Tegi Pannu spent eight weeks at the top of the British Asian Music Chart, and when he reflects on the thousands of fans coming out to see him perform during his tour, he can’t help but think of a quote his father had framed back home in India: “Those who dream the most, do the most.”
In his first-ever interview with BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rashid, the Punjabi artist shared, “I used to dream that one day I would be on stage. I wanted people to know my music first and then the artist behind it.”
Tegi has been on a sold-out tour across the UK, with tracks like “Forever,” “Schedule,” and “Untouchable” regularly climbing the charts and racking up hundreds of millions of streams. He’s part of a new wave of artists pushing Punjabi music into the global spotlight, alongside names like Diljit Dosanjh, AP Dhillon, and Karan Aujla.
However, Tegi’s journey to this point hasn’t been straightforward. He and his family moved from India to Australia when he was a teenager, and his brother quickly reminded him that music wasn’t a priority. “You have to work and take care of your parents,” he recalled, noting that his main focus was on his visa conditions at the time.
At one point, he even doubted whether music would become a career for him, but he found solace in it as a hobby. “You can’t let go of some things. They are in your heart, and music was always in my heart. I believe that if you follow your passion with sincerity, God acknowledges it.”
Balancing a “very unstable” hobby while trying to help his family establish a new life in Australia was challenging for Tegi. “I focused on getting my residency first. I did everything my brother advised, but eventually, I wanted to carve out my own path.”
Before his career took off, Tegi describes his life as relatively “low-key” and admits he wasn’t very active on social media, considering himself “an introvert kind of person.” But now, he views himself as “a guy who’s truly passionate about music and eager to achieve more in life.”
The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic, which he refers to as “pre-lockdown Tegi and post-lockdown Tegi.” As restrictions eased, he began to notice the surging popularity of his songs, “Schedule” and “Untouchable.”
“It was thrilling to have people recognize and play my music. That was the dream I had as a kid,” he said, reflecting on how fans began calling his name in public. “I didn’t expect that. People now want to take photos with me, they want to connect, and it’s truly exciting.”
He added that his parents are proud and have become somewhat celebrities themselves. “Now everyone calls them more often, and there are guests at their house every few weeks. They’re realizing just how big this is.”
