On Friday 24 July, British-Punjabi artist Raf-Saperra brought an unforgettable performance to Somerset House's courtyard. Blending Punjabi folk with contemporary hip-hop and a range of other influences, he celebrated Punjabi culture before a sold-out crowd. While also paying tribute to the artists and musical traditions that have shaped both his own sound and British South Asian music.

I've been following Raf-Saperra's journey closely over the last few years. In April 2023, I wrote an article for Chartmetric exploring his rise and describing British Asian music as "a space to watch." Standing in the courtyard of Somerset House three years later, watching thousands of people fill one of London's most iconic venues for his Summer Series headline show, I couldn't help but think back to that piece.

Words by Sania Haq


More Than a Concert: What Raf-Saperra's Somerset House Headline Show Means for British South Asian Music


A Full Circle Moment
A lot has changed since writing the Chartmetric piece. Awareness of South Asian music has grown, mainstream venues are increasingly programming South Asian artists, and industry conversations around representation and support have gathered real momentum.

Raf's own trajectory reflects that shift. His audience across streaming platforms and social media has more than doubled, his music has travelled across the UK, Europe and beyond, and what once felt like the story of an exciting emerging artist now feels like something much bigger. Somerset House described the evening as a defining moment not only for Raf's career, but for "an entire scene of artists redefining modern culture". Looking around the sold-out courtyard on a beautiful Friday evening in London, it would be hard for anyone to disagree.

Bringing South Asian Audiences Together
South Asia is incredibly diverse, with different languages, musical traditions, cultures and histories shaping how people connect with music. That richness is something to celebrate, but it also means that programming for South Asian audiences requires a genuine understanding of that diversity.

What has always fascinated me about Raf is his ability to connect across boundaries. Although his music is deeply rooted in Punjabi folk traditions and proudly reflective of his Pakistani heritage, his audience stretches across India and throughout the global South Asian diaspora.

Looking around Somerset House, that broad appeal was evident. People had travelled from across the UK, representing different South Asian backgrounds, faiths and generations. Families stood alongside groups of friends, while older fans shared the space with a younger generation discovering South Asian music in their own way.

Raf has created something that feels both deeply authentic and remarkably universal. By fusing Punjabi folk with hip-hop, garage and unmistakable South London influences, he has developed a sound that remains true to its roots while resonating far beyond them.


The Soundtrack of a Community
At the start of the evening, Raf told the audience that this night wasn't just about him. It was about celebrating everything that had brought British Asian music to this moment. That sentiment echoed throughout the performance. This wasn't simply a showcase of his own catalogue; it was a celebration of heritage, migration, innovation and community, all woven together through music.

Rather than moving from one hit to the next, Raf took the audience on a journey through the sounds that have shaped both his artistry and British Asian music more broadly. His own distinctive blend of Punjabi folk, hip-hop and South London influences sat comfortably alongside the traditions and artists that came before him.

The Qawwali section became the emotional centrepiece of the evening. Paying tribute to the timeless legacy of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, it reminded the audience that British Asian music does not exist in isolation. It is part of a much longer musical tradition that stretches across generations, borders and cultures.

Equally powerful was Raf's tribute to the pioneers of British Asian music who helped lay the foundations for today's artists. Rather than positioning himself as the culmination of that story, he placed himself within it. It felt generous, respectful and deeply authentic.

Perhaps what struck me most was watching thousands of people (across generations, backgrounds and faiths) respond so instinctively to these moments. Songs that originated decades ago were met with the same warmth and familiarity as Raf's own catalogue. It was a reminder that, for many British South Asians, music has long been more than entertainment. It has been a way of preserving culture, maintaining connections across borders and generations, and expressing identities shaped by both heritage and life in Britain. That sense of continuity made the evening feel like more than a concert. It felt like a celebration of a shared musical history.

What Comes Next…
As Raf reminded the audience: "This is modern Britain." Here was a British-born Pakistani artist blending Punjabi folk, hip-hop, grime and Qawwali, performing to a sold-out audience in one of London's most celebrated cultural spaces. It felt like a powerful celebration of British South Asian culture in all its richness.

When I wrote about Raf's rise three years ago, I never imagined I'd be watching him headline Somerset House. There is still much more to do to support British South Asian artists, but this felt like an important step. Raf has built his audience through years of persistence, authenticity and exceptional music, while Somerset House deserves credit for backing homegrown South Asian talent on one of its biggest stages. Hopefully, the success of this show gives the wider industry confidence to continue investing in British South Asian artists.

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