When an artist dies, it leaves a millions of his, millions he has inspired with his art and personality, in a sense of never-ending loss. Sidhu Moosewala’s death has not only made the exponential growth of the Punjabi Music Industry uncertain, it has put a community of millions in despair forever.
Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead while driving a Mahindra Thar on 29 May, 2022 in Mansa, Punjab. His idols, Tupac Shakur and Nipsey Hussle were also shot dead in the same way, years before. What are some of the most influential artists of this generation that were shot dead?
Here Are The Artists Who Were Shot Dead & Murdered
1. Sidhu Moosewala
It feels totally unreal to have this name on a list of artists shot dead, rather than on a list of Punjabis creating history in the field of music. Sidhu Moosewala was driving a Mahindra Thar on 29 May, 2022 along with his two friends when he was chased down by armed men in cars and brutally murdered at the age of 29. He received 25 shots and was taken to a nearby hospital in Mansa but the doctors could do nothing to save his life.
2. Tupac Shakur
Considered to be one of the most influential artists of all times, Tupac Shakur was also murdered by gunwound at the age of 25. He was brutally shot four times while travelling in a BMW on 7 September, 1996. Later, he died from the gun wounds on 13 September, 1996. Tupac remains one of the greatest rappers of all time, who inspired millions of other artists, including Sidhu Moosewala.
3. Notorious B.I.G.
Considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all time, Christopher Wallace, known as the Notorious B.I.G. popularized what we today know as ‘gangsta rap’. Interestingly, Notorious B.I.G. was initially accused of Tupac Shakur’s murder. However, he denied any role in it and claimed that he was shooting for a song when Tupac was murdered. On 8 March, 1997, almost 6 months after the world lost Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G. was shot at a red light by an armed man. He received 4 shots, the final one being the most fatal. He was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he took his last breath. He was just 24 at the time of his death.
4. Nipsey Hussle
As the list keeps getting longer, we realize how many legends we have lost to this world’s cruelty. Nipsey was too considered to be one of the greatest of this generation. On 31 March, 2019, Nipsey Hussle was shot at least 10 times! 10 times! in the parking lot of his own clothing store in South Los Angeles. He was 33 years old at the time of his death. Police identified then-29-year-old Eric Ronald Holder Jr. as the suspect for Nipsey’s murder.
5. XXXTentacion
The youngest one on the list, XXXTentacion was brutally murdered on 18 June, 2018 at the age of 20. He was shot dead near a motorcycle dealership in Florida. The murderers fled the scene in an SUV, taking XXXTentacion’s bag containing $50,000. Four were later arrested and a trial date is yet to be set for the alleged murderers of the young artist. XXXTentacion had connected a cult-like fan following due to his depression and sadness related music.
Be it personal rivalry, not liking the songs of the artist, gangwars or anything, the parents lost their sons, the world lost great artists. It will forever remain a mystery how the world of music would have changed had these artists lived longer.
