'Honouring legend or monetising memory': Who is Sidhu Moosewala upcoming ‘AI tour’ really for?

Three years after his tragic murder, Sidhu Moosewala is set to "return" to the stage through an AI-powered world tour titled ‘Signed to God’, launching in 2026.

Using holograms and immersive technology, the tour promises a lifelike concert experience for fans, but raises serious ethical questions.

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A post shared by Sidhu Moosewala (ਮੂਸੇ ਆਲਾ) (@sidhu_moosewala)

Moosewala was a fiercely independent artist, known for his raw political voice and cultural pride. Can an AI avatar truly capture his spirit, or does it reduce him to a stylised product? With no way for him to consent, is this a tribute or a manufactured afterlife?

#JusticeForSidhuMooseWala

It truly breaks my heart that I never got to attend a live concert of #SidhuMooseWala But now with the opportunity to experience Sidhu's hologram in 2026,We his fans,Will definitely be there. We will feel his presence, as if he is still with us today🥺 pic.twitter.com/9Zdk1rM4p3

— SIMRAN KAUR♡ (@Simrankaur0408) July 15, 2025

Boys really be grinding for their families…

Even after death, Sidhu Moosewala out here dropping world tour posters. pic.twitter.com/17CmwHKqxr

— Michael Scott (@Sidyously) July 15, 2025

As technology reanimates more deceased artists, we must ask: Are we honoring their legacy or monetising their memory? Just because we can bring someone back digitally doesn’t mean we should.

Depends on who gains to profit off it, because they will make a lot of money from it. If the money generated was to be put back into Panjab in a meaningful way that Sidhu would be happy with, I'm all for it

— puremurkage ⬡ (@puremurkage) July 14, 2025

Moosewala once said, "Legends never die." But even legends deserve rest, not a virtual encore they never approved.

In 2012, a hologram of Tupac Shakur made headlines with a surprise appearance at Coachella. Michael Jackson followed suit, becoming the digital centerpiece of The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil—a production that grossed over $370 million, ranking among the highest-grossing tours of all time. Jackson was also "resurrected" as a hologram for a performance at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.

Holographic magic!!!

Tupac Shakur's hologram setup brought back legendary rapper back to life on stage...#SidhuMooseWala follows the footsteps of his idol😔💔

Wish we got to see his live performance 😔#JusticeForSidhuMooseWala pic.twitter.com/tI9WrdfxpZ

— moosa jatt (@kaur672447642) July 15, 2025