The team of late Sidhu Moosewala has announced a world tour that will use artificial intelligence to recreate the Punjabi singer and rapper’s presence on stage. Named Signed to God, the tour is scheduled for 2026 and will showcase Moosewala’s hit songs through an AI-generated avatar and holographic technology.

 

 

The announcement was made via Moosewala’s official Instagram page, which is handled by his team. Performances are anticipated to occur in Indian Punjab as well as in Toronto, London, and Los Angeles. This technology will merge holograms, augmented reality, and other tools to create a stage experience that aims to make audiences feel as if they are witnessing Moosewala perform live.

 

 

This marks the first posthumous world tour announced for any South Asian musician. The idea of using technology to bring back late artists has already been explored globally. Tupac Shakur appeared as a hologram at Coachella in 2012, and Michael Jackson’s The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil generated over $370 million. Additionally, Jackson’s hologram performed at the Billboard Music Awards in 2014.

 

 

Moosewala’s upcoming tour has ignited discussion among his supporters. Many are thrilled at the prospect of “seeing” him perform, particularly those who missed his live shows during his lifetime. Conversely, some are sceptical about whether this is in line with what the artist would have preferred.

 

 

Moosewala was recognised for exercising strict control over his creative output. In 2020, he established his own record label, 5911, to independently release his music. His untimely death in May 2022 abruptly ended a career that was deeply intertwined with themes of identity, politics, and marginalisation.

 

 

The utilisation of artificial intelligence to recreate artists has sparked concerns about the extent to which their likeness can be managed posthumously. Fans and critics are questioning whether such tours are tributes or commercial projects designed to keep artists’ legacies active through technology.

Moosewala was shot dead in May 2022 in Mansa district, Punjab, a day after his state security cover was scaled back. The attack, which involved multiple gunmen, was linked to gang rivalries, according to police investigations. His death sparked protests and widespread mourning among fans in India and abroad.