National Times Bureau :- Punjabi singer and global music sensation AP Dhillon, known for chart-topping tracks such as Brown Munde, Dil Nu, With You and GOAT, has opened up about the toughest phase of his life, revealing that he once slept on the streets of Canada and worked long hours at a gas station to survive.
The singer shared these deeply personal experiences during his recent appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 4, where host Kapil Sharma engaged him in a candid conversation about his journey from hardship to international fame.
“I Had Nowhere to Stay”: AP Dhillon on His First Days in Canada
Recalling his early days after landing in Canada, Dhillon said the transition was anything but easy. He revealed that he arrived with limited financial support and no proper accommodation.
“I wasn’t born into a wealthy family. My father gave me only a small amount of money. I didn’t even have a credit card,” Dhillon said. He narrated how a hotel refused to give him a room because he couldn’t provide a credit card—something he had never used before. Exhausted from severe jet lag after a flight with multiple stopovers, he ended up sleeping outside the hotel.
A Stranger’s Kindness in a Difficult Time
The struggle continued into the second night, when fate intervened in the form of an Indian couple. Dhillon shared that an Indian woman noticed him sleeping on the street and asked why he was outside. After hearing his story, she approached her boyfriend and requested his credit card to help the young singer get a room.
“The guy came to me and said, ‘Brother, please don’t steal or break anything, otherwise they’ll charge me.’ I told him there was no chance of that,” Dhillon recalled with a smile, adding that the couple was from Calgary. Their act of kindness gave him his first sense of relief in a foreign land.
Working Long Hours to Make Ends Meet
As time passed, Dhillon’s situation gradually improved. While studying in college, he took up multiple jobs to support himself. He worked at gas stations, convenience stores, and later at Best Buy, often juggling 10–12 hour work shifts alongside his studies.
“I had to manage my rent, food, and everything on my own. I worked hard and slowly things started falling into place,” he said, noting that he eventually managed to get a credit card and some financial stability.
Building Music Dreams in a Garage
One of the most striking parts of Dhillon’s journey was how he created music under extremely modest conditions. He revealed that in his rented accommodation, there was a small garage space meant for parking a single car.
“I saved some money, went to Home Depot, and built a 10-by-6 room with plywood and a door,” he said. That small makeshift studio became the foundation of his musical career. Over time, he invested in equipment, learned the craft, and kept practicing relentlessly.
“I never gave up,” Dhillon emphasized, underscoring the persistence that eventually led him to global recognition.
From Struggle to Stardom
AP Dhillon’s story resonated strongly with audiences, offering a powerful reminder of resilience, humility, and hard work behind his success. From sleeping on Canada’s streets to becoming a global Punjabi music icon, his journey stands as an inspiration for countless aspiring artists worldwide.
