Karan Aujla

Jaskaran Singh Aujla (born 18 January 1997) is an Indian rapper, singer and songwriter based in Canada who is primarily associated with Punjabi music. He is known for his numerous tracks which have charted on the UK Asian chart published by the Official Charts Company, while seven have charted on the Global YouTube music chart. His debut album '' Bacthafucup'' peaked at number 20 on Billboard Canadian Albums chart and 34th on the New Zealand albums chart, earning him the title of the Largest Digital Artist 2021 on Spotify and had been listed in their Most Popular Artists in Punjabi Music Industry.

Aujla started as a songwriter for Jassi Gill's "Range", from his album ''Replay''. He worked as a songwriter for various other artists including Deep Jandu and Elly Mangat. In 2016, he released his debut song "Property of Punjab" as a lead artist, and started featuring as guest artist in songs. He came into limelight with his tracks like "Yaarian Ch Fikk", "Unity", "Alcohol 2", and "Lafaafe"; subsequently he achieved mainstream popularity in 2018 with "Don't Worry", his first song to enter UK Asian chart. In 2020, his singles " Jhanjar", "Red Eyes" and "Kya Baat Aa" entered top 10 in the chart, while "So Far" entered top 5.

Early life

Jaskaran Singh Aujla was born on 18 January 1997 in the Ghurala village of Ludhiana district in Punjab, India, to Balwinder Singh Aujla and Rajinder Kaur. His parents died when he was 9, and as raised by his sisters and uncle. While studying in 9th standard, Aujla met Jassi Gill in a marriage ceremony and offered him the lyrics of the song ''Range'', which Gill sang and became popular locally. In 2014, Aujla moved to Canada, where he lived with his sister in Vancouver, British Columbia, and attended Burnaby South Secondary School in Burnaby. Aujla worked part-time as a longshoreman in Surrey.

Career

Early career (2014-17)

His debut song "Cell Phone" with Mac Benipal was released in 2014, it was a commercial failure, and had just a few thousand views, Aujla started to attended studio sessions with Deep Jandu and Elly Mangat in Toronto, Ontario. He started to work as a songwriter for artists including Gill, Mangat, Gagan Kokri, Jazzy B, Bohemia and Sukh-E. One of his songs "Blessings of Bapu", sung by Kokri was well received by audience. Later in 2016, he released his debut song "Property of Punjab" as a lead artist; started featuring and performing raps in the songs. Soon after, he released tracks as a lead artist. His recordings include "Alcohol 2", "Yaarian Ch Fikk", "Shit Talk", "Up & Down", and "Lafaafe".

Rise to fame (2018-19)

Aujla got his breakthrough with the song "Don't Worry", featuring Gurlez Akhtar. The song's music video has been viewed over hundred million times on YouTube, and became Aujla's first song to enter UK Asian music chart.

The song was followed by other successes "Rim vs Jhanjhar", "Na Na Na", and "No Need". "Rim vs Jhanjhar" was included in Apple Music 2010s Punjabi essentials playlist. His song "Don't Look" remained in Asian Music Chart for more than twenty-four weeks. The song also appeared in 2019 Apple Music India charts. Also, his songs "Don't Worry", "Hair", "2AM", and "Hint" have been ranked on the chart. In July 2019, Aujla released a title track for the film '' Sikander 2''. His song "Hint" trended for over five days on YouTube in India. Also the song was ranked various charts. The song was debuted at No. 13 on Asian music chart while at number 75 on Global, 27 in India, 9 in Canada, 14 in Australia, and 5 in New Zealand on YouTube charts respectively. Aujla also become the most-listened artist in Punjab, India in December 2019 on YouTube. His next " Chitta Kurta" was also peaked at number 35 and 9 on Global and Indian YouTube charts respectively. In 2019, Spotify included Aujla in the list of the most popular artists in Punjab. Also, he was nominated for Best Singer - Punjabi category at Gaana User's Choice Icons award.

Established singer (2020-present)

In January 2020, the music video for his song " Jhanjar" was viewed over five million times within 24 hours on YouTube, and topped the trending lists in Australia, Canada, and India. The song debuted at number 26 on Global and number 8 on India YouTube Music charts. Also, it entered top 10 on UK Asian music chart. His next " Red Eyes" peaked at number 8 on UK Asian and also appeared on other YouTube charts. In March 2020, his mixtape titled ''Geetan Di Machine'' was released unofficially on various music platforms, which consists of his unreleased and leaked songs, and the album was later removed. In April 2020, his song "Sheikh" along with an accompanying music video was leaked. Within the few hours of leak, Aujla announced the official release of the original audio and music video. In May 2020, his four singles "Red Eyes", "Sheikh", "Chitta Kurta", and "Jhanjar" appeared simultaneously on UK Asian chart. In the same month, Aujla on his Instagram live stated that he is working on his debut album. In June 2020, his "Let 'em Play" peaked at number 14 on Apple Music chart, and debuted at number 15 on UK Asian chart. In July 2020, "So Far" became his first track to enter top 5 on UK Asian chart.

His "Haan Haige Aa" was viewed around eleven million times in twenty-four hours. In the same month, his written "G.O.A.T." from Diljit Dosanjh's album of the same name was released, it became a major commercial success. Also, the song debuted at number 13 on New Zealand Hot Singles by ''Recorded Music NZ'', and topped UK Asian, UK Punjabi, and Top Triller Global chart by '' Billboard'', and became his first song to appear on any New Zealand and ''Billboard'' official chart. It debuted at number one on Apple Music chart in India. In August 2020, "Kya Baat Aa" starring Tania in its music video, was released with no prior announcement. The song peaked at number one on Spotify chart in India. His next song "Adhiya" released on YouTube in October 2020. His song "Chithiyan", launched 10 November 2020 by Speed Records, gathered 32 million views within a fortnight of being released. In December, he collaborated with Bohemia, The Game and J. Hind, for a single "Ek Din". He released his single, "Hukam", on 4 February 2021 on YouTube through Rehaan Records. He went on to collaborate with Dilpreet Dhillon for the fifth time for the latter's song "Jatt Te Jawani" released on 23 April 2021.

Later in 2021, he announced his debut album named '' Bacthafucup'' (''B.T.F.U.'') produced by Tru Skool. In June he released "Intro", which was followed by the release of "Chu Gon Do", the album's first single, in the following month. He released the full album on 15 September 2021. The album reached the Trending chart and peaked on many mainstream charts on Apple Music, iTunes and Spotify.

On 16 September 2021, Karan Aujla became India's Biggest Digital Artist with a world ranking of 38. His debut album charted at No. 6 on Spotify Global Debut Album chart. On 29 September 2021, his album charted on No. 19 on Billboard Top Canadian Albums.

In 2022, he released his collaboration "YKWIM" with famous rapper KR$NA and announced new EP "Way Ahead" at the end of song.

Personal life

In 2019, Aujla got a tattoo of his mother's face on his right arm. He also has a tattoo of his father on the same arm.

In March 2020, he got tattoos of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh on his left arm.

Aujla married his girlfriend, Palak, in 2023.

Aujla possesses a Canadian Permanent Residency Card.

Aujla has expressed his willingness to collaborate with rappers 50 Cent and the Drake.

Gang attack incident

In June 2019, reports speculated that Aujla was attacked in Surrey, British Columbia on 8 June 2019. A Punjab-based gang took responsibility of the attack, but later retracted their involvement. Aujla wrote that the incident was a rumor. In November 2019, the leader of the Punjab-based gang, Sukhpreet Budda, was arrested by Interpol in Armenia for relations to the gang attack.

Controversies

Feuds

Aujla had a well-known public rivalry with fellow rapper Sidhu Moose Wala. Both had been taking shots at each other via their songs and both the artists have been criticised for songs promoting violence. Elly Mangat, who had previously worked with both the artists, disclosed in an interview that the dispute began when Sidhu's video targeting Aujla in his song was leaked to Aujla's management, and they threatened to attack Sidhu. Following the incident, both started targeting each other on social media. The rivalry was resolved temporarily until Karan Aujla released a track called "Lafaafe" with Sanam Bhullar. Followed by this, Moose Wala released his diss track "Warning Shots" featuring Sunny Malton, claiming Aujla's song was about him. Subsequently, Aujla stated in an interview that he didn't write the track "Lafaafe", and refused to comment further regarding their rivalry. In 2021, after Moose Wala's death, Aujla paid tribute with the song "Maa".

Complaints in India

On numerous occasions while performing in India, Aujla has received complaints by locals and authorities regarding his lyrics and stage demeanor.

In February 2020, Chandigarh Police advised him not to sing any of his song promoting violence, guns or drugs during his concert at DAV College, Chandigarh. Aujla complied.

In September 2021, after the release of his debut album ''Bacthafucup'' (''B.T.F.U.''), a complaint was filed by the Punjab State Commission For Women over the song "Sharab", against himself, Harjit Harman and the record label, Speed Records for comparing women to alcohol, drugs and guns in the song. Later the issue was resolved through communication with the complainant.

On 2 December 2024, ahead of his show in Chandigarh, Pandit Rao Dharennavar, a resident of Chandigarh, filed a police complaint against Karan Aujla, accusing him of promoting harmful content and encouraging alcohol, drugs, and violence through his songs. He asked him to refrain from performing tracks like "Chitta Kurta," "Adhia," "Few Days," "Alcohol 2," "Gangsta," and "Bandook" during his Chandigarh show.

Other ventures

Hukam clothing

Aujla launched his own clothing brand named "Hukam Clothing" on 25 November 2021.

Apple Music Up Next Program

Karan Aujla produced a short film as a part of the global initiative Apple Music Up Next. It was released through Apple Music alongside his EP 'Four Me' in 2024.

Discography

Studio albums
* '' Bacthafucup'' (2021)
* ''Making Memories'' (2023)
Collaborative albums

* ''Street Dreams'' (with Divine) (2024)

EPs

* ''Way Ahead'' (2022)
* ''Four You'' (2023)

* ''Four Me'' (2024)

Accolades

See also

* Karan Aujla discography

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Aujla, Karan
1997 births
Living people
Singers from Punjab, India
Punjabi rappers
Punjabi-language lyricists
Punjabi-language singers
21st-century Canadian rappers
Desi musicians
Canadian musicians of Indian descent
Canadian people of Punjabi descent
Indian emigrants to Canada
Canadian hip-hop singers
Canadian male singer-songwriters
Juno Fan Choice Award winners