Sonu Nigam

Best known for his work as a playback singer for Indian films, Sonu Nigam is also a noted pop and classical vocalist and composer who performs in a variety of languages. ∙ He began his singing career at age four, when he performed “Kya Hua Tera Vaada”—from the 1977 blockbuster drama Hum Kisise Kum Naheen—as a duet with his father. ∙ Nigam won his first Filmfare Award—similar to a Billboard Music Award—as Best Male Playback Singer for the title track to the 2002 romantic drama Saathiya. ∙ Hoping to “bring divinity to every household,” he launched his devotional composing career in 2011 with Icchapurti Gayatri Mantras, which he recorded with child singers. ∙ The late electronic music star Avicii teamed up with Nigam on 2012’s “Indian Levels,” marking the first time that an international DJ had ever collaborated with a Bollywood playback singer. ∙ In 2016, he won two Indian GIMA Awards—for Best Pop Song (“Saiyyan Bina”) and Best Devotional Album (Krishna Sudha Ras - ISKCON 50th Anniversary Presentation).