Toronto’s vibrant South Asian music scene came together in a powerful display of community solidarity on October 5, 2025, as five popular Desi DJs volunteered their time and talent to raise funds for flood relief efforts in Punjab, India. The high-energy event, aptly named “Bassmati” — a nod to Punjab’s world-renowned basmati rice — was held at Soluna rooftop bar, drawing a diverse and passionate crowd.
Hosted by members of Toronto’s Punjabi Sikh community, the fundraiser aimed to support Khalsa Aid, a humanitarian NGO providing emergency assistance to the millions affected by this summer’s devastating floods in Punjab. According to a recent United Nations assessment, the floods displaced 2.8 million people and impacted more than 4.2 million across the region.
The lineup featured DJ Jus Reign, DJ Angelphroot, DJ Horsepowar, DJ Mrii, and DJ Brisky — some of the most recognizable names in Toronto’s Desi creative community. The artists blended R&B, hip-hop, Bollywood, bhangra, afrobeat, rap, and house music, energizing the rooftop dance floor. Among the attendees was former NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who praised the community-driven initiative.
“Anyway we can localize people to help and support those in need is something we have to get behind,” Singh said.
In addition to the music, artist Jyoti Malik offered free mehndi (henna) as her personal contribution to the cause. The Khalsa Aid team set up a donation table on-site, with a fundraising goal of $10,000. By the end of the night, the event had raised close to $11,000, surpassing expectations.
Khalsa Aid, which has around 400 active volunteers in Toronto, is currently focusing its relief efforts in Punjab on restoring farmlands, rebuilding housing, and reinforcing riverbanks to prevent future disasters. Mandeep Singh, regional director of Khalsa Aid, explained that the organization typically raises funds through temples and family-oriented venues. This event marked a unique effort to engage with younger members of the diaspora who connect with their heritage through music and cultural expression.
“A lot of these kids are immigrants or children of immigrants and they feel a connection to their homeland,” Mandeep said. “It’s their way through music, through dance, to raise awareness and say we recognize what’s happened and we want to help.”
For many attendees, the cause was deeply personal. DJ Angelphroot, who coordinated the event, said her Punjabi farming roots inspired her to use music as a tool to bring the community together. DJ Horsepowar, despite facing technical issues that prevented her set, said she was proud to be part of an event that celebrated Punjabi culture in a modern, empowering way.
“To be able to give back in this way feels like it speaks true to who I am as an artist,” she said. “It’s 2025 and I’m a brown girl doing crazy things that my cousins in India probably would never do.”
DJ Brisky, originally from New Delhi, blended Arabic and Punjabi beats with western hits, supported by live dhol drumming from Harnoor Randhawa.
“Music doesn’t have any language. It’s universal,” Brisky said.
Community members highlighted the significance of bringing multiple generations of Punjabis together in a non-traditional space, breaking stereotypes while uniting for a common humanitarian cause.
The success of “Bassmati” demonstrates how Toronto’s Punjabi diaspora continues to innovate culturally while remaining deeply connected to their roots, using art and music as powerful tools for impact.