Hirdesh Singh, better known by his stage name Yo Yo Honey Singh or Honey Singh, is an Indian rapper, music producer, singer and film actor. He started as a session and recording artist, and became a Bhangra music producer. He has also begun to produce music for Bollywood films, and has become one of the highest-paid music producers in Bollywood.
Singh was born on 15 March 1983 at Hoshiarpur, Pu...Hirdesh Singh, better known by his stage name Yo Yo Honey Singh or Honey Singh, is an Indian rapper, music producer, singer and film actor. He started as a session and recording artist, and became a Bhangra music producer. He has also begun to produce music for Bollywood films, and has become one of the highest-paid music producers in Bollywood.
Singh was born on 15 March 1983 at Hoshiarpur, Punjab to a Sikh family. His birth name is Hirdesh Singh. He studied music at the Trinity School in the United Kingdom. His family later moved to Delhi.
Singh is married to Shalini Talwar Singh, whom he introduced to audiences for the first time on the television show India's Raw Star.
In late 2014, Singh disappeared from the music scene, before making a comeback the following year, but mostly avoided the media. In March 2016, he attributed his 18 month long absence from the public to his bipolar disorder.
Singh and Diljit Dosanjh's song "Lak 28 Kudi Da" reached No. 1 in the BBC Asian Download Charts in May 2011. The song was released as a promotional track for Diljit Dosanjh's film Lion of Punjab.
Singh received the ETC award for the best sound in 2006 for his song "Glassi", the PTC award for the Best Folk Pop Award 2009 for "Rebirth", and the PTC award for Punjab's Best Music Director 2011.
It has been reported that he was paid the highest fee ever for a Bollywood song (as of 2012) of ₹7 million (US$100,000) for a song in the films Cocktail and Mastan.
Singh topped the chart of trending videos of 2012. He earned two places on YouTube's list of top 10 trending videos of 2012. His song "Brown Rang" made it to the top spot. "High Heels", in collaboration with Jaz Dhami, took the fourth spot.
Singh prefers to sing in Hindi and his native language Punjabi rather than English.
The Punjabi album International Villager was released on 11 November 2011. The track "Gabru" from the album, featuring singer J-Star, topped the Asian music charts, including the official BBC Asian charts.
He has performed at many college festivals, including Ansal Institute of Technology and Ramjas College, Delhi.
He learned DJing from DJ Vishal and stood second in the "War of DJs".
Singh made his acting debut with Baljit Singh Deo's Punjabi film Mirza - The Untold Story (2012), performing the role of Deesha, a mad gangster. Despite only being a cameo appearance, the role went on to win Singh the PTC Punjabi Film Award for Best Male Debut. The following year, Singh appeared in another Punjabi film, this time a comedy by Amit Prasher, Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22, as Rolly, a childish and spoilt brat, alongside Amrinder Gill. This was Singh's first main role in a film.
Singh then made his debut as an actor in Bollywood cinema with the 2014 musical-thriller film The Xpose, alongside Himesh Reshammiya. The film was released on 16 May 2014, to mixed reviews from critics, though it was a box office flop.
In 2016, Singh is expected to return to acting with the Punjabi action film Zorawar, directed by Vinnil Markan, which is marketed as one of the most expensive Punjabi films to date.
