Music connects us across borders. It helps us remember where we come from and celebrate who we are today.
Right now, Punjabi music is lending its hand in shaping global pop culture, and young audiences are leading the movement.
Across Canada, students see themselves reflected in artists like Diljit Dosanjh, a global superstar who performs in Punjabi on some of the biggest stages in the world. From Coachella to sold-out shows at Toronto's Rogers Centre, Dosanjh proves that you don't need to change who you are to make it big.
Now, TMU is bringing that story into the classroom.
A course designed for a cultural movement
Announced at the Billboard Canada Summit at NXNE, The Creative School - in partnership with Billboard Canada - has launched Canada's first university course that spotlights a Punjabi artist. Starting in January 2026 (course code: RTA 950), students will study Dosanjh's rise and why his success matters.
The course examines:
- How Punjabi music blends hip hop with pop
- How artists build global fanbases
- How cultural identity becomes a business strategy
- How music strengthens communities across borders
Course developer and creative industries professor Charlie Wall-Andrews says, "This course traces the evolution of Punjabi music from its folk and oral traditions to a global genre. Students will explore how Punjabi music has transformed into a force for cultural expression, and international influence from grassroots anthems to contemporary chart-toppers."
President of Billboard Canada, Mo Ghoneim adds, "Artists like Diljit Dosanjh are redefining what it truly means to be global. He's not just setting records; he's pushing past the limits of language, geography and representation. For both Canadian universities and Billboard, it's important to capture and celebrate this moment. It marks a shift toward a generation that connects through culture instead of borders."
Together, TMU and Billboard Canada aren't just documenting a cultural shift - they're building space for it. This partnership bridges academic study with real-world industry insight, so students not only learn about global music movements, but engage with the leaders shaping them.
Students eager to take part can express their interest via our sign-up form. While completing the form doesn't guarantee a spot, as space is limited, it helps ensure students are considered. If you're unsure how this course fits into your program, your academic coordinator can help confirm how it applies to your degree requirements.
"Dosanjh's rise shows that you can achieve worldwide success without leaving your language or culture behind. The industry is moving toward a space where cultural identity isn't a barrier, it's the bridge."
Mo Ghoneim, Billboard Canada president
Music keeps culture alive
For many in the Punjabi diaspora, seeing Dosanjh headline arenas in Toronto, Vancouver and even being the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella sends a powerful message. His performances show that Punjabi language and culture deserve to be celebrated in public spaces.
Music also helps people stay connected - especially when they're far from home.
"In the Punjabi diaspora, music is a way to stay connected to family, memory and home," says Peter Johnston, TMU lecturer in the Department of Philosophy with research interests in ethnomusicology who studies how traditions survive and change through migration. "When people hear their language sung in concert spaces, it reinforces belonging. It says, We are here. We matter.'"
Johnston's research shows that music carries memory across generations. Songs adapt to new places while keeping cultural traditions alive.
"Language carries memory, emotion, and worldview. To hear your mother tongue celebrated not hidden affirms your place in the world," he adds.
The Punjabi wave is here
Dosanjh is part of a larger movement called the Punjabi wave a new generation of artists blending Punjabi folk sounds with rap, hip hop and global pop.
The Canadian music industry is taking notice.
The 2025 Juno Awards introduced a new category: South Asian Music Recording of the Year. It recognizes artists including Karan Aujla, Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga - and shows the growing popularity of South Asian music in Canada.
"This moment shows young artists that authenticity is a strength." Says Ghoneim. "It proves there's room to succeed while staying true to your language, culture and perspective. Seeing that recognized in both education and the industry sends a clear message that individuality holds real value in today's music landscape.
"Recognition reshapes the boundaries of what individuals perceive as attainable. When Punjabi artists are celebrated in these spaces, emerging creators see tangible pathways for their own artistic and professional development."
Mo Ghoneim, Billboard Canada president
TMU's new course explores music as cultural knowledge and a tool for social connection, examining identity, migration, digital fandoms and global markets. Wall-Andrews says, "Artists like Dosanjh let diaspora audiences connect to tradition while embracing modernity. This hybridity preserves cultural memory in new forms rituals of belonging expressed through beats, language, and performance.
Why this course matters now
Canada is home to one of the world's largest Punjabi diasporas.
When thousands of fans come together to sing in Punjabi at Rogers Centre or BC Place, they are doing more than celebrating an artist. They're preserving history through sound.
Diljit Dosanjh's rise marks a cultural milestone and TMU is helping students understand why it matters.
As Punjabi music continues to move across borders and platforms, this course invites students to claim their own stories with pride, and imagine where their voices might take them.
