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Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n“Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye (Punjab has arrived)”.<\/p>\n There’s only one way to start a show if you’re Diljit Dosanjh.<\/p>\n The trailblazing Punjabi artist has had a dizzying rise over the past few years.<\/p>\n He’s been heard across the world thanks to collaborations with Western acts including Sia, Ed Sheeran and rapper Saweetie.<\/p>\n And he cemented his megastar status by becoming the first Punjabi-language singer to perform at US music festival Coachella, following that with an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show.<\/p>\n But, as the traditional greeting he uses at the start of each show suggests, wherever he goes in the world, he always brings Punjab with him.<\/p>\n And fans, collaborators and friends say that’s part of the secret to his appeal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “He\u2019s shown how important it is to keep in touch with your culture,” says Khushi Kaur, a British Punjabi vocalist.<\/p>\n “And in an empowering way, as an artist who is growing,” Khushi, 20, tells BBC Newsbeat.<\/p>\n Khushi, from Nottingham, considers Diljit her main role model and feels his commitment to Punjabi culture explains some of the success.<\/p>\n “He has worked with Western artists, but maintained that cultural aspect,” she says.<\/p>\n “And that is so important because when us as the younger generation look at that, and see what he’s done… it says to us we can be a part of that.<\/p>\n “In our music or the way we dress, it makes us look up and say \u2018we can make it\u2019.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n During his appearance on The Tonight Show, Diljit performed in his native language and dressed in traditional Punjabi attire, with a bhangra-filled performance.<\/p>\n One of the songs he performed was G.O.A.T., a track he worked on with British-Asian producer G-Funk.<\/p>\n He says Diljit’s appeal comes from a sense of mystery and curiosity, and doesn’t believe Western audiences would pay as much attention if he sang in English.<\/p>\n “People who are not Punjabi are wondering what he\u2019s saying and what the big fuss is,” he says.<\/p>\n “That\u2019s helped him.”<\/p>\n G-Funk says Diljit also resonates with audiences who share his Punjabi heritage by sticking to his traditions and native language.<\/p>\n He says he messaged the star after his Tonight Show appearance: “Thank you for putting our people on the map.”<\/p>\n “To be representing our people, not shying away from our culture is a big thing,” he says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n US rapper Saweetie told Podcrushed that Diljit was a “respectful and humble” collaborator, and it’s something G-Funk says he’s experienced while working with him for a number of years.<\/p>\n Despite being a successful musician, actor and film producer, G-Funk says the singer is a “normal and down to earth guy”, and one of their first meetings took place over dinner at Nando’s.<\/p>\n “He will address people as \u2018Paaji\u2019 [elder brother] even though I\u2019m much younger than him and I haven\u2019t done anything on his level,” says G-Funk.<\/p>\n He is also quick to respond to those lucky enough to have his number.<\/p>\n “He loves his voicenotes and there\u2019s two emojis he likes using. <\/p>\n “Prayer hands and the really smiley face that goes up to your eyes.”<\/p>\n Up-and-coming artist Khushi says staying clear of controversty and the model of modesty Diljit portrays is an inspiration for a young artist like her.<\/p>\n “He has maintained his morals, his ethics and he’s remained humble which is amazing to see.<\/p>\n “I think that’s one thing I definitely keep that no matter how much I do,” she says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n But it’s not just in the music industry itself where Diljit’s impact has been felt.<\/p>\n Siblings Vaibhav and Taniya Happy, who were born in Punjab and grew up listening to Diljit\u2019s early music, say he gives them a slice of home.<\/p>\n Now living in Glasgow, they tell Newsbeat they are “proud” of his journey.<\/p>\n “When he performed at Coachella, that was a proud moment for Punjabis,” says Vaibhav, 20.<\/p>\n “It feels like he’s doing it for us. He was wearing cultural clothes and enjoying himself as a Punjabi, not changing his appearance for other people.”<\/p>\n Taniya, 25, says Diljit has a vibe which is unmatched.<\/p>\n “When you grow up, you can lose a part of your culture as you start adapting to new cultures,” she says.<\/p>\n She feels in an English-speaking country like the UK, “it\u2019s hard for people to speak Punjabi unless they are in their own household”.<\/p>\n “So it\u2019s nice to see people out there singing Diljit, because he sings in Punjabi, and then it feels like your own place.<\/p>\n “It doesn\u2019t feel like you\u2019re in a foreign country,” she says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Taniya and Vaibhav will be among the thousands watching Diljit perform hits like Lover, Vibe and Lak 28 Kudi Da.<\/p>\n For Vaibhav, it will be his first time seeing him and he says he is “gassed”.<\/p>\n “And I\u2019m going with my family \u2013 sister and mum \u2013 which makes it even better.<\/p>\n “I grew up listening to him, with my parents and at events. <\/p>\n “Spending time watching him together is going to be even more beautiful,” he says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nPunjabi power<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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![\"@Casa.Lente](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7c88\/live\/01a49fd0-75d3-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg.webp\")
@Casa.Lente<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/9213\/live\/347e81f0-75d3-11ef-8c1a-df523ba43a9a.jpg.webp\")
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Taniya](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/9155\/live\/06d7feb0-75d4-11ef-b282-4535eb84fe4b.jpg.webp\")
Taniya Happy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Vaibhav](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/379c\/live\/23937e80-75d4-11ef-b02d-c5f3b724a1ea.jpg.webp\")
Vaibhav Happy<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8366\/live\/74a706f0-15d7-11ef-9b12-1ba8f95c4917.jpg.webp\")
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