To me, music is like meditation: Jassie Gill on World Music Day

Whether as an actor or singer, Jassie Gill has carried music with him through all his pursuits. On World Music Day 2025, we catch up with the singer-actor as he reflects on the industry’s transformation, and what stokes his creative fire despite two decades as an artiste.

Excerpts.

For someone who has been in the music industry for long, do musicians also face a comparable idiom to writer’s block?

I started singing in school and kept going through college. I never thought I’d end up doing this professionally, but the journey just took its course. Yes, like in any long career there have been moments of burnout too. Even in music, when you’re constantly creating, you sometimes feel drained. But, if you focus on content and melody, you overcome that block.

How has the industry evolved as you went from Punjabi to Hindi music (he sang background scores in films like Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi, Panga, Kya Meri Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai).

I have seen industry through various phases, from the era of CDs, piracy issues, the rise of music labels controlling content, to now when power has shifted to independent musicians.

And artistes today are creating, marketing and selling their own music, even from their bedrooms.

So, are you saying it’s easier for artistes to enter the industry now?

Yes and no. It’s easier in terms of access as you can release music directly through streaming platforms and social media. But it’s also more competitive. Back in the day, we had fewer resources, but that struggle taught us resilience. Today's artists still face challenges, but they have better tools and more platforms to showcase their talent.

As an artiste, what is your relationship with music like?

Music is meditation for me. I have dedicated this year to music, and I am also experimenting with genres and styles out of my comfort zone. Last year was all about acting, but films tend to distract from my core passion of being a singer. So, I made a conscious decision to only work on songs this year.

Like Diljit Dosanjh, are you also working on any collaborations?

Yes, I am exploring collaborations with Canadian and international producers. The sound in Canada is very different, it is less Bollywood, more fusion.

It’s exciting to blend those styles.

Many Punjabi singers have gone global with their concerts. Do you plan to join that league?

When Diljit, Karan (Aujla) or AP (Dhillon) go live on stage, audiences connect with them because of their large number of songs. For two years I was busy doing films and music took a backseat. Now that I am back to music, hopefully I will be doing concerts too.

As a father who is a musician and an actor, which of these two would you encourage your kids to pursue?

I am a liberal father who won’t force the course for my kids. But, yes, I am initiating them into music. As they grow up, if they want to continue following it from their heart, that’s their wish. I have already tested their

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recently. And I can say that my daughter (she is six), has passed that test while my son is still very young.