In a small, sleepy village in Punjab’s Moga district, most mornings start with the hum of tractors. And, the chatter of neighbours. And, the aroma of fresh parathas wafting from home kitchens. Dreams often remain just that. But every so often, someone emerges who refuses, to stay in the shadows. One such voice is now echoing far beyond Duneke village, shaking up the Punjabi music scene. That voice is challenging long-held stereotypes about women in rap. And that voice belongs to 19-year-old Paramjeet Kaur, who simply goes by Param. Her debut single, ‘That Girl’, is taking the Internet by storm.
Released just last week on YouTube, ‘That Girl’ racked up over 30 lakh views within six days. The track opens with lines that immediately set the tone: “Ve mein addi na pataashe jaavan phor di… ankh takdi na kise nu eh ghoordi… Meri chuppi japdi doonge shor jahi.”
(Translation: I don’t just stand around breaking sugar candies. My eyes don’t just look, they stare. My silence feels like a deep noise).
Check ‘That Girl’ by Param here:
It is a declaration of independence, power, and raw confidence, coming from a young woman who grew up far from the glitzy studios of Mumbai. Unlike many mainstream tracks, ‘That Girl’ was created without big studio budgets or celebrity backing.
Instead, the magic was born in an Airbnb in Punjab, where British record producer Manni Sandhu happened to be visiting. The track was recorded in a space with no acoustic treatment, where the sounds of cars and life outside could be faintly heard in the background.
Yet, according to Sandhu, the vocals were crisp and full of energy.
After recording, Sandhu returned to his studio in the UK to polish the track. The music video was shot by Tru Makers capturing Param’s raw, unapologetic energy.
In the Punjabi rap scene, often dominated by men and characterized by hyper-masculine bravado, women are rarely the creators. They are frequently seen only as props. Param flips this narrative. She raps about independence, pride, and self-reliance, blending street vernacular with a melodic style. And, that feels fresh and authentic.
Her journey into music began in Class 10 at Duneke’s government high school, where she first discovered rap. The spark grew when she studied music at DM College in Moga.
Much of Param’s musical personality was shaped in Moga’s Dana Mandi. It is a traditional grain market with a large open space that allows for informal jam sessions. Here, Param would freestyle with other students. They created reels that eventually went on the lyricist’s Instagram page, ‘Malwa Hood’. The name references the region, Malwa, and the international term “cypher,” which describes a gathering of rappers sharing energy and exchanging freestyle verses.
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It was in these informal gatherings that Param’s unique style first gained attention. Her voice carried grit and determination, her notes were precise, and her bars packed punch.
On her own Instagram page, Param often posted videos of herself strumming a guitar or singing alone on her unplastered terrace, performing songs by Satinder Sartaj and Sidhu Moosewala.
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In ‘That Girl’, Param tells a story that resonates with young women everywhere: she doesn’t need anyone else to validate her, and she carries the strength of legends like Jeona Morh, a Robinhood-like figure from Punjabi folklore.
Off the stage, Param is a regular village girl. She has her roots in her family values. She speaks softly about her dreams, particularly of building a proper home for her parents. “I just want to support my family and want to build a really nice house for my parents. I want them to sit at home and just relax,” she told BBC Punjabi in a documentary on Moga’s rap scene.
In a country where young women often struggle to be heard in the arts, Param’s rise shows the power of grit and courage. The world is watching, and it is listening.