Maneesh Bidaye, known professionally as Maneesh, is gaining renewed attention as one of the South Asian Canadian producers helping shape the sound of modern global hip hop. The Toronto based producer, DJ, songwriter and multi instrumentalist has spent years working behind the scenes, but his now viral producer tag, Maneesh on the beat, shabang, has pushed his name into the centre of online music conversation.
Born and raised in Rexdale, Toronto, Maneesh represents a part of the city that has played an important role in shaping Canada’s hip hop identity. His rise reflects the story of a local creative who built his career from DJ culture, beat making and studio work before earning credits alongside some of the biggest artists in the world.
Maneesh has been connected to Drake’s creative circle for years. The FADER previously profiled him as an Indian Canadian producer who appeared across the credits of Drake’s Views album, including work connected to tracks such as Keep The Family Close, Summers Over Interlude and Views. His production relationship with the OVO world helped introduce him to a global audience, even if much of his work remained behind the curtain for casual listeners.
His name has now become even more visible through Drake’s Iceman era. The viral tag Maneesh on the beat, shabang has turned into a social media moment, spreading across reels, fan edits and music commentary pages. For many South Asian listeners, hearing an Indian Canadian producer’s name shouted out on a major Drake record feels like more than just a catchy line. It feels like representation at the highest level of popular music.
Maneesh’s production reach also extends beyond Drake. His wider catalog includes work associated with major artists such as Travis Scott, Giveon and others. He has been credited in connection with Travis Scott’s Maria I’m Drunk and Giveon’s Heartbreak Anniversary, showing his ability to move between hip hop, R&B and emotionally driven songwriting.
What makes Maneesh’s story stand out is the way he blends technical craft with cultural significance. He is not simply a producer chasing viral attention. He is part of a generation of South Asian creatives who are becoming more visible in spaces where they were once rarely recognized. His rise shows how Toronto’s multicultural music scene continues to influence the global mainstream.
The success of his producer tag also says something about the modern music industry. In today’s streaming and social media era, a few seconds of sound can turn into a signature. Producer tags have become cultural stamps, and Maneesh’s tag now carries both musical identity and community pride. It signals that a Rexdale raised Indian Canadian artist is present in the room when global hits are being made.
For young South Asian musicians, producers and DJs, Maneesh’s journey offers a powerful example. His path shows that influence does not always begin with being the face of the song. Sometimes it starts in the studio, behind the beat, building the sound that millions of people eventually hear.
As Drake’s latest music continues to generate discussion online, Maneesh’s name is being discovered by a wider audience. For Toronto, it is another reminder of the city’s deep pool of musical talent. For South Asian Canadians, it is a proud moment of visibility in global hip hop. And for Maneesh, it is the latest chapter in a career that proves the beat behind the record can become a story of its own.
