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Popular Indian rapper and singer Sidhu Moose Wala was shot and killed on Sunday evening. The artist, 28, was taken to hospital in the Mansa region of the Punjab state where he was declared dead.
Punjab police official VK Bhawra has stated that the killing was the result of an inter-gang rivalry (via The Guardian). However, Moose Wala's family have demanded an apology from police for linking the death to gang rivalry without a proper investigation. It is believed that the Punjabi government had previously protected Moose Wala but removed his security cover the day before his killing, with opposition leaders criticizing the government and police.
Moose Wala only released his first song in 2017 but had firmly established himself as one of the biggest musicians in India, with growing fanbases around the world. He has collaborated with U.K. artists Stefflon Don, MIST, and Steel Banglez and shared his latest song, "The Last Ride," was released earlier this month. Drake was among those paying tribute to Moose Wala on Sunday, posting a message on Instagram in memory of the rapper.
In addition to making music, Moose Wala was a rising figure in Indian politics. In 2021 he joined India’s Congress party and ran in the state’s assembly elections, where he finished second. He was among a group of over 120 politicians whose security detail was removed over the weekend as the Punjab government cracked down on what it called "VIP culture."