Punjab state top police official VK Bhawra said that the initial investigation has revealed that the killing is an inter-gang rivalry. Indian police are investigating the death of a popular Punjabi rapper, who combined hip-hop, rap, and folk music a day after he was fatally shot.
Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu is the original name but is also known around the world by his stage name Sidhu Moose Wala.
He was killed on Sunday evening while driving his car in Mansa which is a district in northern India’s Punjab state. Moose Wala was 28 years old and was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead.
A day before the attack, the Punjab government had drawn security cover for over 400 individuals including Moose Wala, in an offer to mute down on VIP culture.
Initial investigation has revealed the killing is an inter-gang rivalry
Sidhu Moose Wala started his career as a songwriter before a hit song in 2017 launched his singing career which made him famous among the Indian and Punjabi migration in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada.
Most of his singles have an English title but the songs were mainly sung in Punjabi. In 2018 his debut album made it to Canada’s Billboard Albums chart.
Moose Wala was a controversial personality due to his lyrical style. In 2020 police charged him under India’s Arms Act for promoting gun culture in one of his songs.
His latest track “The Last Ride,” was released this month. He joined India Congress Party last year and unsuccessfully ran in the state assembly elections.
Punjab’s chief minister Bhagwant Mann said “no culprit will be spared” and that he was deeply shocked and saddened by death.
Rahul Gandhi who is a senior Congress leader expressed his condolences and said “Deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of promising Congress leader and talented artist,”