Smurfs Movie Features Punjabi Music: Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, and More

Time of India

3 days ago

Indian music has long captivated the Western world, but it was still a delightful surprise when Ed Sheeran's Sapphire seamlessly wove in Punjabi flavours, blending cultures effortlessly.
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Similarly, the newly released Smurfs movie caught audiences off guard when the tiny blue characters grooved to desi rhythms in Higher Love.
Indian singer-songwriter duo Natania and Subhi, who feature in the track, witnessed the magical moment at the film's Los Angeles premiere. Speaking to us from the US, they shared, 'It was a wild experience to see the Punjabi part of the song being played in an American theatre, and that too in an animated film like Smurfs.'
The artistes collaborated with DJ Khaled and Cardi B for the track.
Subhi added, 'We didn't know the placement of the song in the film when we recorded it. It comes at a time when the whole mood is celebratory. People were vibing to the Punjabi section of the song, especially seeing Smurfs dancing to it. Never imagined we'd see Smurfs dancing to Punjabi beats and lyrics. The audience didn't understand the words —they even asked me for the meaning — but they were vibing to the music. That's why we say music is universal.
'
Among the star-studded premiere guests was Rihanna, who voices Smurfette in the film. 'Rihanna was vibing
to Punjabi music like everyone else. She just loved the music,' said Natania.