Yo Yo Honey Singh is an Indian music producer, composer, rapper, singer, lyricist and film actor who is popular for his chartbuster bhangra hip-hop numbers like Angreji Beat (2011), Dope Shope (2011), and Lungi Dance (2013).
Wiki/Biography
Yo Yo Honey Singh was born as Hirdesh Singh on Tuesday, 15 March 1983 (age 40 years; as of 2023), and he hails from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. His zodiac sign is Pisces.
Childhood picture of Honey Singh with his father
Since childhood, he was inclined towards music. He developed an interest in music at the age of 13 when he played the tabla and sung devotional songs in gurudwaras. He did his schooling at Guru Nanak Public School, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi. His urge to pursue a career in music led him to attend the Trinity School in London, United Kingdom.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family & Ethnicity
Yo Yo Honey Singh was born in a Sikh family in Punjab.
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Sarabjit Singh. His mother, Bhupinder Kaur, is a spiritual healer. His younger sister’s name is Sneha Singh.
Yo Yo Honey Singh with his father
Yo Yo Honey Singh with his mother
Yo Yo Honey Singh with his sister, Sneha Singh
Wife & Children
Reportedly, Honey Singh got married to Shalini Talwar Singh on 23 January 2011. Despite the widespread rumours and leaked pictures of his marriage Honey Singh managed to keep his marriage under wraps for a long time. Although the couple tied the knot in 2011, Shalini made her first public appearance as Honey Singh’s wife in 2014 on the Indian singing competition reality series India’s Raw Star.
Yo Yo Honey Singh with his wife
In 2021, Shalini filed for a divorce and accused Honey Singh and his parents of domestic violence. In September 2022, Honey Singh paid alimony of Rs 1 crore to Shalini. The couple was granted divorce by a Delhi court on 7 November 2023.
Relationships/Affairs
In 2022, at an event, he shared that he was dating the Canadian actor and filmmaker Tina Thadani.
A collage of Tina Thadani and Yo Yo Honey Singh
Career
As a Singer
In India, mostly Bollywood singers rise to fame; therefore, Honey Singh’s massive popularity prior to his entrance into Bollywood was a rare circumstance. In the case of Honey Singh, he became famous first, and then Bollywood approached him. Until 2006, the Delhi-based singer gave small stage performances in modest societies of India’s capital, New Delhi.
Studio Albums and Singles
In 2005, he began his journey as a singer when his rap was featured in Indian singer Bill Singh’s album “Peshi.”
In 2009, he came into the limelight when his raps were featured in the music album “The Next Level” by the renowned Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh. For the album, Honey Singh and Diljit Dosanjh collaborated on the songs Panga, Los Angeles LA, and Ru Ba Ru.
Panga- The Next Level (2009)
In 2011, “Lak 28 Kudi Da,” another song that Honey Singh sang in collaboration with Diljit Dosanjh, topped the BBC Asian Download Charts. He gained immense popularity when he worked as a music producer for the studio album ‘Alfaaz – The Boy Next Door’ (2011). Honey Singh’s raps were featured in the album’s hit songs “Haye Mera Dil” and “Yaar Bathere.” In November 2011, he shot to success with his album ‘International Villager,’ which featured the crowd-puller songs Brown Rang, Angreji Beat (featuring Gippy Grewal), Goliyan (featuring Diljit Dosanjh), Dope Shope, and Gabru (featuring J-Star). The music video of the song “Brown Rang” was one the most-viewed YouTube videos in India in 2012. Later, in the same year, another song that gained massive popularity was “High Heels,” which he sang in collaboration with Jaz Dhami.
International Villager (2011)
Other popular singles under his belt include Blue Eyes (2013), Dheere Dheere (2015), and Makhna (2018). Apart from the Punjabi music industry, Honey Singh also ventured into regional recording studios with the Gujarati song Achko Machko (2013), and then the Tamil number Ethir Neechal (2013).
Bollywood
Honey Singh made his Bollywood debut with the titular song of the film Shakal Pe Mat Ja (2011). For the track ‘Mujhe Neat Pila De Sajna’ in the film Mastaan, Honey was paid Rs 70 lakh, the highest fee ever paid for a Bollywood song (as of 2012). The song “Angreji Beat,” from the Punjabi album ‘International Villager’ was featured in the film ‘Cocktail’ (2012). His chartbuster songs Party On My Mind (2013), Party All Night (2013), Chaar Botal Vodka (2014), and Sunny Sunny (2015) were repeatedly played at parties, weddings, clubs, and concerts throughout the country. “Lungi Dance,” an Indian song composed and sung by Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh for the 2013 film ‘Chennai Express,’ went on to win various accolades.
Lungi Dance (2013)
In 2016, his song “High Heels” was featured in the film “Ki & Ka.” After he was diagnosed with bipolar disease in 2016, he returned to the music business in 2018 with the peppy track “Dil Chori,” featured in the film ‘Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety.’
As an Actor
He made his acting debut with the 2012 Punjabi-language action romance film ‘Mirza – The Untold Story’ in which he played the role of Deesha. Based on a legendary love story, the film centres around modern-day Mirza and Sahiba, childhood lovers who reunite when they return to their hometown, where they once grew up together. In the film, Deesha is a crazy fellow gang member of Sahiba’s brother who wants to marry Sahiba.
In 2013, he starred in the Punjabi-language comedy film ‘Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22’ in which he played the role of Rolly. The film follows the life of two spoiled rich brothers Robby and Rolly. Worried about the future of his irresponsible sons, Robby and Rolly’s father sends them to Punjab so that they can understand the realities of life and the importance of their roots and heritage.
He ventured into Bollywood with the 2014 romantic thriller film ‘The Xposé’ in which he played the role of Kenny Damania (KD). The film follows two upcoming actresses, Zara and Chandni, who engage in a fight when Chandni’s film becomes a box office success and Zara’s film flops. As the story unfolds, Zara is murdered, and the blame falls upon Chandni. In the film, KD is a music director and one of the suspects who had an affair with Zara.
In 2016, Honey Singh played the titular role in the film ‘Zorawar.’ In the film, Zorawar Singh is an Indian Army officer with Rapid Task Force, who travels to Durban to find his biological father, a dreaded don.
Political Inclination
In 2014, Honey Singh was picked by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and Akali Dal (comprising of Former Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal) to sing the praises in favour of BJP leaders Parvesh Verma and Narendra Modi in West Delhi. He gathered massive hatred from Sikhs in New Delhi, who believed it was shameful for the Indian politician and member of the Shiromani Akali Dal Manjinder Singh Sirsa to stand next to Honey Singh to lure Sikh votes. Apparently, the Sikh community was of the opinion that Honey Singh was a disgrace to Sikhism as most of his songs are lustful and arrogant.
Controversies
- In the aftermath of the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case, the lyrics of his songs, which were believed to be disgraceful to women, outraged people stirring a controversy. In January 2013, a New Year’s Eve concert by him at Gurgaon’s Bristol Hotel was cancelled, following an online petition and a Twitter campaign against the rapper for his misogynistic lyrics. An FIR was lodged against Honey Singh in Lucknow’s Gomtinagar police station by IPS officer Amitabh Thakur lodged citing that his songs were extremely vulgar and indecent. The complaint read,
This cannot be accepted at all, particularly when the country is mourning the death of the Delhi gang-rape victim and is outraged over increasing crime against women.”
The FIR was registered under Sections 292, 293, and 294 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deal with the display and circulation of obscene material, indulging in obscene acts in a public place and singing, reciting or uttering obscene songs or words in a public place to the annoyance of others.
- In 2013, Honey Singh was accused of allegedly singing an inappropriate song titled “Main hun balatkari” (I am a rapist). The offensive and vulgar lyrics of the song caused a storm of controversy in the Indian media. Honey Singh dismissed the allegations claiming that somebody had framed him to deteriorate his reputation. In pursuance of a petition filed against him, he submitted a statement at the Punjab and Haryana high court stating that he strongly condemns the lyrics of the song. Furthermore, in an interview, he stated,
The person (fake Honey Singh or any other name), who has sung this very song and uploaded it on the internet portal should be prosecuted for the wrong done by him and in this regard, the responsibility of the internet portal should also be fixed, in case they have acted in contravention of the provisions of law.”
- His song “Party All Night” in the film Boss (2013) also became the centre of controversy. Producers of the film were forced to submit a petition in Delhi High Court, claiming that they had ‘muted’ the alleged vulgar word in Singh’s song . While talking to the media about the song, Akshay Kumar, the protagonist of the film, dismissively said,
“Wo koi vulgar word tha nai. Ab kisiko kuch aur sunai de to isme unke kaan ki galti hai na ki humari.” (The word was not vulgar at all. They must have heard it wrongly. The blame lies on those who heard it wrong, not us.)
Additionally, a Haryana-based NGO sent a legal notice to the rapper, citing the lyrics,
Jisne bhi party hai karni, aa jao mere ghar ke bhitar, daaru pi kar, khane ko hai murga teetar” (Those who want to party come to my house after drinking; there is chicken and partridge to eat)
The NGO claimed that the vulgar, clumsy, and irresponsible song openly promoted the consumption of liquor and insulted women and Haryana’s state, black francolin, which is a protected species.
- In 2013, the music composing duo Vishal–Shekhar was offended when they realised that Honey Singh was hired to perform in the promotional song “Lungi Dance” for the film Chennai Express (2013). The duo engaged in a rivalry with the lead actor, Shah Rukh Khan, and film’s director, Rohit Shetty, as Vishal–Shekhar were under the impression that they were the only musicians working on the film. Vishal Dadlani tweeted,
It’s hilarious and pathetic, how desperately this tacky rape-rapper is trying to ride on the fame of @iamsrk and #ChennaiExpress. Poor guy.
Vishal Dadlani’s tweet
Later, Rohit Shetty brought an end to rumours by stating that there were no clashes between the music directors and Shah Rukh. Additionally, he stated,
I really don’t know what’s his problem with Honey Singh and what he keeps tweeting about. We all had so much fun working together in ‘Chennai Express’.”
- On 3 August 2021, Honey Singh’s wife, Shalini Talwar, accused the singer-rapper and his family of domestic violence, alcoholism, drug abuse, and adultery. A plea was filed against him in Delhi’s Tis Hazari court under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, seeking protection and other reliefs . Honey posted a long statement on his social media account stating,
I am deeply pained and distressed by the false and malicious allegations levied against me and my family by my companion/wife of 20 years, Mrs. Shalini Talwar. The allegations are severely odious…”
He completely dismissed all the allegations and refused to comment any further on the issue because the matter was sub-judice before the Court of Law. He also claimed that he has faith in the judicial system of this country.
Awards
- Best International Act at Brit Asia TV Music Awards (2012)
- Earned the title of Best Music Director for album I.V. (International Villager) at PTC Punjabi Music Awards (2012)
- ‘International Villager’ won the title of Best International Album at UK Asian Music Awards (2012)
- Won the title of Most Entertaining Singer (Male) for the “Lungi Dance” of the film Chennai Express (2013) at BIG Star Entertainment Awards (2013)
- Won the title Best Indie Artist (male) 2013 for the song “Brown Rang at MTV VMAI Awards (2013)
- Won Zee Cine Award (2014) in the category of International Icon – Male
- Received IIFA Award (2019) for Best Music Director for the film Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety (2018)
Yo Yo Honey Singh with his IIFA Award
- In 2022, he shared an Instagram video of his first award.
Car Collection
- Rolls Royce Phantom Series 2
- Audi Q7
Honey Singh posing with his Audi Q7
Bike Collection
Harley-Davidson
Assets & Properties
He owns assets and properties worth Rs 200 crores.
Net Worth
As of 2022, his net worth is around Rs 180 crore.
Salary/Income
As of 2022, he charges Rs 70 lakh for a song in films, and he earns Rs 12 crore annually.
Facts/Trivia
- Yo Yo Honey Singh was a habitual drinker. In a tell-all interview, while talking about his bipolar disorder, he said,
‘I must confess that I was bipolar and an alcoholic, which aggravated the condition.’
- Honey Singh prefixed ‘Yo Yo’ to his name after being influenced by the African-American slang of his friends. ‘Yo Yo’ means “aapka apna,” which translates to your own. Apparently, this name gives him a unique identity ‘Aapka Apna Honey Singh.’
- In 2016, when Honey Singh was at the perfect pitch of his stardom, he suddenly disappeared from the music industry. Numerous tabloids made headlines spreading rumours of him being in rehab because of a drug overdose. After an exclusive break of 18 months from media, he revealed that he was suffering from bipolar disorder, a behavioural disorder in which a person experiences episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Breaking his silence in a tell-all interview with The Times Of India, he revealed that during the period of 18 months, he switched four doctors as the medication wasn’t working for him. While describing his past condition, he said,
I didn’t come out of my room, forget stepping out of the house. I had a beard and I didn’t get a haircut for months. For someone who has performed in front of a crowd of 20,000, I was scared of facing 4-5 people.”
- He has a birthmark on his left bicep.
Honey Singh’s birthmark
- On 25 February 2024, Honey Singh gifted actor Urvashi Rautela a 24-carat gold cake worth Rs. 3 crore on her 30th birthday.
Urvashi Rautela while cutting the 24-carat gold cake that Honey Singh gifted her on her 30th birthday
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education