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Universal Music Canada signs Punjabi music producer Dilmanjot Singh
Mumbai: Punjabi music producer thiarajxtt, also known as Dilmanjot Singh Thiara, has released his debut EP If the Sun Had a Dark Side. Universal Music Canada (UMC) has announced his signing and the release of his first new music of 2024.
“thiarajxtt is driving the modern sound of culture today,” said Universal Music Canada chairman & CEO Jeffrey Remedios. “We’re honoured to work alongside Dilman as together we take South Asian music made in Canada to new global heights.”
The five-track EP is thiarajxtt’s first release as a primary artist since 2023’s Heartfelt EP. It follows his prolific work last year, including production across most of Diljit Dosanjh’s Ghost album (featuring the hit ‘Kinni Kinni’), Jassa Dhillon’s ‘SPAIN,’ and collaborations with Shubh, Channi Nattan, Jerry, and others.
“I want to break boundaries and bring new and legendary artists together on one project. This is the first step,” said thiarajxtt about this release.
“Partnering with Universal Music Canada is more than just a milestone—it’s about pushing the limits of what can be achieved when bold ideas and a clear vision come together. UMC has trusted my vision, and together, we’re ready to break barriers and create cultural bridges. This is just the first step in a journey that will redefine what’s possible in music. Everything today may fade by tomorrow, but good music—that’s timeless, and that’s what we’re here to create,” he added.
If the Sun Had a Dark Side features vocals from thiarajxtt’s twin brother Irman and Indrr Bajwa over hip-hop, R&B, and pop tracks produced by thiarajxtt. The EP’s opener, ‘Colt Buntlines,’ is a romantic-gangster track where Bajwa reassures his partner. ‘Route 66’ and ‘Kasoor’ continue similar themes, while ‘What They Doin’ asserts the dominance of thiarajxtt, Irman, and Bajwa in their field.
Born in Harkhowal, Punjab, thiarajxtt moved to Toronto in 2019 and gained recognition through collaborations with Shubh, including hits like ‘We Rollin’ and ‘No Love’. In 2023, he produced most of Diljit Dosanjh’s multi-platinum album Ghost. Now, thiarajxtt aims to empower producers in Punjabi music, similar to how Metro Boomin and DJ Khaled lead their projects.
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Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
