KK (singer)

For other musicians called KK, see KK (disambiguation).

KK
KK performing at the Jockey Club Auditorium in Hong Kong, 2012
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)
OccupationPlayback singer
Years active1994–2022
Spouse
Jyothy Krishna
​
(m. 1991)​
Children2
Musical career
Genres

Krishnakumar Kunnath (23 August 1968 – 31 May 2022), popularly known as KK, was an Indian playback singer. He recorded songs primarily in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Noted for his versatility in a variety of music genres,[1] KK is regarded as one of the greatest playback singers of India of all time.[2] He was a recipient of two Screen Awards, along with nominations for six Filmfare Awards.[3]

KK began his career by singing advertising jingles and made his film debut in 1996 with a song in Maachis. KK released his debut album, Pal in 1999. The songs "Pal" and "Yaaron" from the album became popular, and are used in school graduations. The album turned out to be his career breakthrough. The song "Tadap Tadap Ke" from the 1999 film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer nomination.

KK went onto establish himself as one of the leading singers of the 2000s with successful songs in various languages. His most popular songs include — "Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe" from Dil Chahta Hai (2001), "O Humdum Suniyo Re" from Saathiya (2002), "Dola Re Dola" from Devdas (2002), "Uyirin Uyirae" from Kaaka Kaaka (2003), "Apadi Podu" from Ghilli (2004), "Dus Bahane" from Dus (2005), "Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai" from Woh Lamhe... (2006), "Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai" from Gangster: A Love Story (2006), "Aankhon Mein Teri" from Om Shanti Om (2007), "Khuda Jane" from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), "Zara Sa" from Jannat (2008), "Sajde" from Khatta Meetha (2010), "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).[4]

KK was popularly known as "The Mesmerizer", for his romantic songs.[5] KK received the Screen Awards for Best Singer – Male (non-film music) for his song "Pal" and Best Playback Singer – Male for "Khuda Jaane", from the film Bachna Ae Haseeno.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Why KK was the forever voice for the youth". India Today. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022. By the late 2000s, KK was the de facto voice for tracks with a tinge of rock and blues, his favoured genres.
  2. ^ "KK: Remembering the voice that touched millions of Indian love stories". BBC News. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022. KK, whose real name was Krishnakumar Kunnath, was one of India's greatest playback singers.
  3. ^ "Fifteen songs by the sensation, KK that will always have a place in our hearts". Filmfare. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022. One of the biggest singers in Bollywood, KK with his soulful and magnetic voice, created iconic hits that dominated music charts.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "KK, Singer of Bollywood Hits, Dies at 53 After a Concert". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 September 2022. Nicknamed "the Mesmerizer", he recorded hundreds of songs for some of India's biggest movie stars.
  6. ^ "Dance Deewane Juniors: Usha Uthup tears up remembering KK, sings his iconic song Pyaar Ke Pal. Watch". Hindustan Times. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  7. ^ ANI. "Popular Bollywood singer KK dies at 53". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 11 July 2022.