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AP Dhillon Interview: On His India Tour, Being Inspired By Bollywood Movies And Collaborating With His Dad
With 'The Brownprint', an album that speaks to those who feel “caught between cultures”, the Indo-Canadian singer kicks off a three-city tour in India.
Amritpal Singh “AP” Dhillon is still getting used to being famous. “I went from working out of a homemade garage studio to selling out arenas in less than three years,” he says. With ‘Brown Munde’ amassing over 706 million views on YouTube, followed by ‘Insane’ at 193 million and ‘Excuses’ at 120 million, Dhillon has become a global phenomenon. Add that to his 3.7 million Instagram followers, and he’s certainly got plenty to get accustomed to.
Having grown up in Gurdaspur, Punjab, and now based in Vancouver, Canada, the Indo-Canadian singer and rapper understands his diasporic audience well. He recalls, “My dad (Kuldeep Singh Dhillon) introduced me to Sufi music, which was a huge part of my life early on. But as I grew older, Western influences like hip-hop, rock and pop started blending in.” This called for the creation of a unique musical landscape.
Surprisingly, Dhillon never planned on pursuing music professionally. It felt like an impossible dream, he thought. “Initially, music was just a hobby, but it grew into something bigger. It allowed me to express my identity, my story and the realities of my life.”
At just 31, the singer has created a signature sound he’s known for. Yet, his music is much more than that. “It’s about staying true to myself,” he says, in light of his recent EP, The Brownprint. “It’s about the struggle, ambition and pursuit of dreams, all filtered through my Punjabi heritage,” he explains, as he chats with The Hollywood Reporter India, ahead of his India tour — which kicks off on December 7 in Mumbai — followed by performances in New Delhi and Chandigarh.
Today, you have millions of fans across the globe. Is it everything you ever dreamed of?
I'm incredibly grateful for the success, and the opportunity to represent my culture globally. The pressure is intense, but I stay grounded by focusing on authentic storytelling and tuning out the noise. The love and appreciation is a blessing — and I don’t take it for granted. I’m still learning how to process being in the spotlight. I’m actually a low-key person, so it’s tough for me to be a public figure while also retaining my sense of individuality.
Besides collaborations with singers like Shinda Kahlon, Gunna, Ayra Starr, Jazzy B and Syra, The Brownprint also features a song written by your father — how did that come about?
Earlier this year, I was visiting my family at home in Punjab and I had set up a makeshift home studio to work on music during my time off. I started making a beat and my father just instinctively started writing. It was not planned at all, but when he showed me what he was writing, I instantly fell in love with it. I added some modern musical elements to fit the album, but the core emotion remains his. It was an immense honour to work with his art. Ultimately, it became a beautiful connection between generations; a bridge between traditional poetry and modern music.
Did you enjoy filming your latest music videos in India?
I have always wanted to shoot music videos in India, but I could never find the right time or the right story to tell. I wanted them to showcase the culture in a tasteful manner. The first one was ‘After Midnight’, shot in a remote village in Haryana, where the local community pulled together to help us make it a reality. We planned and shot the video in the 72 hours before I flew out — literally. The second video I shot was ‘Old Money’. This was inspired by the old school Punjabi and Bollywood action movies I had watched growing up as a kid in India. Directing these was so incredibly rewarding, as I was able to truly capture the vision I wanted. I can’t wait to shoot more in India!
Which is your favourite track from the album?
This is always the hardest question to answer! I can never really pick a favourite. Every song has a different story behind it and means something special to me. It is like choosing between your children.
Did you expect ‘Brown Munde’ to blow up like it did?
Honestly, we never did. We knew it was a good song, but for it to become a cultural phenomenon was not something we planned for. It was about our reality, our experience as immigrants trying to break through and make a living in the West. That authenticity, I think, is what connected (with the people). It took a few months after the release until the Indian audience picked up on the song… and then there was no looking back. We'd wake up and see celebrities and athletes sharing it. But honestly, if you try to make a hit, it never works. We just made something real to us, and it resonated with people globally. That's the crazy part — it wasn't just the Punjabi diaspora, but everyone. Music has no boundaries.
What was the story behind ‘With You’ — the go-to love song for couples around the world?
‘With You’ came together when I was on a long haul flight to Dubai and I just couldn’t sleep. I put my headphones in and started working on music. The producer had just recently sent me a beat and when I listened to it again, I felt that the lyrics of ‘With You’ fit it perfectly. In terms of the video, everyone has a romantic side, and I wanted to keep it relatable. No big budget, no professional set, no over-the-top production. Just an iPhone and an idea. I didn't foresee its massive success, though. It's beautiful to see couples using it to celebrate their relationships — it shows the power of music to connect with people. It's different from my other work, and that's the point. I don't want to be confined to one style, and instead explore different facets of my artistry.
Who’s your go-to person?
My family and my team always have my back!
You’re also quite fashionable…
My style is simply an expression of myself. It's not pre-planned or dictated by the music I'm making. Some days it's casual, other days it's high-fashion. These days, I’m on the look-out for brands that aren’t all about the logo being plastered everywhere. It’s all about how I'm feeling at the moment.
What are you most looking forward to about your India tour?
My India tour is going to be incredible. The energy of the Indian audience is unmatched… it's a feeling you can't describe unless you've experienced it. I'm especially excited to perform the new tracks from The Brownprint live and see how the fans react. Looking ahead, 2025 will bring new music, more tours and exciting collaborations.