Latest news with #Brampton-based
Mint
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Meet Shubh, the second Punjabi artiste after Diljit Dosanjh to grace Billboard Canada and sell out North American arenas
Shubh, the India-born, Brampton-based Punjabi singer, has made history by becoming the second Indian and second Punjabi artiste to appear solo on the cover of Billboard Canada. The only other Indian artist to receive this honour is global icon Diljit Dosanjh. This milestone marks a turning point not just for Shubh, but for Punjabi music worldwide. It signals a growing global appreciation for regional Indian sounds, with Shubh at the forefront of this movement. Coinciding with his Billboard feature, Shubh is set to begin his debut North American tour this August. The tour will begin at Oakland Arena on August 22, followed by Vancouver's Rogers Arena on August 23, and a major show at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on September 5 - a stage once graced by legends like Eminem. The tour wraps up at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on September 7. 'I never expected this,' Shubh says about the arena tour. 'But I'm very happy that we're performing in arenas.' He also recalls his first concert in 2023 at Indigo at the O2 in London. 'My voice was shaking,' he admits. 'I was very hyped up, but it also humbled me down.' Earlier this year, Shubh released 'Sicario', a 10-track album that debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. The album, with over 250 million streams, blends Punjabi lyrics with modern hip-hop. Tracks like 'Buckle Up' and 'Aura' highlight his versatility. Following Sicario, his single Supreme became a viral hit. It debuted on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, hit No. 1 on Apple Music India and Canada, and continues to stream over 1 million times a day on Spotify. Shubh's rise shows that Punjabi music is not only thriving but going global.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Punjabi Star Shubh Becomes Second Indian Artist On Billboard Canada Cover After Diljit Dosanjh
Last Updated: Shubh becomes the second Indian artist on Billboard Canada's cover, launching a North American arena tour and redefining global success for Punjabi music. In a landmark moment for global music, India-born, Brampton-based Punjabi singer Shubh has etched his name into history by becoming only the second Indian—and second Punjabi—artist to appear on the solo cover of Billboard Canada, following superstar Diljit Dosanjh. More than just a personal milestone, this moment marks a cultural inflection point for Punjabi music, reflecting its explosive global growth and rising influence across mainstream music spaces. Coinciding with this milestone is the announcement of Shubh's debut North American tour—an audacious arena-scale event that kicks off August 22 at Oakland Arena and continues through Vancouver, Toronto, and New Jersey. The Toronto stop, scheduled at Scotiabank Arena on September 5, places Shubh on a stage once graced by icons like Eminem. That he's chosen arenas for his very first North American tour speaks volumes about both his confidence and the demand for his music on a global scale. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Billboard Canada (@billboardca) Shubh's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Without the backing of a record label, and with zero money spent on advertising or promotions, he has amassed over 3 billion streams across platforms. In his own words, shared during his Billboard Canada interview, 'I didn't think I would ever chart." His manager, Shivam Malhotra of Malsons Media, confirmed that his entire journey has been organic, rooted in authenticity and word-of-mouth growth: 'Shubh has never spent a dollar on ads or marketing. Everything has grown organically." Earlier this year, his second studio album Sicario, a 10-track project showcasing his lyrical dexterity and genre-blending finesse, debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart and has garnered over 250 million streams so far. With a mix of hard-hitting tracks like 'Buckle Up" and 'Reckless" and melodic anthems like 'Aura" and 'Fell For You," the album cemented his versatility. Riding on that success, Shubh released the single 'Supreme," which further demonstrated his streaming dominance. The song debuted on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and climbed to the No. 1 spot on Apple Music in both India and Canada. It also hit No. 3 on Spotify India and currently averages over a million streams per day on Spotify alone. What truly defines Shubh, however, is not just commercial success but a relentless dedication to his craft. A self-described perfectionist, he writes all his lyrics by hand in notebooks he treats like diaries. 'My aim wasn't attention, it was precision," he says. That mantra is reflected in the painstaking care he puts into every track. He sometimes spends months on a single song, testing its resonance by listening to it hundreds of times. 'If I'm not tired of it after 200 plays, then I know it's ready," he shares. His 2022 hit 'Baller" underwent 29 different mixes before he reluctantly released it—still not completely satisfied. According to his manager, his songs average eight streams per user on Spotify, a testament to their staying power. Despite the spotlight, Shubh remains grounded and introspective. His first-ever live concert was a sold-out show at Indigo at the O2 in London in 2023, and he still remembers the nerves. 'My voice was shaking," he recalls. 'I was very hyped up, but it also humbled me down." That humility continues to define his musical journey. He eschewed visual branding in his early releases, keeping his identity partially hidden to let the music speak first. Songs like 'We Rollin," released without a full music video or face reveal, exploded organically and established his global fanbase. Shubh's sonic palette is wide-ranging and fearless. Drawing from his love for Bob Marley, he released the reggae-influenced 'One Love," which has now surpassed 400 million streams on Spotify. He plans to experiment with rock next, stating, 'I think I'll try rock in the next two to three months." His live shows are entirely performed with a band—no backing tracks. 'I don't believe in doing minus," he asserts, reinforcing his commitment to authenticity and artistry. Even as he sings exclusively in Punjabi, Shubh's music explores universal themes—migration, longing, identity, perseverance. 'I write about what it feels like to leave home, move to a new country, and figure things out alone," he says. For him, music is about connection beyond language. 'People feel the vibe," he believes. His engagement with fans goes beyond passive appreciation. 'For me, my fans are like family," he says. 'I reply to them online. I see everything." That direct connection, paired with his unfiltered approach to growth, has built an intensely loyal and diverse global following. Shubh's journey began like many immigrant stories—he arrived in Canada in 2014 as an international student to study mechanical engineering at Sheridan College. Music at that time was simply a private refuge. That changed in 2021 when he released 'We Rollin," which unexpectedly went viral and opened doors he hadn't imagined. 'That first song made me realize something special was happening," he reflects. The future holds even bigger ambitions. Though a 2023 tour in India was canceled due to political controversy surrounding a misinterpreted social media post, Shubh has turned that setback into motivation. He's now planning large-scale shows with intricate staging and world-class production design. 'I'm building something really special," he says. 'It's never been done before in our scene." His dream is to perform in stadiums and 'pack entire cities." More than just a rising star, Shubh is a symbol of what's possible in the independent music space. 'If I can buy a beat for $80 and get 300 million streams out of it, I believe anyone can do it," he says. His message to aspiring artists is simple: 'Keep trying, keep hustling, be consistent. If you bring honesty to your work, anything is possible." With a pen in his hand, Punjabi on his lips, and the world as his audience, Shubh's Billboard Canada cover isn't just a personal triumph—it's a cultural milestone for an entire generation of artists redefining what global success looks like. First Published:
India Today
4 days ago
- India Today
Indian-origin among 18 held in towing scam targeting South Asians
Over a dozen Indian-origin individuals were arrested by Canada's Peel Regional Police (PRP), and over CAD $4.2 million (approximately Rs 2.5 crore) in assets were confiscated after dismantling a Brampton-based organised crime network tied to the towing Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the investigation began following a rise in violent extortion threats, mainly targeting South Asian business stated that the criminal network used violence to threaten and extort drivers, and also staged vehicle collisions to defraud insurance The violence included arson, threatening online messages, and drive-by shootings, The Globe and Mail quoted Duraiappah as investigation was launched amid a surge in violent extortion threats against the South Asian community, according to the police individuals charged include Inderjit Dhami (38), Paritosh Chopra (32), Gurbinder Singh (28), Kulwinder Puri (25), Parminder Puri (31), Inderjit Bal (29), Varun Aul (31), Ketan Chopra (30), Pawandeep Singh (25), Dipanshu Garg (24), Rahul Verma (27), Karan Boparai (26), Mankirat Boparai (22), Simar Boparai (21), Jovan Singh (23), and Abhinav Bhardwaj (25)."A large number of the extortions we have been investigating over these years can be attributed to this criminal organisation and those associated with it," Duraiappah said at a news conference, according to a report in month, three Indian-origin men were arrested in Brampton after they fired shots inside a business establishment in the city to extort money, according to a 51-year-old Indo-Canadian businessman, Harjeet Dhadda, was shot multiple times in a parking area in Mississauga, Ontario, on May 14. Dhadda, a native of Uttarakhand, had been targeted with several extortion threats, and his daughter held authorities responsible for not preventing his OUTSOURCE WAS LAUNCHED IN 2024In July 2024, "Project Outsource" was launched to investigate a criminal organisation believed to be behind a significant number of extortion incidents and related acts of violence, according to a statement issued by the police on suspects were found to be associated with towing companies operating under the names Certified Roadside and Humble Roadside. Investigators uncovered evidence that these individuals were engaged in insurance fraud by staging vehicle collisions, and using threats, assaults, and firearms to exert control over local towing operations, the statement AMONG 18 HELD FOR THEIR ALLEGED INVOLVEMENTA woman from King City and seventeen men from Brampton were arrested and are now facing a combined 97 charges, including extortion, directing and participating in a criminal organisation, and involvement in staged collision the course of the investigation, authorities seized a range of assets linked to the criminal included 18 tow trucks valued at CAD $2.8 million, four personal vehicles worth CAD $840,000, and five stolen vehicles recovered with a combined value of CAD $571,000. Additionally, six firearms, 586 rounds of ammunition, two bulletproof vests, and various other weapons, including a crossbow, taser, and baseball bats, were accused were charged and then released with a court date set for later, while 15 others were kept in custody for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Nearly half of the 18 were already out on some form of court-ordered release when they were arrested, according to the expect more arrests and charges as the investigation continues.
Global News
5 days ago
- Global News
‘Dozens of staged accidents': Crime group linked to tow truck industry, extortions charged
Peel Regional Police say key members of a Brampton-based criminal organization allegedly responsible several extortion incidents and staged car accidents are facing charges. In a press conference on Monday, police revealed details of an investigation called Project Outsource which was launched in July 2024 after officers saw a sharp trend in violent extortion attempts and other criminal activity in the region. Police allege Project Outsource found that the criminal network, which is allegedly tied to the tow truck industry, was operating with 'two distinct but interconnected components: one dedicated to extortion and violence, and the other rooted in the towing industry.' The force said several suspects were found to be associated with towing companies operating under the names 'Certified Roadside' and 'Humble Roadside.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We have substantial evidence linking the group to dozens of staged accidents and potentially costing insurance companies between 80 and $100,000 for each staged accident,' said Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich with Peel Regional Police. Story continues below advertisement 'In total, those fraudulent claims exceed $1 million for this particular investigation,' Milinovich continued. 'To put that in perspective, fraudulent claims to the industry of insurance represent an equal amount to stolen cars, a cost which is then passed on to our community.' On June 10, police said a woman from King City along with 17 men from Brampton were arrested following several coordinated search warrants in Peel and York regions, as well as in Toronto, involving more than 200 officers. All 18 people face almost 100 charges including conspiracy, extortion, fraud, firearm-related offences, participating and instructing in a criminal organization and staging collision offences. Police noted that almost half of the accused were on some form of a judicial release at the time of their arrest. Several of them were known to police. Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the two people who are believed to be responsible for leading the criminal organization are part of the arrests. Over the course of Project Outsource, police said 18 tow trucks were seized with a total value of $2.8 million, five stolen vehicles were recovered worth more than $500,000, four personal high-end vehicles worth $840,000, six firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, as well as other various weapons such as crossbows, stun guns and baseball bats. Project Outsource was created as a focused sub-investigation under the Extortion Investigative Task Force — created in 2023 in response to recent, sharp rise in violent extortion attempts targeting South Asian business owners, including demands for large sums of money, threats for non-payment, and acts of violence, including drive-by shootings.
Hamilton Spectator
11-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Toronto eyes burning trash as landfill capacity nears limit
With its primary landfill nearing capacity, Toronto is asking residents to consider a range of future waste disposal options, including at least one controversial idea — burning thousands of tonnes of garbage every week. The idea is raising alarms among environmental advocates, who warn that burning trash releases harmful pollutants and poses health risks to nearby communities. To gather public feedback on various disposal solutions, the city is currently running a 10-minute online survey about how waste should be managed in years ahead. Options include expanding landfill capacity, exporting waste to other municipalities or incinerating it to generate electricity — a process known as 'energy-from-waste,' already used in Brampton and Durham Region , and under consideration in Ottawa. Charlotte Ueta, acting director of policy, planning and outreach for Toronto Solid Waste Management Services, says it's too early to commit to any specific plan, and no incineration facility or technology is currently under consideration. However, she acknowledges the situation is urgent, as Canada's largest city still sends an average of 450,000 tonnes of waste annually — more than three CN Towers' worth — to its primary disposal site, the Green Lane Landfill. Ueta says the focus of its ongoing consultation is on waste reduction, reuse and diversion. Toronto has no available land for a new landfill, and provincial policies limit the city's ability to expand or build one elsewhere, she added. However, the survey did ask residents about the option of building an incineration facility within the city. 'That's why we're asking the public about all potential options, including energy-from-waste,' she said. Joseph Lyng, general manager of Brampton-based Emerald Energy From Waste (EFW), says his company has submitted an unsolicited proposal to Toronto to process up to 500,000 tonnes of its garbage annually. The facility already burns about 150,000 tonnes of municipal and commercial waste, generating electricity and heat. Lyng says the plant is expanding to handle up to 900,000 tonnes and produce more than 100 megawatts of energy. Toronto's looming garbage crisis is part of a larger problem across Ontario, where landfill capacity is projected to run out by 2034 . Roughly one third of the province's waste is exported to the US, a strategy many say is unsustainable amid rising trade tensions. Recent changes to Blue Box recycling rules and the scrapping of a deposit-return system for non-alcoholic drink containers have further strained diversion efforts. Meanwhile, resistance to new landfills is growing. Under Bill 197, municipalities can block new sites within 3.5 kilometres of their boundaries, making it harder for Toronto to find alternatives. Lyng believes his company offers part of the solution. 'We don't produce the garbage — we manage it,' he said. Lyng argues that by processing waste close to where it's generated, facilities like Emerald's avoid shifting the environmental burden onto unwilling communities. Environmental groups have long opposed incineration, citing toxic emissions and long-term environmental and health risks. Emily Alfred of the Toronto Environmental Alliance said she's disappointed by the direction of the city's current consultation. While Toronto has long promoted a zero-waste goal and a circular economy , she says the framing of the survey places too much focus on whether to choose landfill or incineration — and not enough on how to meaningfully reduce waste in the first place. Alfred criticized the city's survey design, saying some questions appear biased or confusing, particularly those suggesting incineration could occur in the city. She argues that this frames burning waste as a neutral or even favourable option, without clearly outlining the environmental and health risks. 'Incinerators lock cities into decades of burning garbage — garbage that should have been reduced, reused or composted. They undermine the city's goal of zero waste.' Facilities like the Emerald plant in Brampton, she said, would need to burn hundreds of thousands of tonnes annually for decades, regardless of improvements in recycling or waste reduction. Instead of investing in incineration, Alfred believes Toronto should focus on improving organics and recycling programs, particularly in high-rise buildings where access to green bins is often limited. The Zero Waste International Alliance also opposes energy-from-waste , calling it incompatible with circular economy principles. Health experts have voiced similar concerns. The Peel region's medical officer of health warned that expanding the Brampton facility could push pollution beyond safe limits for local communities. The World Health Organization has linked uncontrolled incineration—facilities without proper emission controls—to cancer-causing dioxins and respiratory harm. Lyng says Emerald's operations meet strict environmental standards, with real-time emissions monitoring and annual third-party testing. Health impact studies commissioned by the company found no added risk to the surrounding area, he added. Calvin Lakhan, a professor and co-investigator of the Waste Wiki project at York University, says waste-to-energy incineration has historically been viewed negatively in Canada, largely due to its legacy as a dirty, inefficient and costly technology. In Ontario, it isn't even recognized as waste diversion. But modern systems used in Europe and Japan have changed that perception, and are widely used in dense urban centres. If Toronto moves forward with the idea, Lakhan believes it would likely involve best-in-class technology modelled on international examples. Still, he acknowledged concerns that incineration undermines zero-waste goals by destroying, rather than recovering, materials. While not ideal, he argued the city may need to consider all available tools, including advanced incineration, to address its landfill crisis. He urged the province to help municipalities pilot reuse and repair programs, such as textile repair fairs, which offer affordable, community-based ways to cut waste. Many cities, he said, lack the resources to launch such initiatives on their own. Lakhan called for more consistent provincial policy. Recent shifts — like weakening Blue Box targets and delaying organics bans — have left cities unsure of how to proceed. Clear goals and stable rules, he said, are key to long-term progress. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
