PTI
New Delhi, June 17
The internet is slowly catching up with phenom Sidhu Moosewala as the late Punjabi singer’s song “295” hit the Billboard Global 200 Chart.
Moosewala, real name Shubhdeep Singh, has had a cult following in India with songs like ‘So High’, ‘Same Beef’, ‘The Last Ride’ and ‘Just Listen’.
Weeks after his horrific murder in Punjab, the global diaspora began exploring the singer’s vast discography.
On the Billboard Global 200 Chart, Moosewala’s “295” made a sudden entrance this week and is listed at No. 154 on Friday.
The list is dominated by “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by American singer Kate Bush and also includes tracks from Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Lizzo, Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber.
“295” and its official video, which Moosewala posted in July 2021, are also creating waves on YouTube and its dedicated music streaming platform YouTube Music.
On YouTube, “295”‘s viewership has increased by nearly 200 million and the track is ranked number three on its global top 100 music video charts.
Moosewala’s other track, “The Last Ride,” trended upward on the chart as it is now listed in sixth place. The video has amassed over 73 million views on YouTube.
On YouTube Music, “295” ranks fourth in the global rankings, while taking second place in the platform’s top artists list.
Moosewala, who had joined the Congress months before the state assembly elections, was shot dead on May 29 by unidentified assailants in Punjab’s Mansa district, a day after the state government reduced its security coverage.
His killing had shocked the Indian film and music community with dozens of Indian artists paying tribute to Moosewala on social media.
From the global music community, Canadian rapper Drake had offered his condolences on Moosewala’s death on May 30.
In a post on his Instagram Stories, Drake shared a photo of the “So High” hitmaker with his mother and captioned it, “RIP MOOSE @sidhu_moosewala.” In 2020, Drake started following Moosewala on Instagram.
Moosewala, who counted Drake among his musical influences and followed him on social media, was a regular performer at live shows in Canada.
Globally popular comedian and YouTuber Lilly Singh also paid tribute to Moosewala. She called him a “legend” and had asked his followers to stream Moosewala’s music.
“If you see any tribute images of him today, please don’t continue scrolling, but rather take a moment to stream the music of Sidhu Moosewala. It featured in my content often and always made people ask me, “What song is that?!” Thanks to his revolutionary music, he will live.
“Beyond the care he had for his community, he created the soundtrack that made many of us feel seen, a perfect blend of hip hop, rap and folk music,” she posted on Instagram.
Moosewala was honored by Nigerian rapper Burna Boy at a recent concert. In a viral clip, Burma Boy was seen getting emotional as he remembered the Indian musician.
He then performed the signature Moosewala step of slapping his thigh and pointing a finger up.
Earlier this week, the Punjabi singer was honored with a special tribute in New York’s Times Square as snippets of his songs played on a billboard outside the Nasdaq MarketSite office.
#sidhu moosewala
