Born in Punjab, India and raised in South Sacramento, California, Rajan Sahota represents a new generation of global artists reshaping the sound of hip-hop. His music fuses the bounce of the West Coast with the percussive textures of Punjabi culture, a fearless reflection of identity, grit, and growth.
Surrounded by music since childhood, Rajan credits his father, who sang and played harmonium and keyboard, for sparking his creative fire. By age four, he was already drawn to sound. In his teens, he began hustling — playing Punjabi dhol at weddings, working side gigs, and teaching himself how to record music in his bedroom with a USB mic and YouTube tutorials.
But behind his ambition came struggle. Through his late teens and early twenties, Rajan faced depression, legal challenges, and family tension. “I made a lot of reckless choices,” he admits. A life-threatening fall and battle with substance abuse became his wake-up call, leading to a journey of self-love and gratitude that now fuels his artistry.
That duality defines his sound. Influenced by Lil Wayne, Kid Ink, and Tyga, Rajan’s catalog bridges cultures through bilingual records like “Jattiana” (2019 ft. Happy Singh), “Yaari” (2023 ft. Slim Swagga), and “Undefeated” (2024). He also holds production and arrangement credits on Mozzy’s “Round and Round” featuring Lil Blood, Rich Homie Quan, and Iamsu! from Mandatory Check (2016).
Now, after a year-long hiatus, Rajan is gearing up for two major releases: Overdue — an English EP featuring Sacramento’s Aaron Le and producer Mister Trackz, and Love Language — his Punjabi debut EP featuring Toronto’s AR Paisley, slated for early 2026.
“I want to be remembered as the kid who did it his way,” Rajan says. “The only time you lose is when you quit.” Follow Rajan’s journey to greatness via IG @sohotsahota and check out his latest below.