Hirdesh Singh (born 15 March 1983), known by this professional name, Yo Yo Honey Singh or Honey Singh,[1] is an Indian music producer, Indi-pop singer and film actor. He started as a session and recording artist, and became a bhangra music producer. He has also begun to produce music for Bollywood films.[2]

Contents 1 Early life 2 Personal life 3 Promotion 4 Career 4.1 Bollywood 4.2 Acting 5 Criticism of lyrics 6 Personal life 7 Discography 7.1 Albums 7.2 Singles 7.3 Film soundtracks 8 Filmography 9 Awards 10 See also 11 References 12 External links Early life

Singh was born on 15 March 1983 at Hoshiarpur, Punjab to a Sikh family.[3][4][5][6][7] His birth name is Hirdesh Singh. He studied music at the Trinity School in the United Kingdom.[8][9] His family later moved to Delhi.[10]

Personal life

Singh is married to Shalini Talwar Singh, whom he introduced to audiences for the first time on the television show India's Raw Star.[11][12]

In late 2014, Singh disappeared from the music scene, before making a comeback the following year, but mostly avoided the media. In March 2016, he attributed his 18 month long absence from the public to his bipolar disorder.[13]

Promotion

Singh and Diljit Dosanjh's song "Lak 28 Kudi Da" reached No. 1 in the BBC Asian Download Charts in May 2011. The song was released as a promotional track for Diljit Dosanjh's film Lion of Punjab.[14]

Singh received the ETC award for the best sound in 2006 for his song "Glassi", the PTC award for the Best Folk Pop Award 2009 for "Rebirth", and the PTC award for Punjab's Best Music Director 2011.[15]

It has been reported that he was paid the highest fee ever for a Bollywood song (as of 2012) of ₹7 million (US$100,000) for a song in the films Cocktail and Mastan.[16]

Singh topped the chart of trending videos of 2012.[17] He earned two places on YouTube's list of top 10 trending videos of 2012.[18] His song "Brown Rang" made it to the top spot. "High Heels", in collaboration with Jaz Dhami, took the fourth spot.[19]

Career

Singh prefers to sing in Hindi and his native language Punjabi rather than English.[20]

The Punjabi album International Villager was released on 11 November 2011.[21] The track "Gabru" from the album, featuring singer J-Star, topped the Asian music charts, including the official BBC Asian charts.[22]

He has performed at many college festivals, including Ansal Institute of Technology and Ramjas College, Delhi.[23]

Bollywood

His debut song in Bollywood films was Shakal Pe Mat Ja, featuring Gagan Sidhu. Singh charged Rs. 7 million for a song in the film Mastan. This was the largest amount paid to a song artist in Bollywood to date, making Singh one of the highest-paid musical artists in Bollywood.[24][25]

The song "Angreji Beat" from Singh's album International Villager, featuring Gippy Grewal, was featured in Saif Ali Khan's film Cocktail.

Singh launched his single "Bring Me Back ft. Spoken Word" at the Video Music Awards India, which aired on MTV India. After the show, his song was premiered on the channel.

In late 2013, he produced songs in the films Chennai Express and Boss. He has also had songs in smaller-budget films such as Mere Dad Ki Maruti, Bajatey Raho and Fugly.

In February 2015 he released the songs "Birthday Bash", followed by songs in films including Gabbar is Back and Bhaag Johnny.[citation needed]

Acting

Singh made his acting debut with Baljit Singh Deo's Punjabi film Mirza - The Untold Story (2012), performing the role of Deesha, a mad gangster. Despite only being a cameo appearance, the role went on to win Singh the PTC Punjabi Film Award for Best Male Debut. The following year, Singh appeared in another Punjabi film, this time a comedy by Amit Prasher, Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22, as Rolly, a childish and spoilt brat, alongside Amrinder Gill. This was Singh's first main role in a film.

Singh then made his debut as an actor in Bollywood cinema with the 2014 musical-thriller film The Xpose, alongside Himesh Reshammiya. The film was released on 16 May 2014, to mixed reviews from critics, though it was a box office flop.

In 2016, Singh is expected to return to acting with the Punjabi action film Zorawar, directed by Vinnil Markan, which is marketed as one of the most expensive Punjabi films to date.

Criticism of lyrics

In the aftermath of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, the lyrics to some of his songs, which depict violence against women and rape positively, have caused controversy.[26] A first information report (FIR) was lodged against Singh for his offensive lyrics, and a group of social activists filed an online petition demanding cancellation of his New Year performance at a Gurgaon hotel.[27] After the campaign, Singh's New Year concert was cancelled by the hotel.[28] Singh denies writing these offensive lyrics.[29]

Singh's song "Party All Night" in Akshay Kumar's film Boss was at the centre of a controversy. Producers of the movie had to submit a petition in Delhi High Court claiming that they had 'muted' an alleged vulgar word in Singh's song. The court heard a petition filed by lawyer Sanjay Bhatnagar seeking a stay on the film, contending that without the censor board's approval, the song could not be released with such a vulgar word. The petitioner had sought a stay on the release of the film until either the word or the song was deleted from the film.[30]

His work has been perceived[by whom?] as being vulgar, misogynist, promoting violence against women and a bad influence on youth.[31][32] There have been reactions in print to Singh, such as from Annie Zaidi, who wrote "An Open Letter to Honey Singh" in January 2013,[33] and Sandipan Sharma, who wrote "Thanks for the crassness: An open letter to Honey Singh from a parent" in July 2014.[34]

On 2014, he and singer Raftaar were in dispute over whether Raftaar should receive credit for the lyrics of the song "Yeh Fugly Fugly Kya Hai".[35] The controversy went away without making a major effect. However, both rappers started targeting each other in their songs. Raftaar's "Swag Mera Desi" had a line which was already used in Singh's song "Party With The Bhoothnath". Singh also replied with the song "Stardom" from his album Desi Kalakaar.[citation needed]

Personal life

Singh was reportedly in rehab in Chandigarh, according to Jasbir Jassi.[36] However, Jassi later denied saying this.[37]

Discography Albums Year Album Artist Music director 2005 Peshi Bill Singh Honey Singh 2006 The Beat Ashok Masti Surma Bopaz 2008 Rebirth Raj Brar 2009 The Next Level Diljit Dosanjh Lock Up Preet Harpal The Beginning Resham Singh Anmol 2010 The Crown Raja Baath Dream Dolly Singh Khalaas – The Pure Inderjit Nikku The Folkstar Nishawn Bhullar The Rising Queen Rimz J Zanjeer -The Game Changer Karran Jesbir 2011 Hard Work Bai Amarjit Never Done Before Balli Riar Singing Between the Lines (song: "Jaan Mangdi") Jassi Sidhu Alfaaz – The Boy Next Door Alfaaz Jatt Soorme Garry Hothi Talwar (song: "Kawan diyan daaran") Gippy Grewal International Villager Various 2012 Born This Way Varinder Brar 2014 Desi Kalakaar[38] Honey Singh, Lil Golu