Yo Yo Honey Singh
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
The man
Yo Yo Honey Singh: Lesser known facts
The Indian rapper, music producer, singer and film actor's original name is Hirdesh Singh and he was born in Hoshiarpur in 1984. While those wondering how he got his name, he was named Honey by his mother and it worked. The interesting part is how he attached Yo Yo to it. In his interview on Comedy Nights with Kapil, the singer and rapper shared that in England people addressed him as your which sounded like Yo because of the English accent so he made it Yo Yo honey Singh, meaning 'your own Honey Singh'. This avid cricket fan who loves driving, lives in DLF Gurgaon.
His love for music took him to Trinity School in the United Kingdom where he studied the art. Honey Singh never intended to be a singer and only wanted to make music but destiny had other plans in store for him. He learnt music from many other places too but people said his music wouldn't work in India. He then went to England since the Bhangra scene was big there and made some English type of music. But once again he was told it wouldn't work there so he came to India and met many signers who once again told him his music wouldn't work. But Honey was determined that he would make the best music that would certainly work in the country. (As per his interview on Comedy Nights with Kapil).
The rapper is apparently the highest paid singer in B-town and according to a report in Hindustan times is said to have charged Rs. 70 lakh for a song in a film titled Mastaan, beating singing sensations Sonu Nigam: Rs. 10 – Rs. 12lakh and Mika Singh-Mika Singh: Rs. 10 lakh. He was mired in controversy for the song 'Main Hoon Balatkari' (I am rapist). He was even booked by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for singing vulgar songs. Many cases were filed against him and he was drawing the ire of Women's Rights Activists for reportedly penning and singing the song, Main Hoon Balaatkari 'I am a rapist.' This came close to the Delhi gang rape case that shocked the entire nation on December 2012 and Honey Singh even cancelled his New Year's Eve concert. However, he claimed that the offensive song was not written by him.
What perhaps fans do not know is that the rapper, known for his audacious lyrics and peppy and catchy music, is married. He has admitted it in the media and according to his interview in The Times of India, he spoke about his wife not liking his music. "She doesn't like any of them. I guess she hates them but never says so.. (laughs). On a serious note, she mostly likes romantic songs, which I haven't sung any so far. However she really likes brown Rang and makes me sing it every day for her. Ab unke liye bhi kuch gana padega" said Honey. He has sang songs in many languages including Gujarati, Tamil and Punjabi and is open to singing in other regional languages.
He's the hottest thing in Indian music today and Bollywood cannot seem to get enough of him. Having collaborated with some of the biggest names in Bollywood, from SRK to Amitabh Bachchan, Yo Yo Honey Singh has a fan following amongst B-town celebs too. This record breaking artist has worked hard and success hasn't come to him easy. There was a time when no one wanted to produce his music. Shocking isn't it? Considering every song is a chartbuster!
He released his song brown rang online and it got 40 million views and his song Blue Eyes got close to 40 million likes online. Honey Singh shared an interesting anecdote on Kapil's show Comedy Nights With Kapil. The rapper was once on a tour in Jaipur, when the security outside his hotel room did not recognise him and asked him who he was because Jaipur was apparently shut because of him. It was when he asked the security to call their children did they recognise him. He further shared that his inspiration for the song Ek Bottle Vodka came from a junk collector who had collected empty vodka bottles while cycling and no one seemed to be bothered about what he was doing nor did anyone stop him.
Shahrukh's son Aryan is a Honey Singh fan and the rapper collaborated with him for the film Chennai Express. Honey describes SRK as a great person who is a genius. While talking to Kapil on his show CNWK, he shared how he went to Shahrukh's house and had made up his mind, that he would either give him a hit song for his movie or he wouldn't give a song at all. To get his part right and get the nuances of the accent, the rapper started watching Tamil films for the song Lungi Dance. The producer was expecting a Punjabi song but Honey believed in his song and it went on to become a super hit. Reportedly loved mimicking Amol Palekar during his school days. Honey is said to be a big Bally Saggoo and Punjabi MC fan. Allegedly Honey Singh is also said to be a fan of the Famous American Astrologer ‘Linda Goodman.
Yo Yo Honey Singh has carved a niche in the entertainment industry within no time. But looks like he will have tough competition in times to come. A video doing the rounds on the internet features a Delhi girl who seems to be irked with the rapper's catchy numbers that often describe women in a 'not-so-flattering' way. Rene Sharanya Verma of Delhi is seen mouthing her own version of rap that sends out a message that every female is flawless just the way she is. She even threatens Honey Singh in her own unique way.
According to a report on Hindustantimes.com, Shah Rukh Khan, who is making his TV comeback with India Poochega - Sabse Shaana Kaun, said that he hasn't had a fight with Yo Yo Honey Singh at all. SRK believes that Honey Singh is a sweetheart and a friend, and he hasn't met him for a long time as he has been unwell, the report stated. SRK who hopes for Honey's speedy recovery said to HT that he will surely call Honey Singh soon.
According to a Mumbai Mirror report, rapper Honey Singh who has been away from limelight since October 2015, has checked himself into a rehab centre in Chandigarh. The 31-year-old singer missed the entire season of his own reality show India's Raw Star and was then conspicuous by his absence at SRK's SLAM! The Tour where he was set to perform. Honey's frequent collaborator Yo, who is his lyricist, was quoted in Mirror saying that Honey has not made contact with the team of artistes he usually works with and has even changed his cell phone numbers. “He told his team that he is taking a break to go home and spend time with his family. But instead, he checked himself into a rehab centre in Chandigarh in October. I have never seen him use drugs while working. But the rest of the time he was always high," the report quoted Yo. When quizzed about Honey's alleged fight with Shah Rukh Khan, Yo said to Mirror, “Neither of them may own up to it but I don't think Honey Singh will ever work with SRK again."
According to a report in Mid-day, Yo Yo Honey Singh seems to be a chubbier version of his former self. The singer who was in hibernation for a while now, had a New Year's gift in store for his fans who had been worried about his whereabouts. Apparently, the rapper posted a picture of himself with a bunch of kids in the background on his social networking account. His message to his fans was, "Celebrated my 1st day of 2015 with these orphanage kids. God bless." [sic] Honey Singh definitely appears to have put on a little weight in the picture and look markedly different from the musician we are used to seeing.
Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh's wife Shalini recently came to the fore to defend her husband in the wake of several rumours around his professional life. In an interview to Hindustan Times, she said, “It’s sad that at a time when he is so unwell, people are spreading all kinds of rumours about him. People call him seeking clarifications but then go ahead and print false stories.” When asked about the fight with Shah Rukh Khan during SLAM! The Tour, she said to the daily, "Why would he slap him? These are all imaginary stories. Yeh toh sabko pata hai that Honey really respects Shah Rukh bhai, and bhai also treats Honey like a younger brother. In fact Shah Rukh bhai helped and supported us a lot. Doctors had advised Honey not to travel out of the country for the Slam tour but he had given his word to Shah Rukh Khan, so he went with him. However, on seeing his condition, bhai kept telling him to take it easy and not to perform if he wasn’t being able to. Bhai asked Honey to take care of his health. He was very understanding. On the tour, Honey was on heavy medication for his BP, and he slipped and fell during the rehearsals and injured his back and head. He was thus forced to come back home. So, Shah Rukh bhai hitting him is just a big rumour, we have no clue why and where it came from. He even got some calls asking him this and he made it clear that nothing like that happened. But even after the clarification those stories appeared, which is strange!"
For all the female fans across the world, here’s a bit of news that will disappoint you! For the first time ever Yo Yo Honey Singh introduced his wife Shalini on Star Plus’ India’s Raw Star.
The popular mentor was caught in a mix of emotions a day prior to the launch of his album, ‘Desi Kalakaar.’ Honey Singh refused to shoot for the show till his better half did not come on the set. A source says, “Honey was extremely anxious and nervous and did not want to go ahead with the shoot till his wife came on the set. Shalini who was dressed in black appeased Honey and took him backstage for some time. It was only then, after four good hours that the shoot was resumed. In fact once the shoot started, Yo Yo said that his wife has a very important place in his life and he listens to her no matter what happens. Honey Singh was even seen apologising to everyone for the delay," says a source.
His top 10 party numbers
Yo Yo Honey Singh’s top 10 party numbers
Aata Majhi Satakli- Honey Singh is fast carving his place among the most popular singers of Bollywood. The Punjabi rapper is back with a bang with his another filmy number ‘Aata Majhi Satakli’ in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Returns. Honey Singh has weaved the song over Ajay Devgn’s popular one-liner from Singham. Shaking a leg with Ajay Devgn and Marathi mulgi Kareena Kapoor in the music video, Honey Singh also roped in several kids portraying Singham in the song. It killed no time in climbing the popularity charts with about 88,000 views in less than 24 hours.
Yaar Naa Miley- Honey Singh coordinated for Kick’s title track ‘Devil - Yaar Naa Miley’ with California based Indian singer Jasmine Sandlas. The two hold a share in the success of Salman Khan’s big Eid blockbuster which entered the Rs 100 crore club on the fifth day of its release. Honey Singh is known for his rough voice and has created the devil song for the Khan. While Salman has himself sung three songs for the film including ‘Jumme Ki Raat’ and ‘Hangover’, who could be a better choice than Honey Singh to lend his voice and creativity for the title track!
Party With The Bhoothnath- Honey Singh has become the first choice for filmmakers to sing a special title number for their films. The Punjabi singer sang a rocking party number ‘Party With The Bhoothnath’ for Amitabh Bachchan’s ghost comedy Bhoothnath Returns. Not only this, Honey Singh is himself seen flying in a bat costume in a one of its kind spooky party number. Sharing screen space with none other than Senior Bachchan, Honey Singh seems to have rubbed his style on him as Big B is also seen making hip-hop moves in the music video.
Blue Eyes- Rapper Honey Singh’s first romantic number ‘Blue Eyes’ was an instant hit soon after its release. The singer not just surprised his fans with the soothing romantic song but also danced like a professional in a tuxedo in the music video. It’s immense popularity can be gauged from the fact that it crossed 10 million views within 20 days of its release, beating then chartbusters ‘Nagada Sang Dhol’, ‘Ram Chahe Leela’ and ‘Dhoom Machale Dhoom’ on You Tube. Honey Singh definitely became the blue-eyed boy of the musical world since then.
Char Botal Vodka- Honey Singh, who has sung several hit party numbers, shared screen space with Sunny Leone in the bar number ‘Char Botal Vodka’ in the film Ragini MMS 2. The song added to the horror film’s popularity on the music charts besides lending the Yo Yo punch to the film. With Sunny Leone’s steamy presence and Honey Singh’s drunken beats, the song was a hit as usual. It was pitted against the film’s other number ‘Baby Doll’ by Kanika Kapoor and Meet Bros Anjjan.
High Heels- Yo Yo Honey Singh shot to fame with one of his biggest singles ‘High Heels’ in collaboration with Jaz Dhami. The high on energy party number with captivating beats that can drag even the laziest lot to the dance floor, is still found on the playlist of music lovers. The song’s light and catchy lyrics made the song an instant hit among the youth. Since then, Honey Singh’s most popular songs have been learnt by-heart by his fans, courtesy the funky lyrics inspired from everyday life.
Breakup Party- Honey Singh taught the world how to throw a break-up bash. His ‘Breakup Party’ number packed with very catchy lyrics is one of his most popular numbers. The steamy video is one of his most outrageous songs as it had girls in bikinis whereas singer Leo even showed a middle finger. The lyrics like ‘Dhoyegi tu kachche aur gande bartan’ made it extremely rude. The song was lambasted by the critics but this could not stop it from ruling the chartbusters for weeks.
Main Sharabi- Deepika Padukone’s captivating moves in the hit party number from Cocktail ‘Main Sharabi’ added to Honey Singh’s hypnotizing beats. The song is still the most loved dance number and can compel anyone to shake a leg on the dance floor. Deepika danced like a party maniac with booze and friends and made it to the top in Bollywood with this blockbuster. After the Sharabi song, Honey went on to share space with Sunny Leone in ‘Char Botal Vodka’ and Kareena Kapoor in ‘Aata Majhi Satakli’.
Lungi Dance- ‘Lungi Dance’ was Honey Singh, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s tribute to the Thalaiva aka Rajinikanth. The song was memorized even by the kids and has been performed by SRK and Honey Singh on various occasions. It has become an inevitable part of every playlist at discs and DJ nights. Popular among all age groups, the number is one of the cleanest songs of his career. Needless to say, the Punjabi rapper gave one of the best tributes to the God of cinema – Rajinikanth with his lungi dance.
Party All Night-The king of all party numbers - Honey Singh gave another adrenaline rush with his ‘Party All Night’ number in Boss. Sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha in the song, Honey Singh danced his heart out with the actors. The party number challenges the social police to dare to stop the loud music. Honey Singh declared on behalf of the party lovers that ‘Party yuhi chalegi’ even if aunty calls the police. The Punjabi singer even made the conventional Sonakshi Sinha dance like a party addict to this high on energy party number.
