"Every song turned out beautifully."
Punjabi music continues to evolve, but artists like Pappi Singh Kenya remain anchored in its cultural roots.
He features on Kuljit Bhamra‘s latest album, DESI – The Soul of Punjab, and his work reflects a clear intent to keep that connection alive through sound, identity and lived influence.
The project draws on traditional sensibilities while still engaging with the global Punjabi diaspora that has shaped modern bhangra culture.
It also highlights how heritage, mentorship and international scenes continue to inform his creative outlook.
Across the album, there is a consistent focus on music that feels grounded, emotional and culturally aware, rather than driven by fleeting trends.
In an interview with DESIblitz, Pappi Singh Kenya reflects on working on the album, his African connection and what being “Desi” means to him.
Music Connected to Culture
For Pappi Singh Kenya, the strongest Punjabi music is rooted in culture and emotion.
That mindset shaped how he viewed the songs on DESI – The Soul of Punjab and explains why he struggled to single out one favourite recording experience.
He says: “All the songs are excellent.
“Wherever Kuljit Bhamra has given the music, it becomes something special. Every song turned out beautifully.
“It’s very difficult to choose just one because every song that feels connected to the soil, reflects culture and art, and makes the heart dance means something to me.”
Songs tied to culture, everyday experiences and emotion often have greater longevity than music driven purely by commercial appeal.
That same thinking influences how he views Punjabi music more broadly. Rather than naming one standout track as his favourite, he focused on the qualities that make a song meaningful to him.
Pappi says: “That’s a very difficult question to answer because choosing one song is extremely hard.
“For me, any song connected to the soil, with reflections of culture and artistry, and which makes the heart move, becomes special.”
The phrase “connected to the soil” has long been associated with Punjabi music that feels authentic and culturally grounded.
The Story behind ‘Kenya’
Pappi Singh Kenya’s name reflects both personal influence and the wider Punjabi diaspora music scene that shaped his early years in music.
He explains: “My teacher was Sohan Singh Josh, who used to add ‘Singh Josh’ to his name. To make my own name stand out differently, ‘Pappi Singh Kenya’ started being used alongside it.
“When I started singing, groups from England and Kenya were very famous, and people loved dancing to their songs. I was heavily inspired by that scene.”
He highlights the influence that Punjabi artists from the UK and East Africa had on the genre during the rise of modern bhangra.
The artists who encouraged him to sing also came from that influential era of Punjabi music.
“I was inspired by many artists, especially Gurdas Maan, Charanjit Channi, Heera Group and Premi [Johal].
“I learned a lot from all of them and they motivated me greatly.”
Those acts played a major role in shaping Punjabi music across the diaspora, particularly through strong live performances and songs centred on identity, storytelling and culture.
What being ‘Desi’ Means
For Pappi Singh Kenya, being “Desi” is directly linked to culture, identity and heritage.
He says: “Our culture has its own identity and ‘Desi’ is part of that identity.
“Like Desi ghee, Punjabi culture and Desi colours, the desi spirit is unforgettable and deeply influences me.
“To me, ‘Desi’ represents our civilisation and culture together. It tells people who we are.”
His comments reflect how the word “Desi” has evolved into a wider cultural identity for South Asians across the diaspora.
Within Punjabi communities, especially, the term is often tied to language, music, food and shared traditions.
Pappi Singh Kenya’s reflections underline a consistent theme running through his work: music is most powerful when it remains tied to culture and identity.
From his influences across India, the UK and Kenya to his understanding of what “Desi” represents, his perspective is shaped by both tradition and diaspora experience.
His work on Kuljit Bhamra’s DESI – The Soul of Punjab sits within that wider framework, presenting music as something rooted in heritage while still travelling across borders.
Watch the Full Interview
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