Gminxr live at Zomaland Mumbai in February 2025. Photo: Fleck Media
Among the top draws at the recent Zomaland Mumbai edition in February, Punjabi-Canadian producer Gminxr turned solo performer at his headline set, marking a return to India for the first time since 2021, when he toured with his label/collective Run-Up Records co-founders AP Dhillon, Gurinder Gill and Shinda Kahlon.
Flying solo this time around, Gminxr tells Rolling Stone India that the set was “absolutely amazing.” It was not without a few anxious moments building up to it, though. He adds, “Being MIA for the last 2-3 years, I didn’t think people remembered my name as much as they did. The love and energy that I got from Mumbai was insane. I’m ready to give them new music and come back for a whole tour.”
A self-professed introvert, Gminxr fit into the behind-the-scenes (and DJ decks) producer role when he delivered hits with Dhillon and others in the last five years. He says, “Obviously, it is a little bit nerve-wracking, putting yourself out there and finding your footing… but I think practice makes perfect […] When I get the energy from my fans, that energy right there is enough for me to perform to my best abilities.”
Over the years after being in his bubble, Gminxr says he had a “creative vision” that only he felt he could execute. “So now I’m in the forefront to really execute my vision the way that I wanted it,” he adds. Last year marked his return with “Once I’m Gone” with fellow Punjabi-Canadians Zehr Vibe and culminated in his EP Breaking Through, also featuring Indian rapper Young Aytee along with Zehr Vibe’s Grewal and Pathaniaa.
Soon after his Zomaland Mumbai set, Gminxr dropped his latest song “Lifestyle,” with Zehr Vibe and Toronto-based Tegi Pannu. Over meticulously designed beats that bounce off piano, orchestral hits and mysterious vocal samples for Pannu and Zehr Vibe’s bars about fame and its complications. The song was released via 91 North Records, a joint venture between Warner Music Canada and Warner Music India.
Breaking Through, however, was released via Jatt Life Studios and took about seven months to make. Gminxr recalls calling up Pannu and the singer traveling across from Toronto to Vancouver to meet Zehr Vibe. “I got them in the room together and just naturally, the vibes were amazing. Within the first five minutes, we were creating our first song and in 10 hours, we finished our EP,” the producer says.
Gminxr has linked up with local artists while he was in Mumbai and promises “big collaborations with big artists coming out pretty soon.” He adds, “At my performance, I got to meet up with some talented people, lots of people have been hitting me up, so I’m tapped in and ready to go.” Like with several of his hits, ranging from “Arrogant” to “Brown Munde” to “Droptop,” collaboration is key for Gminxr. “I know that the best music is made with quality collaboration,” he says.
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