Talwiinder

Born in India but now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Talwiinder stands apart from his Punjabi contemporaries for his comforting croon—and the skull-design face paint that conceals his identity. He chooses not to reveal his full name in an effort to maintain work-life balance and be known primarily for his music: a hypnotic meld of electronic sounds, pop and R&B with relatable lyrics about love and longing that's turned him into one of Punjabi music’s fastest-rising stars. Talwiinder joined Apple Music's Up Next roster in 2024, the same year he put out his long-awaited debut album, MISFIT. It followed a run of hits such as first single “Unforgettable”, “Gallan 4” (subsequently reworked for the Hindi film Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya) and “Khayaal”, which was his first team-up with his most frequent collaborator, producer NDS. The artist's ability to infuse intense emotionality into his music prompted the likes of pop singer Hasan Raheem and rapper Yashraj to rope him in for guest spots on “Wishes” and “Dhundhara”, respectfully, which are among their biggest hits. They also feature among the songs Talwiinder performs at Halloween-themed live shows staged on nationwide tours—as well as supporting slots for G-Eazy and Dua Lipa during their visits to India in 2024. The backdrop might look like a nightmare, but Talwiinder sings like a dream.