Karan Aujla Becomes First Punjabi Artist To Join Apple Music's 'Up Next' Programme

In a groundbreaking move, Apple Music has announced that singer, rapper, and lyricist Karan Aujla is the latest addition to its Up Next program, making him the first Indian artist selected for this global initiative. The Up Next program aims to discover, highlight, and develop emerging talent worldwide.

Karan Aujla, born Jaskaran Singh Aujla in Ghurala, Punjab, in 1997, moved to Vancouver in 2014 and began his career as a lyricist in 2016. Initially, he composed music for prominent Punjabi musicians Diljit Dosanjh and Jazzy B. Since launching his solo career in 2018, Aujla has collaborated with well-known rappers, including YG and Badshah.

Despite his success as a solo artist, Aujla's lyrical background is evident in his work, which is rich with vivid imagery and clever analogies drawn from Punjabi culture. His unique sound, combining hard-hitting hip-hop with R&B vocal styles, has contributed to his widespread popularity.

Apple Music’s Up Next, a monthly artist program, supports emerging musicians by utilizing the platform’s vast resources to raise their profile among music lovers worldwide. Each month, Apple Music’s editorial staff selects a new artist to spotlight, providing various forms of promotional assistance, such as an iPhone short film, an interview with an Apple Music radio anchor, and more.

Previous artists featured in the Up Next program include Grammy-nominated and critically acclaimed talents such as Khalid, Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, and Megan Thee Stallion. Now in its eighth year, the Up Next program includes a curated companion playlist featuring new and emerging artists chosen by Apple Music editors from around the world.

The playlist showcases musicians that Apple Music editors are enthusiastic about and want to promote to a wider audience. It spans various genres and nations, reflecting the program’s broad scope. In March 2021, Apple Music expanded its Up Next initiative to include localized marketing, spotlighting musicians from several countries, including India.