Rising Punjabi star is living the dream with UK tour

Tegi Pannu is a talented singer who is currently making waves in the music industry, especially with his recent tour in the UK. He has spent an impressive eight weeks at the top of the British Asian Music Chart, which is a significant achievement for any artist. In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, Tegi was seen wearing a black hoodie and a grey t-shirt, accessorized with a silver necklace. He spoke into a microphone while a purple LED light illuminated the wall behind him. Reflecting on his journey, Tegi recalled a meaningful quote from his father: 'Those who dream the most, do the most. ' This quote resonates deeply with him as he shares his aspirations of performing on stage and having people appreciate his music before knowing who he is. Tegi has been on a successful tour across the UK, where he has performed songs like Forever, Schedule, and Untouchable. These tracks have not only charted well but have also been streamed hundreds of millions of times by his enthusiastic fans. He is part of a new generation of Punjabi artists who are gaining international recognition, alongside other notable names like Diljit Dosanjh and AP Dhillon. However, Tegi's path to success has not been without its challenges. He and his family relocated from India to Australia when he was a teenager, and during this time, his brother emphasized that music should not be his main focus. 'You have to work and then you've got your parents to look after,' he recalls, adding that he was more concerned about his visa status than pursuing a music career. At one point, he doubted whether he could make music his profession, but he found solace in keeping it as a hobby. 'You can't let go of some things. They are in your heart, and music was always in my heart,' he explains. Tegi believes that if you pursue something with genuine passion, it will eventually be recognized. Balancing a 'very unstable' hobby while his family was trying to establish a new life in Australia was not easy for him. He focused on securing his residency first and followed his brother's advice, but he also yearned to carve out his own path. Before his music career took off, Tegi led a relatively low-key life and was not very active on social media. He describes himself as an introverted person, but now he sees himself as someone who is deeply passionate about music and eager to achieve more. The turning point for Tegi came during the coronavirus pandemic, which he refers to as 'pre-lockdown Tegi and post-lockdown Tegi. ' Once the strict Covid restrictions were lifted in Australia, he began to notice the growing popularity of his songs, particularly Schedule and Untouchable. 'People recognizing and playing your sound was exciting because that's what I dreamed of as a young kid,' he shares. After the release of Untouchable, he started going out more, and fans began to call out his name in public, asking for photos. This newfound attention was unexpected for him, and he found it thrilling. Tegi's parents are also feeling the impact of his success, as they have become more popular in their community. 'Everyone's calling them more, and they have visitors at their house every few weeks. Now they're realizing that this is big,' he says with pride. Tegi has big dreams for his future and looks up to fellow Punjabi artists like Diljit Dosanjh and Karan Aujla. He admires Diljit for his consistency and ability to create exciting music, stating, 'I haven't seen someone that good on stage. ' He also praises Karan for his exceptional songwriting skills, saying, 'No one can match his composition and lyrics. ' Despite his success, Tegi feels the pressure to continue producing hits, especially with his latest release, Hold On, which he describes as having a 'dance pop sound. ' He acknowledges that there will always be new talent emerging in the industry, and he must keep improving and adapting to new sounds. 'You have to keep doing things like they matter and work hard,' he advises. However, Tegi's approach to music remains straightforward. 'I like to make music that I enjoy. If I like the music, I think people are going to like it as well. If I don't like it, I don't think people will connect with it. ' He is also interested in exploring a more country music style, which some might consider a risk, but Tegi believes that experimentation is essential. 'If you don't experiment, you won't know what people think of you,' he concludes.