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Interview: Cubanbrown Drops Multilingual Toronto Desi Hiphop EP ‘Ready for Change’ Led by the Heartfelt Single “Deep Pyar”

August 1, 2025
William Brookson
Latest posts by William Brookson (see all)

Toronto-based singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer Cubanbrown unveils his new EP, Ready for Change, led by the smooth, groove-soaked single “Deep Pyar.” Seamlessly blending Toronto hiphop with Desi influences and multilingual lyricism, the project captures the heartbeat of the city’s South Asian diaspora. Built on English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Haryanvi, the songs explore connection, authenticity, self-love, and the power of deep-rooted cultural identity.

Throughout Ready for Change, Cubanbrown showcases the many sounds of Toronto’s Desi hiphop movement. Each track serves as a vibrant expression of identity and evolution. “Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world, and this is sonically reflected in this project,” he says. “It’s beats inspired by Toronto hiphop, meeting multilingual songwriting that represents South Asians here.”

Produced by Toronto’s Hunnabeats, the EP’s lead single, “Deep Pyar,” sets a lush, underwater vibe from the first beat, laying the groundwork for Cubanbrown’s romantic bars about the kind of love that runs deeper than oceans. “It’s about expressing the weight of true love,” he says. “Not lust, but the real deal – that ‘Deep Pyar.’”

From lines like “your love is so deep, deeper than a river or a sea” to playful metaphors like “next to you honey isn’t sweet, cuz you’re my favorite treat,” the track is a heartfelt, catchy tribute to love in its richest form. Brij Beniwal’s feature brings buttery Haryanvi melodies, while Cubanbrown weaves English and Urdu throughout, all culminating in a final chorus lifted by Jersey kicks for an unforgettable finish.

1. What did you enjoy most about the recording process of this new release?

All three songs on this EP are collaborations, sometimes collaborations can be a challenging time consuming process, and other times it can be super smooth and easy. For this project it was the latter. Working with artists Brij Beniwal, Zora Grewal and Roze were some of the most fun sessions I’ve had. We tapped into the vibe we were all experiencing at that moment. Which was fueled by that fact we are all Desi Hip Hop artists in Toronto, discovering and growing in the underground scene. All of those variables add flavor and sauce to what we are doing, it gives us direction. For example in the chorus of the song “Szns” a dynamic change in a romance is compared to the changing seasons, which of course in Toronto we experience; weather that has massive swings in a short period of time. So when I pulled up certain beats I had already selected, the other artist’s vibe matches it right away and we’re flowing. For the most part all three of the beats have an element of smooth and groovy, it’s not in your face and aggressive, but it’s reflective and expressive.

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.
Pursue your passions. Don’t create narratives and rules in your head, these are self limiting beliefs that can hold us back from our true potential. Take time to understand what you are passionate about then develop in that area by consistently experimenting and putting in effort towards your development. At the end of the day life isn’t supposed to be an easy walk in the park, it’s a grind so you better love what you are doing if that isn’t a problem for you, give yourself credit for developing that passion.
3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?
Nav, as a fellow Toronto native South Asian artist, I’m hugely inspired by his music and his impact on the hip hop industry, I also think it would be a really good fit to open for Nav like musically my songs being bilingual  and collaborating with so many talented underground Toronto Desi Hip hop artists, it would be an epic opening set that showcases how far brown boys have come in the rap game.
4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
I take bigger risks than most other artists, I have so many different vocal tones that I incorporate based on the song. Whereas most artists have a recognizable voice. It is risky to do this because you are risking your voice not being recognizable, however I feel like pushing the boundaries of experimentation in order to grow is more important. To me my obsession is trying to make the best possible song I can, I know I have this vision, potential and motivation. The pursuit of that chase will continue to elevate my game. Pride and ego need to get out of the way because we are willing to explore areas patiently to keep it authentic and original.
5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.

no tiene sentido by Beele is my favorite song at the moment. Listening to this song just gives me an incredible feeling, its so fresh, and smooth. The amazing thing is I don’t actually speak Spanish fluently so I have no idea what the lyrics mean but it doesn’t matter, because I love the vibe. In some ways that’s what I’m trying to pursue, that regardless of language, people can feel the vibe and enjoy my sound.

With tracks recorded alongside French producer Arthur “Kasurlaprod,” and lyrics sparked from nights writing in Barcelona or driving Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway with friends, Ready for Change is Cubanbrown’s statement piece: an announcement that Toronto Desi hiphop has entered a new era.

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