KK (singer)

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KK
KK performing Live at The JockeyClub Auditorium, Hong Kong
Born
Krishnakumar Kunnath

(1968-08-23)23 August 1968
Delhi, India
Died31 May 2022(2022-05-31) (aged 53)
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Alma materKirori Mal College (University of Delhi)[1]
OccupationSinger
Years active1994–2022
Spouse(s)
Jyothy
(
m. 1991)
Children2
Musical career
Genres

Krishnakumar Kunnath (23 August 1968 – 31 May 2022), popularly known as KK, was an Indian playback singer. Regarded as one of the best and most versatile singers in the Indian music industry,[2][3][4] he recorded songs in several languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Bengali, Assamese and Gujarati.[5]

KK began his career by singing for advertisement jingles, and made his film debut with an A.R. Rahman soundtrack. In 1999, he launched his debut album titled Pal. The songs "Pal" and "Yaaron" from the album Pal became very popular and are commonly used in school farewells. His popular songs included "Tadap Tadap" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), the Tamil song "Apadi Podu", "Dola Re Dola" from Devdas (2002), "Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai" from Woh Lamhe... (2006), "Aankhon Mein Teri" from Om Shanti Om (2007), "Khuda Jane" from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), "Piya Aaye Na" from Aashiqui 2 (2013), "Mat Aazma Re" from Murder 3 (2013), "India Wale" from Happy New Year (2014) and "Tu Jo Mila" from Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), among others.[6] He has received six Filmfare Awards nominations, and a Filmfare Awards South.

Early life

Born in Delhi to Malayali parents C. S. Menon and Kunnath Kanakavalli,[7] Krishnakumar Kunnath was brought up in New Delhi.[8] KK sang 3,500 jingles before breaking into Bollywood.[9]

KK is an alumnus of Delhi's Mount St Mary's School[9] and graduated from Kirori Mal College,[10] Delhi University. He sang in the "Josh of India" song for the support of Indian Cricket Team during Cricket World Cup of 1999.[11] This song featured members of the Indian Cricket Team.

KK married Jyothy in 1991.[12] His son Nakul Krishna Kunnath sang a song "Masti" from his album Humsafar with him.[13] KK also has a daughter named Tamara Kunnath.[14]

Vocals and musical style

KK emphasized that it is not important for a singer's face to be prominently seen – saying he believes the important thing is that "a singer must be heard."[15]

KK had never undergone any formal training in music.[16]

Career

After graduating from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University in commerce, KK had a brief stint of six months as a marketing executive. After few years, in 1994, he moved to Mumbai.[12]

Playback singing

In 1994, he gave his demo tape to Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot and Lesle Lewis to get a break in the music arena. He was called by UTV and he sang a jingle for Santogen Suiting ad.[13] In a span of four years, he sang more than 3,500 jingles across 11 languages. He got his first break in Mumbai with UTV to sing jingles. He considers Lesle Lewis as his mentor for giving him his first jingle to sing in Mumbai.[12] KK was introduced as a playback singer with A. R. Rahman's hit song "Kalluri Saaley" and "Hello Dr." from Kadir's Kadhal Desam and then "Strawberry Kannae" from AVM Productions's musical film Minsara Kanavu (1997).[17] He had his Bollywood debut from the song "TTadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999).[17] However, prior to this song he had sung a small portion of the song "Chhod Aaye Hum" from Gulzar's Maachis (1996).[18] KK considered the song "Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se" a turning point of his career.[19]

Albums and television

KK at a concert in 2009

In 1999, Sony Music had just been launched in India and they were looking to launch a new artiste. KK was selected as the new artiste and he came out with his debut solo album titled Pal with Lesle Lewis composing the music. The album was arranged, composed and produced by Lesle Lewis of Colonial Cousins.[6] The songs "Aap Ki Dua", "Yaaron" and the title track "Pal" in no time ruled the lips of youngsters & also the music chart. The songs "Pal" and "Yaaron" became songs commonly used in school farewells.[20] Pal was the first album released by KK under Sony Music for which he got the Screen award as best singer.[21]

On 22 January 2008, KK released his second album Humsafar after a gap of eight years.[22] The songs "Aasman Ke", "Dekho Na", "Yeh Kahan Mil Gaye Hum" and "Rain Bhai Kaari (Maajhi)" are famous songs from this album. Besides, KK had also sung an English Rock Ballad "Cineraria".[19] The title track, "Humsafar" is a mix of English and Hindi lyrics. Eight songs of the album Humsafar were composed by KK.[19] The other two songs were taken from his previous album Pal.

KK has also sung many television serial songs like Just Mohabbat, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, Kuch Jhuki Si Palkein, Hip Hip Hurray, Kkavyanjali, Just Dance. He has also sung the theme song for Star Parivaar Awards 2010 with Shreya Ghoshal. KK appeared on television too. He was invited as jury member for a talent hunt show Fame Gurukul.[23]

KK also has sung a song named "Tanha Chala" for the Pakistani TV show The Ghost which was aired on Hum TV in 2008. The song was composed by Farrukh Abid and Shoiab Farrukh, and Momina Duraid penned the lyrics.[24]

KK participated in the latest musical venture of MTV India Coke Studio. There he sang one qawwali "Chadta Suraj" along with Sabri Brothers and a recomposed version of his exquisite track "Tu Aashiqui Hai" from the movie Jhankaar Beats.[25] He also came in the TV show Surili Baat in Aaj Tak Channel.[26] He has also performed in Sony Mix TV Show and MTV Unplugged Season 3, aired on MTV 11 January 2014. KK was in Dubai for his concert 'Salaam Dubai 2014' in April.[27] He also did concerts in Goa, Dubai & Chennai, and Hong Kong.[27][28]

On 29 August 2015, KK appeared in the television singing reality show Indian Idol Junior Season 2. After 10 years, he appeared in a singing reality show as a judge and guest jury member.[29]

On 13 September 2015, KK came in "Baaton Baaton Mein" on Sony Mix.[29]

Death

On 31 May 2022, KK performed at a college fest at Nazrul Mancha auditorium, in South Kolkata.[30] He complained of feeling unwell soon after his performance on the way back to his hotel, where he suffered cardiac arrest.[31][32] Efforts to revive him at the hotel were unsuccessful, and he was subsequently taken to hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. He was 53 years old at the time of his death.[33] On 1 June 2022, Kolkata Police registered a case of unnatural death to investigate the causes.[34]

Tributes

Newspaper Deccan Herald called him the "voice of love" while reporting his death.[35] According to The Times of India, he was the most versatile singer in the bollywood music industry.[36] Newspaper The Hindu noted, "Till the end, he remained a rage in the concert circuit and will be remembered as the singer who became the voice of the heart."[25]

Albums

Year Album(s) Music director
Solo
1999 Pal Lesle Lewis[20]
2008 Humsafar KK[19]
Compilations
2002 Humraaz Himesh Reshammiya[37]
2010 Kavalan KK[38]
2011 Soulful Voice KK Various[39]
2014 #Now Playing: KK Hits Various[40]
2013 KK: Best Of Me Various[41]
2015 Musical Bond: Pritam & KK Pritam Chakraborty[42]

Discography

Main article: List of songs recorded by KK

Awards and honors

Hindi cinema

Filmfare Awards
2000 Best Male Playback Singer "Tadap Tadap" (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam)[43] Nominated
2003 "Bardaasht Nahi Kar Sakta" (Humraaz)[44]
2006 "Dus Bahane" (Dus)[45]
2008 "Aankhon Mein Teri" (Om Shanti Om)[45]
2009 "Zara Sa" (Jannat)[45]
"Khuda Jane" (Bachna Ae Haseeno)[46]
Screen Awards
2007 Best Playback Singer – Male "Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai" (Gangster)[45] Nominated
2009 Best Playback Singer – Male "Khuda Jaane" (Bachna Ae Haseeno)[47] Won
Zee Cine Awards
2007 Best Playback Singer – Male "Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai" (Gangster)[45] Nominated
2011 Best Playback Singer – Male "Zindagi Do Pal KI" (Kites)[48] Nominated
IIFA Awards
2000 Best Playback Singer – Male "Tadap Tadap" (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam)[45] Nominated
2004 Best Playback Singer – Male "Tu Aashiqui Hai" (Jhankaar Beats)[45]
2006 Best Playback Singer – Male "Dus Bahane" (Dus)[45]
2007 Best Playback Singer – Male "Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai" (Gangster)[45]
2008 Best Playback Singer – Male "Aankhon Mein Teri" (Om Shanti Om)[45]
2009 Best Playback Singer – Male "Khuda Jaane" (Bachna Ae Haseeno)[45]
Guild Film Awards
2008 Best Playback Singer – Male "Aankhon Mein Teri" (Om Shanti Om)[45] Nominated
2009 Best Playback Singer – Male "Khuda Jane" (Bachna Ae Haseeno)[45]
2011 Best Playback Singer – Male "Sajde" (Khatta Meetha)[49]
GiMA Awards
2011 Best Playback Singer – Male "Zindgi Do Pal Ki" (Kites)[50] Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Singh, Ritika (23 August 2019). "Know How Singer KK, Kirorimal Graduate Make It To Bollywood: Birthday Treat". dailyaddaa.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "KK dies at 53: A look back at the musical journey of Bollywood's most versatile singer - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  3. ↑ "From Ajab Si to Pyaar Ke Pal, here are some of singer KK's best tracks-Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  4. ↑ ANI. "Popular Bollywood singer KK dies at 53". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "The right note". The Hindu. 9 December 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Staff, Billboard; Staff, Billboard (31 May 2022). "KK, Prominent Indian Singer, Dies at 53". Billboard. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  7. ↑ Lasrado, Richie (25 November 2006). "A Kandid Konversation with KK". Daijiworld.com.
  8. ↑ R, Balaji (6 June 2005). "The KK factor". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "KK sang 3,500 jingles before Bollywood break". Sify movies. 28 April 2009. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  10. ↑ "KK". saavn.com. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  11. ↑ "KK Profile". In.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Sensational Singer KK to Perform Live in City on Nov 23". Daijiworld.com. 22 November 2006.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Vijayakar, Rajiv (18 February 2008). "High Pitch". Screen.
  14. ↑ https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/kk-s-family-reaches-kolkata-autopsy-to-be-conducted-today-1956822-2022-06-01
  15. ↑ "KK Interview with Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. 15 April 2015. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "KK: Facts about the singer we bet you don't know". The Times of India. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "It takes three to tango". The Hindu. 13 March 2007. Archived from the original on 14 March 2007.
  18. ↑ "KK, the Soulful Voice Behind Heartbreaking Hits Like Chhod Aaye Hum and Tadap Tadap, No More". News18. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 "KK turns composer with Humsafar". Sify Movies. 27 January 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Dixit, Mini (23 August 2016). "Happy Birthday, KK: The man whose songs made farewells a little more teary". indiatoday.in. India Today. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  21. ↑ "8th Annual Star Screen Awards 1999". Screen India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  22. ↑ "Star-studded music launches are back". Screen India. 5 February 2008.
  23. ↑ "Composing music is an extension of my being:KK". Sify movies. 24 February 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  24. ↑ Listen to OST Tanha Chala Song by K.K. on Gaana.com, retrieved 1 June 2022
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Kumar, Anuj (1 June 2022). "Singer KK, a voice that regaled swooning hearts and jilted lovers alike". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  26. ↑ "KK Death: ...जब केके ने आजतक पर अपनी सुरीली आवाज से बांधा था 'सुरों का समां'". आज तक (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "KK, Monali Thakur and Arijit Singh rock Dubai". en-maktoob.entertainment.yahoo.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  28. ↑ "KK Live in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. Invalid Date. Retrieved 1 June 2022. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "KK plans first world tour as his career clocks 20". The Statesman. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  30. ↑ "Singer KK Filmed Rushing From Concert, Died On Way To Hospital". NDTV.com. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  31. ↑ "KK dies at 53: Singer shared pictures of final performance just hours before death; fans say, 'he looked so fit'". Hindustan Times. June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  32. ↑ Singh, Shiv Sahay (31 May 2022). "Singer KK dies in Kolkata". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  33. ↑ "Bollywood playback singer KK passes away while performing at a concert". DNA India. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  34. ↑ "Singer KK's Death Updates: Kolkata Police Registers Unnatural Death Case". NDTV.com. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  35. ↑ "RIP KK: The top songs by the 'Voice of Love'". Deccan Herald. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  36. ↑ "KK dies at 53: A look back at the musical journey of Bollywood's most versatile singer - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  37. ↑ "'Ghosts came everytime Jhalak Dikhlaja was played': Himesh Reshammiya picks his 9 favourite songs". The Indian Express. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  38. ↑ "KAVALAN MUSIC REVIEW". www.behindwoods.com. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  39. ↑ "Soulful Voice K K by KK". 3 March 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  40. ↑ "#Now Playing: KK Hits". Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  41. ↑ "KK: Best Of Me".
  42. ↑ "Musical Bond: Pritam & KK". 28 May 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  43. ↑ IndiaFM News Bureau. "The 45th Filmfare Awards 2000 Nominations". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 19 November 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  44. ↑ "Humraaz : Awards and Nominations". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 29 May 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  45. ↑ 45.00 45.01 45.02 45.03 45.04 45.05 45.06 45.07 45.08 45.09 45.10 45.11 45.12 https://web.archive.org/web/20090626041342/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/awards/6469/index.html
  46. ↑ Webmaster (16 February 2009). "Nominations for the 54th Filmfare Awards". Radio Sargam (RS). Archived from the original on 3 April 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  47. ↑ "Winners of the Star Screen Awards". PINKVILLA. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  48. ↑ https://www.ndtv.com/photos/entertainment/nominations-zee-cine-awards-2011-8957
  49. ↑ "Nominations for 6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  50. ↑ "Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam and Shaan at the Chevrolet GIMA Awards 2011 Conference". MissMalini | Latest Bollywood, Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle News. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.

External links


Template:Screen Award for Best Male Playback Singer

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