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Future of Music 2025

Wazir Patar Moves With Precision and Purpose

Not here to trend—here to teach, build, and shift culture

Apr 23, 2025
Rolling Stone India - Google News

Photo courtesy of the artist

Wazir Patar didn’t start in a studio—he started behind a camera. Back in 2013, armed with a DSLR and a hunger to create, he began shooting music videos with his brother in Punjab. The goal wasn’t fame; it was to build something of their own. Over time, his name became synonymous with striking visuals—but Patar knew his story didn’t end there. Music had always been calling. So he taught himself everything—sound engineering, instruments like the keyboard and harmonium, and how to carve out a sonic identity that felt rooted and radical at once.

He’s not the loudest voice in the room, but he doesn’t need to be. Whether it’s behind a beat, a camera lens, or the wheel of his restored Mercedes W124, Patar moves with precision. There’s legacy in every snare, purpose in every frame. His music doesn’t just hit—it remembers. For him, this isn’t about chasing trends or cracking charts. It’s about building something that outlives the noise.

Definition of success: “I want to create a revolution, not just a record,” he says. That sense of purpose runs through everything this artist touches. His sound is a fusion of hip-hop grit and Punjabi soul, rooted in history and powered by flawless execution. Inspired by legends like Dr. Dre, Bohemia, and Sidhu Moose Wala, Patar approaches production like architecture—layer by layer, until it’s airtight. “Success, for me, isn’t about the charts or the streams. It’s about impact. If my music can spark a shift—in thought, in culture, in how people approach the game—that’s where success lives for me.”

Meaning behind lyrics: His music stands apart in an industry often flooded with repetitive hooks and surface-level appeal. Patar’s lyrics steer clear of glorifying substance abuse, misogyny, or materialism. Instead, he leans into stories of old-school romance, generational memory, and cultural pride. “It’s like a musical education for Gen Z,” he says. “We’ve got so much richness in our culture and history—it’s time we start building sound that reflects that.”

Tracks like “Notorious” are a clear example of that mission. “If someone’s hearing my music for the first time, I’d want them to start there,” he says. “It captures my sound, my story, and the kind of emotion I try to pour into everything I create.” It’s not just the lyrics—it’s the mood, the mix, the way the track breathes. Every element is deliberate.

Wazir Patar - Future of Music 2025
Photo courtesy of the artist

Why the low profile?: Despite the power of his work, Patar’s kept a relatively low profile. “I’ve always believed the work should speak louder than the face,” he says. But even he admits, “Time has its own plans, and so do I.” He hints at stepping further into the spotlight, but on his own terms. “You’ll see it when you’re meant to. Wait and watch.”

Upcoming projects: His upcoming project might be the clearest reflection of his ethos yet. What started as a passion project has become something bigger—a documentary-meets-EP centered around his beloved Mercedes W124, aka the WZR TANK. Wazir is the first Punjabi artist to fully restore this classic E300 Turbo Diesel model. “But this wasn’t just about restoring an old car,” he says. “It was about redefining a culture.”

Future of Punjabi hip-hop: To Patar, the car is a metaphor for craft, legacy, and pride in one’s roots. And that’s exactly how he sees the future of Punjabi hip-hop. “Imagine hip-hop that educates while it empowers. That fuses traditional instruments with modern storytelling. That’s the sound I believe can put us on the global map—not just as music, but as a movement.”

Thoughts on AI: Even when talking about something as forward-facing as AI in music, Patar keeps it grounded. “AI can be a powerful tool,” he says. “But there’s a fine line. Music isn’t just about perfection or speed—it’s about soul. When everything starts sounding too polished, too programmed, it loses that raw emotion.”

At the heart of it, Wazir is still that same kid from Punjab with a camera, chasing stories that matter. The medium may have shifted—from visuals to sound—but the mission remains the same: build with intention, honor the past, and push the culture forward. “We’re not just telling our story—we’re offering a perspective that’s been overlooked for too long,” he says. “Different languages, different backgrounds—but one rhythm that brings people together.”

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