Karan Aujla: Rise of a Punjabi Powerhouse
Early life & background
Jaskaran Singh Aujla, known professionally as Karan Aujla, was born on 18 January 1997 in Ghurala village, Ludhiana, Punjab. After losing both parents at age nine, he was raised by his sisters and uncle. As a teen, he began penning lyrics—something he did at a wedding with Jassi Gill, leading to the song “Range” gaining local attention. In 2014, Aujla moved to Canada, living in Vancouver and working as a longshoreman while attending Burnaby South Secondary School.
Musical beginnings (2014–2017)
Aujla’s entry into music began with the collaborative single “Cell Phone” in 2014, which had modest success. He then honed his songwriting skills in Toronto, writing for leading Punjabi music voices like Bohemia, Jassi Gill, and Jazzy B. In 2016, he released “Property of Punjab” and followed up with a string of popular tracks such as “Alcohol 2,” “Yaarian Ch Fikk,” and “Lafaafe”.
Breakthrough & acclaim (2018–present)
The track “Don’t Worry” (2018) was Aujla’s breakthrough, landing on the UK Asian Chart and earning over 100 million YouTube views. Through 2020, hits like “Jhanjar,” “Red Eyes,” “Chitta Kurta,” and “Sheikh” dominated charts around the world. His debut album, Bacthafucup (2021), produced by Tru Skool, cemented his status and charted internationally. In 2023, he signed with Warner Music Canada and India, releasing his second studio album Making Memories with Canadian producer Ikky. The single “Admirin’ You” amassed 11 million YouTube views within 24 hours.
Milestones & global recognition
Aujla continues to expand his horizons—collaborating with Tiësto on “Softly” (2023), and venturing into Bollywood chatter through the song “Tauba Tauba” (2024) alongside Vicky Kaushal, which topped Indian and UK Asian charts.
At the 2024 Juno Awards, he made history by becoming the first Punjabi hip‑hop artist to win the TikTok Fan Choice Award . Meanwhile, Making Memories became the highest‑charting Punjabi album in Canadian history, debuting at No. 5 on Canadian charts and boosting Punjabi’s global appeal.
Personal life & ventures
Aujla—the “Geeta Di Machine”—married his long-time partner Palak in 2023 and holds Canadian PR. He has also launched a clothing line, “Hukam Clothing,” and in 2024, was featured in Apple Music’s Up Next program with his EP Four Me.
Why he matters
From rural Punjab to global charts, Karan Aujla’s musical journey resonates with millions—blending traditional Punjabi rhythms with modern hip-hop, pop, and R&B. With billion‑plus streams, chart‑topping releases, and genre‑defying collaborations, he’s cementing Punjabi music’s place on the world stage.