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SiriusXM Canada’s Dhamaka Was a Hub for South Asian Music at NXNE 2025
SiriusXM Canada’s new South Asian music channel, Dhamaka, made a major splash at NXNE 2025 in Toronto.
Billboard Canada partnered with Dhamaka on Sunday, June 15, for an exclusive showcase at El Mocambo that brought long-time fans face-to-face with some of the most recognizable names in South Asian music in Canada, including Gurinder Gill, AR Paisley and Anjulie. All three artists performed their hits, with Anjulie joined by dancers for a choreographed pop performance including her latest viral song “Love Bomb Me.”
The event also featured a live Q&A with all three featured artists hosted by Billboard Canada CCO Elizabeth Crisante.
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“I’m incorporating a lot of my culture now into my music,” said Anjulie. “I’m Indo-Guyanese and Caribbean so I pull from a lot of that as well as South Asian influences, a little Afro, and obviously I grew up in Toronto, so I grew up listening to a lot of Toronto radio – shout out Toronto radio and SiriusXM. It was a melting pot and it really influenced a lot of what I’m doing now. There’s an opening for a different kind of voice, like we’re seeing with K-pop and Afrobeat and all of these global influences in mainstream pop music - I feel like a kid in a candy store now."
Anjulie at SiriusXM Canada's Dhamaka launch at NXNE 2025.Door 24
Toronto’s AR Paisley reflected on being a South Asian rapper who performs in English.
“It gives me a unique perspective,” he said. “I feel like there’s a lot of Punjabi singers that sing in Punjabi. But I just so happen to be a Punjabi person that raps in English, so it’s a little bit of a unique take and something that gives me an edge.”
During their conversation, Gurinder Gill revealed that he had “new surprises” planned after his return to the stage on that night. He also hinted that a reunion with his original collaborators, AP Dhillon and Shinda Kahlon could be on the horizon.
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"We're just waiting for the right, natural moment when everyone comes back into the studio – like we used to back in the old times – and you know, create some fire songs for you guys," Gill said.
The news was met with excitement from fans, many of whom have been hoping for new music from the trio since their last release as a unit.
It was a rare performance from Gill, marking his return to the stage after a long hiatus from live shows. The Punjabi music star delivered a high-energy set that celebrated the rising influence of South Asian music in Canada’s mainstream. He was joined by special guests, including rapper Paisley and producer Money Musik. Fans packed the front of the stage, singing and dancing along to every lyric—from early anthems like “Brown Munde” to new hits like “World Is Yours.”
Gurinder Gill at SiriusXM Canada's Dhamaka launch at NXNE 2025.Door 24
The launch of Dhamaka marks a significant moment for South Asian artists in North America. Curated by Emmy-nominated music supervisor Raoul Juneja, who hosted the event, the channel features a mix of genres – from Punjabi and Hindi pop to Pakistani hip-hop, Tamil beats, and Caribbean-inspired Desi sounds – designed to reflect the full spectrum of South Asian music today. Dhamaka is available on Channel 796 on the SiriusXM app.
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NXNE was a major hub for the biggest Punjabi stars in the world. SiriusXM Canada also presented superstar Diljit Dosanjh in conversation with Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy, at the Billboard Summit at TIFF Lightbox.
Dosanjh rarely speaks in a live interview and the day saw him in a reflective mood – talking about the importance of his Coachella debut, performing in his mother tongue, and what it means for Punjabi artists to gain global recognition.
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Reflecting on his Coachella experience, Dosanjh admitted “it was a challenge,” but said he enjoyed himself – and shared that by the end of the festival, one of Coachella’s top executives personally thanked him, saying his performance “had opened the doors to a whole new market in India.” The “G.O.A.T.” hitmaker also brought up the rumour that Diljit had a collaboration with Shakira.
"She asked me to do a Punjabi version of 'Hips Don't Lie,'" he said. "I said ok, it's going to be tricky, but I'm going to try this."
South Asian music artists are making waves in Canada and SiriusXM showed up at NXNE to prove it’s leading the charge.
AR Paisley at SiriusXM Canada's Dhamaka launch at NXNE 2025. Door 24
From Bollywood to Bhangra to Hip-Hop and more, South Asian music breaks boundaries and spans generations. SiriusXM Dhamaka is the home for all of your favourite South Asian artists from across the globe. You'll hear Karan Aujla, AP Dhillon, Sidhu Moose Wala and many more. Designed to reflect the full spectrum of South Asian music today. Dhamaka is available on Channel 796 on the SiriusXM app. Click here to listen now.
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