Beyond the Music: Mona and Channi Singh on Legacy

June 18, 2026
The Luxurist Team

This Father’s Day, Mona Singh and British Bhangra pioneer Channi Singh reflect on family, sacrifice, and the values behind a musical legacy that continues to inspire generations worldwide.

Channi, what has been your proudest moment as a father?
Seeing Mona grow into the woman she is today is what makes me most proud as a father. She’s strong, independent and has achieved so much in her own right. Hearing people speak so highly of her—not just for her talent, but for who she is—means the world to me. I’ll be honest, it makes me quite emotional. When someone says, “You’re Mona’s dad,” I wear that title with great pride.

Mona, what is your earliest memory of your father and his musical journey?
My earliest memories are of my dad and his band Alaap rehearsing at our house. Every week I’d sit amongst them and listen for hours—it was honestly the highlight of my week. Our home was always full of music and people. Singers, musicians and even film actors would visit, and at the time I just thought it was normal! Looking back, I realise how fortunate I was to grow up in that environment. It definitely played a big part in my love of music.

Growing up with such an influential figure in British Asian music, what lessons did you learn from your father beyond music itself?
To stay humble. My dad has always treated everyone with the same kindness and respect, regardless of who they are. One thing he’s often said is that everyone has their own strengths and that you can learn something from everyone you meet. That’s a lesson that’s stayed with me.

How important has family been in preserving your culture, traditions and values?
Very important. We’re a close family and always have been. I don’t remember ever being sat down and taught about culture or tradition—it was just part of everyday life. Through family, music and spending time together, those values naturally got passed on.

What qualities do you admire most in one another?
Mona: My dad has always had this amazing ability to make people smile. Wherever he goes, people naturally gravitate towards him. He has such a warm, positive energy and people genuinely love being around him. I’ve seen it my whole life, whether it’s family, friends or complete strangers.

Channi: Mona is beautiful inside and out. She’s kind, caring and has a good heart. She’s incredibly loyal to the people she loves and has always had a genuine concern for others. She’s never hesitated to help those in need, and that’s something I really value and respect about her.

Have there been moments where your personal and professional worlds have intersected in meaningful ways?
We’ve worked together on my music for years, and some of the songs we’ve written together have come from real experiences in my life. Because my dad knows me so well, he understands the emotions and stories behind the songs. We’d often start off having a normal father-daughter conversation and end up talking about lyrics or song ideas. That’s something quite special.

Music has always been part of our relationship. I started singing with Alaap when I was six years old, and I still remember looking over and seeing my dad watching from the side of the stage. To go on to create music together is something I’ll always treasure.

Channi, what advice would you give your younger self as a father?
I don’t think I’d do anything differently. I’ve loved every stage of being a father. The only thing I’d tell my younger self is just how quickly the years would fly by. It feels like yesterday Mona was a little girl, and now she’s all grown up.

Mona, what is one lesson from your father that you hope to carry forward for future generations?
To be authentic. I’ve watched my dad build a career doing what he loves without ever chasing trends or trying to be someone else. He always believed in creating music from the heart, and through that he helped generations stay connected to their culture and roots. That’s a lesson that has stayed with me.

What does legacy mean to each of you, both as a family and as individuals?
Channi: For me, legacy is about what you leave behind and what continues after you. If I’ve helped keep our music and culture alive and brought happiness to people through my music, that’s enough for me. As a family, I hope the values we’ve lived by continue to be passed on from one generation to the next.

Mona: To me, legacy is about what you carry forward. I’m proud of what my dad has achieved through his music and the contribution he’s made to our culture, but I’m equally proud of the values he’s passed on to me. As a family, it’s about making sure those things continue for future generations.

What does Father’s Day mean to your family, and how do you usually celebrate it?
Father’s Day is a lovely opportunity to celebrate, but we’re not the kind of family that only shows appreciation on one day of the year. We’re very close and spend a lot of time together anyway. We usually keep it simple—a walk, a meal or a picnic, and just enjoying each other’s company. For us, its simply being together.