Standing in a seemingly ordinary office at Wolverhampton Science Park, Harpreet Jandu, better known as artist PBN, takes a moment to reflect. Almost two decades ago, he stood in this very space, handing in his notice to chase his musical dreams. Today, he stands here again, but this time, he’s setting up a music and arts company to help young people pursue their own ambitions in the creative industries. Life, as it turns out, has come full circle.
The making of PBN: early influences
Born and raised in Wolverhampton, Harpreet was introduced to music at an early age. His journey started at Pendeford High School, where music was more than just a subject; it was a passion. He recalls how youth clubs were abundant in the city at the time, and one, in particular, proved life-changing.
“There was a youth worker called Lester Samuels,” he remembers. “He introduced us to a council-funded recording studio based at Newhampton Arts Centre. That became my second home.”
It was here that Harpreet encountered Keith Dilworth, a sound engineer working with some of the best artists in the region, including Beverly Knight. By hanging around rehearsal rooms and studios, young Harpreet absorbed the nuances of music production. From pop to reggae, garage to bhangra, he explored every genre, laying the foundation for what would become a stellar career.
A balancing act: university, work, and music
Despite his love for music, Harpreet pursued a degree in business at the University of Wolverhampton. “It helped me in so many ways,” he admits, “but my real focus was always music.” While studying, he recorded demos and performed at student events. It wasn’t long before he was making a name for himself on the local music scene.
Performing at clubs and student unions across the UK, including Wolverhampton’s, his reputation grew steadily. “When I wasn’t playing, I’d be on the dance floor, vibing with my age group,” he laughs. It was an era of growth and discovery, and Wolverhampton provided the perfect setting. His first number one single came just as he was leaving university, marking the start of an incredible journey.
The big leap: from banking to bhangra stardom
Like many emerging artists, Harpreet kept a day job while building his music career. He worked in banking, gaining experience in project management, eventually landing a role at Wolverhampton Science Park with Black Country Challenge. But the call of music was too strong to ignore. In 2009, a phone call from an Australian promoter changed everything.
“They wanted to bring PBN to Australia. Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth – all expenses paid, and the offer was more than I’d ever earned,” he recalls. Faced with a life-altering decision, Harpreet chose to follow his passion. “I had to take the leap, literally to the other side of the world!” The tour was a success, solidifying his place on the international stage. From that moment, he never looked back.
No. 1 Hits
Official Asian Music Chart
Nain Preeto De (2004) PBN
Kaun Nee Jaandah (2010) PBN
Fitteh Moo (2011) PBN
Saa Charju (2012) PBN
Nachdi Vekna (2012) PBN & H Dhami
Go Crazy (2013) PBN
Zaalma (2013) PBN & Bambi
Phatte Chuk Di (2014) PBN & Raj Bains
Nath Dig Pey (2014) PBN, Bambi & Raj Bains
Accolades
Kaun Nee Jaandah - Best-selling British Asian Single, 2010, Official Charts Company / UK Asian Music Awards
CrowdPleaser - Best Album 2010, UK Asian Music Awards
Best Recording Artist - PTC Music Awards, India 2017
Best Male Act - Oracle Awards 2024
The rise of PBN: global recognition and industry influence
What followed was a whirlwind of achievements. Harpreet picked up national awards year after year, winning accolades from the Official Charts Company and BBC Asian Network. His music topped the Asian music charts, as well as making a mark in the mainstream charts, and he found himself touring across continents, in Canada, America, Singapore, Malaysia, Kenya, and Europe.
I realised Punjabi music had a huge global audience,” he explains. “Years ago, it was predominantly South-Asians listening to it, but now non-Asians are engaging with it too.
The rise of streaming platforms like Spotify has further propelled South Asian music onto the global stage. “Labels are noticing the numbers. They want in on the success, and that’s why you see so many crossover collaborations now.”
One of the defining moments of this cultural shift came in 2023 when Diljit Dosanjh performed at Coachella. “It was a milestone for our industry, and I’m proud to have been part of this movement,” Harpreet says. Meanwhile, in the UK, Harpreet headlined at the Godiva Festival, performing in front of an almost entirely non-Asian audience. “It was amazing and showed just how far our music has come.”
The power of music: touching people’s hearts
The power of his music still sometimes comes as a surprise. Speaking to his audience, two stories stand out: “There was a guy who came to one of my shows and said: ‘I got through prison by listening to your album’. I’d never imagined that in my wildest dreams – you just don’t know what kind of impact you can have.
“On another occasion I was backstage at a show in Nairobi, Kenya, and a lady was telling me she’d lost her husband in a car accident – but that one of her last memories was him introducing her to my music. It sounds like it would make her sad, but she’s supported me ever since.”
However, one of the most powerful moments for Harpreet was on a stage in the Punjab: “Going to where this music came from, back to my homeland in India, I was performing in front of the Punjabi music industry, with all the A-listers. Winning best recording artist, it made me feel blessed to be one of the first UK artists to get that recognition, where this music originally came from.”
Evolution: music, entrepreneurship, new ventures
Over the years, Harpreet has worn many hats – producer, composer, singer, performer, and entrepreneur. He launched his own label, Playback Records, signing and mentoring emerging artists like Bambi and Raj Bains. His initiative, Playback, provides new talent with a global platform.
“I don’t want to be pigeonholed,” he says. “I’m a creative, an artist, an entrepreneur. I want to nurture British-born talent and give them opportunities I never had.” His efforts are already bearing fruit. Thanks to his backing, artists, such as Rose Bahar, are performing internationally, often debuting in places like San Francisco before even making a mark in Wolverhampton.
In 2022, he was commissioned to produce the music for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, and his work is making waves in unexpected places. In 2023, a clip of Catherine Zeta-Jones dancing to his music went viral, proving the genre’s universal appeal.
Additionally, his music featured in the BBC drama Virdee, a major win for South Asian representation in mainstream media. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s now venturing into theatre. “I’ve been approached by Rifco Arts to write my first musical and compose for UK’s first ever South-Asian pantomime which will debut at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. It’s early days, but the process has been fascinating,” he says with excitement.
Bollywood has also come knocking. Harpreet recently revealed he’s been approached to provide several songs for an upcoming film. “It’s a huge opportunity,” he says. “Bollywood has always been a dream.” On the music front, PBN fans have more to look forward to, as Harpreet hopes to start work on his next studio album, with a planned release by the end of 2025. “Having successfully released my latest album Antidote at the end of last year, I would like to keep more active with my music releases.” he shares. “I’ve got so many more artists I want to collaborate with!”
Giving back: establishing a legacy in Wolverhampton
In recent years, Harpreet has become increasingly focused on giving back. He sits on the board of Punch Records, an award-winning creative agency dedicated to innovative artistic programming, life-changing talent development and authentic community participation. In 2024, the University of Wolverhampton awarded him an honorary doctorate for his contributions to music.
This recognition fuelled his latest project, Playback Creates, a not-for-profit company dedicated to developing, promoting and championing Punjabi art and heritage as well as young local talent in Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas. “I want to give something back to my community,” he says passionately. “Music and the arts are global now, but Wolverhampton is home. I want to fly the flag for the Black Country.” He hopes to provide workshops, festivals, and heritage programmes, offering local talent opportunities that were once scarce. “Not everyone can afford to go to music schools in London. If we bring industry experts here, we can make a real difference.”
Full circle: a meaningful return
And so, we come full circle. Standing in the very office where he once quit his job to chase his dreams, Harpreet now finds himself on the other side of the desk, ready to help others do the same.
“When I realised it was the same office, my brain just exploded!” he laughs. “But it feels right. This is where my journey really began, and now I can use what I’ve learned to help the next generation.”
With a career that has spanned continents and generations, he remains as driven as ever. His music has accumulated over 170 million views on YouTube, and over 20 million streams on Spotify. His songs are enjoyed on dancefloors globally and have become a staple part of wedding, club and festival playlists. But this time, his focus isn’t just on himself – it’s on ensuring that Wolverhampton’s next big star has every opportunity to shine.
Watch Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones dancing to PBN’s music during the filming of a documentary in India
Watch on YouTube
