On the same day, the Delhi unit of the Indian National Congress (INC) staged a protest near the residence of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, holding the AAP-ruled Government of Punjab responsible for the incident. They blamed the government’s decision to reduce Moose Wala’s security cover for the tragic event.
On 30 May, the Delhi unit of the Indian National Congress (INC) organized a protest near the residence of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, holding the AAP-ruled Government of Punjab responsible for the incident. They blamed the government’s decision to reduce Moose Wala’s security cover for the tragic event. The autopsy of Moose Wala was conducted by five doctors, and the entire process was recorded on video. According to the post-mortem reports, Moose Wala sustained 19 bullet injuries and succumbed to his wounds within 15 minutes of being shot. On 31 May, Moose Wala’s cremation took place in his ancestral village. His last rites were performed on his farmland. On 3 June, Bishnoi allegedly admitted to being involved in the murder and confessed to having a rivalry with Moose Wala. On 8 June, a bhog ceremony was held in Mansa to pay tribute to Moose Wala. On 3 July, Ankit Sirsa was arrested by the Delhi police for being one of the shooters involved in the killing. On 20 July, gangsters Manpreet Mannu and Jagrup Rupa, who were suspected of being involved in Moose Wala’s killing, were shot dead by the Punjab Police. On 26 July, India TV reported that the Punjab Police arrested the last absconding shooter, Deepak Mundi. However, The Indian Express reported that he was arrested on 11 September near the Bengal-Nepal border.
Before the Sangrur Lok Sabha by-election in 2022, the Indian National Congress (INC) had included pictures of Moose Wala in its election song. However, the family of Moose Wala publicly requested political parties and individuals not to use his name for political or personal gains. They made this appeal to prevent any exploitation of Moose Wala’s name and memory for electoral advantage. According to The Tribune newspaper, this appeal came as a setback for the INC, as they had planned to leverage public sympathy over Moose Wala’s death for electoral benefits during the by-election.
Legacy and Remembrance
On 3 June 2022, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced plans for the construction of a cancer hospital and a sports stadium in memory of Moose Wala, to honor his legacy. On 8 June 2022, the city council of Brampton, Canada, passed a motion to commission a giant mural in honor of Moose Wala. A local artist was tasked with painting the mural, and the city also decided to plant a tree as a tribute to the late singer. In June 2023, the mural was completed. In June 2022, a turban-tying competition was organized by the Shri Guru Ram Dass welfare society in Amritsar to commemorate Moose Wala’s memory. This event was held in recognition of Moose Wala being a turban-wearing Sikh. Punjabi language singer Prem Dhillon released a tribute song titled “Ain’t died in vain” on 16 June 2022, dedicated to Moose Wala. On what would have been his 29th birthday, Moose Wala’s fans paid tribute to him by playing his songs on billboards in New York City’s Times Square. Garry Sandhu also released a tribute song called “Jigar Da Tota” dedicated to Moose Wala. On 5 June 2022, two murals were created in California, USA, as a tribute to Moose Wala. Rapper Bohemia visited the murals and became emotional, expressing his love and respect for the late singer.
On 17 June 2022, Canadian rapper Drake honored Moose Wala’s memory by playing two of his singles, “295” and “G-Shit,” from the album Moosetape on his debut radio show Table for One on Sound42. Later, Drake launched a t-shirt collection as a tribute to Moose Wala, and he even wore one of the t-shirts during a concert in Canada on 28 July. On 25 July 2022, the Pakistan-based literary society Punjabi Virsa presented Moose Wala with the Waris Shah International Award to honor his contributions. In November 2022, Nigerian artist Burna Boy met with Moose Wala’s parents to offer his condolences and seek their blessings. Burna Boy and music producer Steel Banglez honored Moose Wala’s parents with a portrait of their son made from crystals.
Burna Boy had previously paid tribute to Moose Wala on stage, breaking down emotionally while remembering the late singer. Sunny Malton, who was formerly part of the Punjabi group Brown Boys with Moose Wala, released a tribute song titled “Letter to Sidhu” in November 2022, dedicated to his late friend. In April 2023, Moose Wala’s third posthumous release, titled “Mera Na,” was unveiled ahead of the first anniversary of his passing. The song, featuring Burna Boy and Steel Banglez, gained immense popularity and garnered millions of plays. In May 2023, award-winning British rapper Tion Wayne released the song “Healing,” paying tribute to Moose Wala. The song featured Moose Wala’s father (Balkaur Singh Sidhu), his 5911 Tractor, and his village of Moosa. Tion Wayne had previously collaborated with Moose Wala on the song “Celebrity Killer” in 2022.
