Cheema Y, real name Nirvair Singh, is a rising Punjabi rapper from Batala, Punjab. Discover his age, net worth, hit songs, career journey, and more.
Cheema Y is one of the most exciting voices to emerge from the Punjabi music scene in recent years. Born Nirvair Singh in 2003 in Batala, Punjab, this young rapper and singer-songwriter has carved out a distinct identity by blending raw Punjabi folk with modern hip-hop production.
In just a few years, he went from an international student balancing odd jobs in Canada to a globally streamed artist with nearly six million monthly Spotify listeners. What makes Cheema Y’s story compelling is the authenticity behind the music. His lyrics draw from real life, personal struggle, and cultural identity — a combination that has earned him a fiercely loyal global fanbase. Tracks like “California Love,” “Trump,” “Snake,” and the 2025 album Young G.O.A.T. have cemented his place as one of Punjabi hip-hop’s most promising artists of this generation.
Quick Facts About Cheema Y
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Nirvair Singh |
| Stage Name | Cheema Y |
| Date of Birth | 2003 (exact date not confirmed) |
| Age | 22–23 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Batala, Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India |
| Based In | Canada (previously California, USA) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Singer, Rapper, Songwriter, Lyricist |
| Genres | Punjabi Hip-Hop, Rap, Folk Fusion |
| Net Worth | ~₹8 Crore / ~$2 million (as of 2026) |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (172 cm) |
| Relationship Status | Unmarried |
| Famous For | California Love, Trump, Snake, Young G.O.A.T. |
| Label | Brown Town Music |
Early Life: Roots in Batala, Punjab
Cheema Y was born and raised in Batala, a culturally rich city in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, India. He grew up in a traditional Jatt Sikh household where music and folk culture were part of everyday life. The sounds of Punjab — its poetry, its folk rhythms, its storytelling tradition — soaked into him from an early age, long before he ever stepped into a recording studio.
Batala shaped his worldview in ways that still echo through his lyrics. He has spoken about growing up surrounded by community life, where stories were shared openly and emotions ran deep. That grounded, unfiltered quality is precisely what listeners recognise in his music — a voice that sounds like it has something real to say.
Like many young people from Punjab, Cheema eventually sought opportunities abroad. He first briefly settled in California, USA, before relocating to Montreal, Canada, on an international student visa. Balancing studies with multiple part-time jobs, he found himself turning increasingly to music as both an outlet and a purpose.
From Student to Artist: The Canadian Chapter
Cheema Y’s journey into music began in earnest in Canada, where the immigrant experience added a new layer to his already deeply Punjabi artistic voice. Working odd jobs while studying, he channelled his restlessness, nostalgia, and ambition into writing and recording.
Music became, in his own words, both his solace and his passion. By 2020, he had connected with Brown Town Music and begun building his sound alongside producer Gur Sidhu — a partnership that would prove pivotal. Gur Sidhu’s signature production style, blending trap beats with traditional Punjabi instrumentation, gave Cheema Y the sonic backdrop that made his raw vocal delivery hit differently. The two developed a working relationship that would define some of his most celebrated releases.
Breakthrough and Career Highlights
Cheema Y officially launched his professional music career in 2020 with his debut single “Blackberry.” The track attracted moderate attention and introduced his style to early supporters, but it was just the beginning. Over the next two years, he steadily released music and built a loyal following across diaspora communities in Canada, the UK, and the USA.
The real turning point came in 2023 with “California Love” — a track that went viral almost instantly. Its infectious energy, sharp lyrics, and cross-cultural vibe resonated well beyond the Punjabi music bubble, reaching listeners across India and the global South Asian diaspora. The song trended on Spotify and YouTube simultaneously and marked Cheema Y’s arrival as a mainstream force.
His debut album ANYWAY (2023) followed, establishing him as more than a one-hit artist. The Dripster EP (2023) and Cloud 9 EP (2024) kept the momentum going — with Cloud 9 charting as a Top Album on Apple Music in Canada and peaking at #4 in India. The 2025 album Young G.O.A.T. was his biggest project yet, achieving global chart traction and cementing his reputation as one of Punjabi hip-hop’s leading voices. He followed it with The Simpsons (October 2025), a 10-track project produced by Gur Sidhu, and his most recent release Bermuda Triangle (2026).
Discography: Songs and Albums
Some of Cheema Y’s most notable works to date include:
| Project | Year | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Blackberry | 2020 | Single |
| California Love | 2023 | Single |
| ANYWAY | 2023 | Album |
| Dripster | 2023 | EP |
| Cloud 9 | 2024 | EP |
| Trump | 2024 | Single |
| Snake | 2024 | Single |
| Young G.O.A.T. | 2025 | Album |
| The Simpsons | 2025 | Album |
| Bermuda Triangle | 2026 | Album |
His sound is defined by a refusal to chase trends. While Punjabi pop increasingly leans toward commercial hooks, Cheema Y consistently prioritises lyrical substance — a quality that has earned him comparisons to socially conscious rap artists internationally.
Personal Life
Cheema Y keeps his personal life firmly out of the public eye. He has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship and is understood to be unmarried as of 2026. Details about his parents and siblings are similarly kept private — a conscious choice that reflects his preference to let the music do the talking. His fans, however, feel remarkably close to him.
Many refer to him affectionately as “Baba” — a nickname born from the belief that his lyrics often seem to predict or reflect real-life events before they happen. Whether that is coincidence, keen observation, or storytelling genius is something his listeners debate enthusiastically online.
Net Worth and Earnings
As of 2026, Cheema Y’s estimated net worth sits at approximately ₹8 crore (around $2 million USD). His income flows from multiple sources: streaming royalties from platforms like Spotify (where he commands nearly 5.9 million monthly listeners), live performances, YouTube revenue, brand endorsements, and social media partnerships.
His YouTube channel alone is estimated to be worth approximately $150,000 USD. Despite his growing wealth, Cheema Y maintains a notably low-key public image when it comes to displaying material success — a contrast to many of his peers that his fanbase genuinely appreciates. His focus remains squarely on output and artistry rather than lifestyle flexing.
The “Baba” Phenomenon and Cultural Impact
Few artists in the current Punjabi music landscape have inspired the kind of near-mythological following that Cheema Y has built. The “Baba” nickname points to something larger: his lyrics consistently touch on themes of fate, resilience, social justice, and identity in ways that feel prophetic to listeners navigating their own challenges.
His music has also played a notable role in the broader global surge of Punjabi hip-hop. Spotify’s 2025 Wrapped data showed Punjabi streams up 25% year-on-year, a shift that artists like Cheema Y have actively driven. By bringing authenticity and depth to a genre that is increasingly visible on international charts, he is helping redefine what Punjabi music can be.
Final Thoughts
Cheema Y’s story is a testament to what happens when talent meets tenacity in the right environment. From Batala’s streets to Canada’s studios, from a debut single that few people heard to albums that chart globally — his rise has been earned track by track, word by word. He is still only in his early twenties, and the arc of his career already rivals artists who have been in the industry for a decade.
With international collaborations rumoured for 2026 and a growing live performance circuit, the next chapter looks even more compelling than the last. For a generation of young South Asians navigating identity, distance, and ambition, Cheema Y’s music offers something rare: a voice that sounds exactly like where they come from and exactly where they want to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Cheema Y?
Cheema Y, real name Nirvair Singh, is a Punjabi rapper and singer born in 2003 in Batala, Punjab, India. Now based in Canada, he is known for blending Punjabi folk with modern hip-hop. His viral 2023 hit “California Love” launched him into mainstream recognition worldwide.
Q2: What is Cheema Y’s real name?
Cheema Y’s real name is Nirvair Singh. He adopted “Cheema Y” entirely as a stage identity. The name is now inseparable from his brand and artistic persona across all platforms.
Q3: What is Cheema Y’s net worth?
Cheema Y’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹8 crore (around $2 million USD) as of 2026. His earnings come from music streaming, YouTube, live shows, and brand deals. He has nearly 5.9 million monthly Spotify listeners.
Q4: What are Cheema Y’s most popular songs?
His most popular songs include “California Love,” “Trump,” “Snake,” “Gun Culture,” “Jugni,” “Takde Gharde,” and “Snap.” His albums ANYWAY, Young G.O.A.T., and The Simpsons are among his most-streamed projects globally.
Q5: Where is Cheema Y from?
Cheema Y was born in Batala, a city in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, India. He later moved to California, USA, and is currently based in Canada, where his music career took off under Brown Town Music.
Q6: Is Cheema Y married?
No, Cheema Y is unmarried as of 2026. He has not publicly confirmed any relationship and deliberately keeps his personal life away from media attention.
Q7: Why do fans call Cheema Y “Baba”?
Fans call Cheema Y “Baba” because many believe his lyrics reflect or foreshadow real-world events. The nickname carries a sense of reverence and mystique. It has become a beloved part of his identity within his fanbase.
