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Arjun Kanungo

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Arjun Kanungo
Kanungo performing at Delhi University.
Kanungo performing at Delhi University.
Background information
Born (1990-09-06) 6 September 1990 (age 34)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
OriginMumbai, India
Genres
  • Pop
  • rock
  • dance
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
  • composer
  • entrepreneur
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2013–present
LabelsSony Music India, VYRL Originals, Universal Music India, Desi Music Factory
SpouseCarla Dennis

Arjun Kanungo (born 6 September 1990) is an Indian singer and music composer, recording artist, music producer, and entrepreneur from Mumbai.[1][2][3][4]

Kanungo began his career at the age of 17, initially working on building recording studios[5][4] and developing his skills as a recording engineer and music producer. He later performed as a touring singer and guitarist for Asha Bhosle.[6][7] His breakthrough came in 2015 with the release of "Baaki Baatein Peene Baad," with rapper Badshah, which gained popularity and marked a turning point in his career.[8][9]

Following his breakout success, Kanungo released several successful tracks, including "Fursat,"[10] "Aaya Na Tu",[11] "La La La," with Neha Kakkar, "Sirrikadhey,"[12] with Anirudh Ravichander and "Ilzaam"[13] with rapper King. "Ek Dafaa (Chinamma)" peaked at number 33 on the UK Album Download Chart.[14] "La La La" with Neha Kakkar also peaked at 33 on the UK Album Download Chart.[15] "Ilzaam" peaked at 85 on Spotify's top 200 in India and 102 in Pakistan.[16]

Kanungo's music has accumulated 100s of millions of streams on digital platforms, and has had a notable impact on pop culture through his blend of urban production, contemporary melodies and emotive lyrics.[7]

In addition to his music career, Kanungo founded One Mind Music,[17] an independent music label in India. In 2024, he expanded the label to Japan with One Mind Music Japan, focusing on producing music for the Japanese and South-Asian markets. The label launched its operations with a collaboration between Kanungo and Japanese pop vocalist Ren, on the single "Tell Me",[18] a J-pop ballad sung in Japanese and English. Kanungo continues to create and perform music in multiple languages and is currently learning Japanese.[4][19]

Early life

[edit]

Kanungo was born and raised in Mumbai.[20] His mother, a pistol shooter by profession,[21] trained Kanungo in the sport where he won multiple medals at the national level. He also played Basketball for his college and his state team of Maharashtra.[22][23]

He went on to major in Journalism and Mass communication at R.D. National College, Mumbai.[24]

He is a trained Indian classical singer and plays the piano and guitar. [25][26]

He is a qualified trained method actor from Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City.[27]

Career

[edit]

At the age of 18, Kanungo opened a recording studio in Mumbai called Promethean Audio.[28][29]

Kanungo's first commercial success came with "Khoon Choos Le" in the 2013 film Go Goa Gone, starring Saif Ali Khan.[30][31]

His debut single 'Baaki Baatein Peene Baad' was released on 25 September 2015 by Sony Music India. The song was written by Mayur Puri and was composed, written, recorded and produced in Sweden. The song also features Badshah.[32]

Since then he has had Several hit songs - Fursat, Ek Dafaa (Chinnama), La La la with Neha Kakkar, Tang Mujhko, Zara Zara (which peaked at 98 on Spotify India's top 200 chart[33]), Sirrikadhey and Ilzaam, to name a few. Arjun has lent his voice to several Bollywood films. His Tamil Debut came with 'Sirrikadhey', composed by Anirudh Ravichander, from the film 'Remo'.[34]

In 2022, Kanungo released his first studio album titled 'Industry' on June 16, 2022.[35][36] The album currently has over 250 millions streams across platforms. The album also featured rapper King, American singer songwriter Vaultboy, Rashmeet Kaur and Yash Vaid. Kanungo promoted the album via an India tour labelled the 'We are Industry' tour which went to 11 cities in India.[37][38]

In 2023, Kanungo released a follow up album titled 'Industry 2'. The first single from the album released on 5 July 2023.[39][40] Kanungo attributed not doing a tour for the album to a hip fracture which he experienced on a trip the Maldives with his wife.[41]

He made his debut in Bollywood alongside Salman Khan in Radhe (2021 film) where he played the role of 'Mansoor', a drug dealer.[42] He also played an extended cameo role in Mahesh Bhatt's 'Jalebi' where he played himself.[43][44]

Acting Filmography

[edit]

Films

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 Jalebi (film) Himself Extended Cameo Appearance [43][44]
2018 Side-hero (OTT) Ranjit Lead [45][46]
2021 Radhe (film) Mansoor Film Acting debut [47]

Discography

[edit]

As a Playback Singer

[edit]
Year Song Also featuring Movie Music Writer Label
2013 Khoon Choos Le[30] Suraj Jagan, Priya Saraiya Go Goa Gone Sachin–Jigar[30] Priya Saraiya Sony Music
Learn To Adjust Asha Bhosle Mai[20] Nitin Shankar
2014 Tum Chal Diye[48] Pizza Saurabh Kalsi[48] Times Music
2015 Jahan Tum Ho[49] Shalmali Kholgade Prasad Ruparel Prasad Ruparel
2016 Sirikkadhey Srinidhi Venkatesh Remo Anirudh Ravichander Sony Music
2019 House Party Song Sukhwinder Singh, Parry G Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga Rochak Kohli Gurpreet Saini Zee Music
Nadaaniyaan Lisa Mishra The Sky Is Pink Pritam Pritam Zee Music
2022 Joshuga Hasharuga Joshuga Hasharuga (film) Praneeth Music Aditya Music

Singles and Albums - As lead artist

[edit]
Year Song Also featuring Movie Music Writer Label
2015 Saibo (Rendition) Jonita Gandhi Rendition Arjun Kanungo, Sachin-Jigar Sachin-Jigar Sony Music
Hasi (Rendition) Sanah Moidutty Rendition Ami Mishra Kunaal Vermaa Sony Music
Baaki Baatein Peene Baad[50] Badshah Single Arjun Kanungo, Ludwig Lindell, Ylva Dimberg Mayur Puri Sony Music
2016 Fursat[51] Sonal Chauhan Single Arjun Kanungo, Ludwig Lindell, Ylva Dimberg Mayur Puri Sony Music
Sanam Mere sanam Jammin Season 1 Mithoon Sayyed Quadri Independent
Yaara Sanam (band), Jonita Gandhi, Sanah Moidutty Jammin' Season 1 A.R. Rahman A.R. Rahman Independent
Saturday Saturday (Khul Jaaye Masti) Badshah, Pulkit Samrat, Aastha Gill Single Badshah Badshah Sony Music
2017 Ek Dafaa Single Arjun Kanungo, A.R. Rehman Mayur Puri, A.R.Rehman Sony Music
Gallan Tipsiyaan Single Arjun Kanungo, LH4L Vayu Sony Music
2018 La La La Neha Kakkar Single Arjun Kanungo, Bilal Saeed Bilal Saeed, Arjun Kanungo Desi Music Factory
La La La (Reprise) Reprise version Arjun Kanungo, Bilal Saeed Arjun Kanungo, Bilal Saeed Desi Music Factory
Aaya Na Tu Momina Mustahsen Single Arjun Kanungo, Momina Mustehsan Kunaal Vermaa VYRL/ Universal Music
Aaya Na Tu Reprise Reprise version Arjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa VYRL/ Universal Music
Sar Utha Ke Jiyo Jonita Gandhi Promotional Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo, Kunaal Vermaa Universal Music
2019 Tu Na Mera Single Arjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa VYRL/ Universal Music
Woh Baarishein Shriya Pilgaokar Single Arjun Kanungo Manoj Muntashir VYRL/ Universal Music
Hona Chaida Single Arjun Kanungo, Nisha Asnani & Leny Magoufakis Mayur Puri VYRL/ Universal Music
2020 Dil Kho Ke Jonita Gandhi Promotional Arjun Kanungo Abhishek Arora, Anvita Dutt, Arjun Kanungo, Razik Mujawar Universal Music
Woh Baarishein Reprise Reprise Version Arjun Kanungo Manoj Muntashir VYRL/ Universal Music
Tum Na Ho Prakriti Kakkar, Awez Darbar, Nagma Mirajkar Single Ajay Vyaas Kunaal Vermaa VYRL/ Universal Music
Fursat Hai Aaj Bhi Sonal Chauhan Single Arjun Kanungo Mayur Puri VYRL/ Universal Music
Yeh Chahatein Single Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo One Mind Music
Waada Hai Shehnaaz Gill Single with Shehnaaz Gill Arjun Kanungo & Shehnaaz Gill Manoj Muntashir VYRL/ Universal Music
Waada Hai Reprise Reprise Version Arjun Kanungo Manoj Muntashir VYRL/ Universal Music
Statue Fotty Seven Promotional Arjun Kanungo Fotty Seven Universal Music
2021 Mere Dil Vich Tanzeel Khan Single Arjun Kanungo Tanzeel Khan One Mind Music
Famous Single Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo One Mind Music
Famous ft. Fotty Seven Fotty Seven Single Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo, Fotty Seven One Mind Music
Famous ft. King King Single Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo, King One Mind Music
Dil Kisi Se Nikki Tamboli Single Arjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa Saregama
2022 Baha Le Ja Single Arjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa Saregama
Tera Tha Tera Hoon Iulia Vântur Single Arjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa Zee Music
Ilzaam King, Carla Dennis INDUSTRY (Album) Arjun Kanungo, King Arjun Kanungo, King One Mind Music
Bura Sapna Sana Sultan Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo
Barsaat Arjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa
Waapas Aa Jao Yash Vaid Arjun Kanungo, Yash Vaid Arjun Kanungo, Yash Vaid
Foto Rashmeet Kaur Arjun Kanungo IP Singh
Ishq Samundar King Arjun Kanungo, King Arjun Kanungo, King
Everything sucks (India Remix) Vaultboy Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo, Vaultboy, Dhruv Yogii
Zara Zara (MTV Unwind) MTV unwind (TV show) Harris Jayaraj, Arjun Kanungo Harris Jayaraj Saregama Music
Chura Liya (MTV Unwind) MTV unwind (TV show) Arjun Kanungo, RD Burman Saregama Music
Rangrez Aisha Sharma Single Anurag Saikia Shakeel Azmi Sony Music
Tang Mujhko Single Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo One Mind Music
Killer Haseena Tulsi Kumar Single Arjun Kanungo Vayu, Diksha C T-series
Gedi Channa Jandali Single Arjun Kanungo IP Singh Universal Music
2023 Teri Aadat Sandro Silva, DJ Shadow Single Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo, Dhruv Yogii Spinnin Records
India to Japan Cyber Rui, Shirley Setia INDUSTRY 2 (Album) Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo One Mind Music
Kismat
Kehne ko kya raha Nemo
Danger Ju!ie
Sach Bata Mujhe Shirley Setia
Kismat (extended)
Tu Hain Zaeden
Destiny
2024 Tell Me Ren Single Arjun Kanungo, Kanata Okajima, Ren Arjun Kanungo, Ren One Mind Music
Lobby Talk Ocean Sharma, Nesz Single Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo One Mind Music
Suno Na Chamath Sangeeth Single Chamath Sangeeth Murtuza Gadiwala One Mind Music
Mahi Ve Shivvyy Single Arjun Kanungo, Shivvyy Shivvyy One Mind Music
Sajna Single Arjun Kanungo Arjun Kanungo One Mind Music
Inni Soni Prince Sharma Single Arjun Kanungo, Prince Sharma Prince Sharma T-Series
Make up your mind Fotty Seven, Edwin Honoret, Nemo Single Arjun Kanungo, Fotty Seven, Edwin Honoret, Nemo Arjun Kanungo, Fotty Seven, Edwin Honoret One Mind Music

Awards and honors

[edit]
Award Year Song/Film Category Result Ref
Global Indian Music Academy Awards 2015 Baaki Baatein Peene Baad Jagjit Singh Award for Best Music Debut - Non Film Won [52]
IWMBuzz Awards 2019 Most popular music single artist Won [53][54]
12th Mirchi Music Awards 2020 Woh Baarishein Independent Song of the Year Nominated

Personal life

[edit]

As a nature enthusiast, Kanungo promotes green energy and other alternative energy sources. He has also planted over 800 trees.[55]

He is also a three-time national gold medalist in center fire pistol shooting and a national-level basketball player.[56]

Kanungo's father, Rajendra Mehta, passed away from liver cancer in April, 2022.[57][58]

In February 2023, Kanungo suffered a hip fracture after an accident, while on vacation with his wife in the Maldives which forced him to take a break from public life for over a year.[41][59]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "I had no music scene till I was 18: Arjun Kanungo". The Statesman. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Arjun Kanungo | Bollywood Music Project". The Bollywood Project. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  3. ^ "I am a singer today only because of Asha Bhosle ji: Arjun Kanungo". Hindustan Times. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Tagat, Anurag (9 May 2024). "Cover Story: Arjun Kanungo Has a Grand Plan". Rolling Stones India.
  5. ^ Joseph, Krupa. "11 Jam Rooms In Mumbai Providing Space For Musicians To Practice". Homegrown.co.in.
  6. ^ Suri, Rishabh (26 July 2017). "I am a singer today only because of Asha Bhosle ji: Arjun Kanungo". Hindustan Times.
  7. ^ a b "Singer Arjun Kanungo Is Excited To Collaborate With Mentor Asha Bhosle!". Koi Moi.
  8. ^ Ferreira, Venus (5 November 2022). "'Baaki Baatein Peene Baad is the one song that changed me,' says Arjun Kanungo".
  9. ^ "Badshah, Arjun Kanungo join hands for new party song". Hindustan Times. 26 September 2015.
  10. ^ "Watch: Arjun Kanungo's new love song 'Fursat' will leave you mesmerised". 4 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Arjun Kanungo's 2018 song Aaya Na Tu clocks 100 million on YouTube: 'Glad people are still enjoying it'". 29 July 2021.
  12. ^ "I don't understand Tamil, Anirudh was patient enough with me: Arjun Kanungo". 26 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Watch New Hindi Trending Song Music Video - 'Ilzaam' Sung By Arjun Kanungo, King". The Times of India.
  14. ^ "Ek Dafaa (Chinamma)". officialcharts.com.
  15. ^ "La La La - Officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com.
  16. ^ "Ilzaam - Spotify Chart History". kworb.net.
  17. ^ Shah, Masumi (17 July 2024). "The want to stay original is missing in the current music scene: Arjun Kanungo". The Times of India.
  18. ^ "アルジュン・カヌンゴｘれん、ポップ・バラード「Tell Me」でインド＆日本のコラボが実現". Billboard Japan. 4 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Ferreira, Venus (5 August 2024). "Arjun Kanungo On Music Ventures And International Collaborations At All About Music Conference". Free press journal.
  20. ^ a b "Arjun Kanungo: 'Umeedien' is about hope and ambition - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Arjun Kanungo's Mother, Sheila Kanungo Is A Pistol Shooter And Is Representing India For Past 30 Yrs". 3 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Arjun Kanungo believes shooting as a sport helps him stay focused and honest in life!". Radio and Music. 22 January 2019.
  23. ^ Kurian, Anila (17 January 2017). "Music has always been my passion". Deccan Herald.
  24. ^ "Deja vu college moment for Arjun Kanungo". Bollywood Curry. 14 February 2016.
  25. ^ "Arjun Kanungo makes his home environment-friendly". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  26. ^ "Arjun Kanungo". IMDb.
  27. ^ "Arjun Kanungo to release 26 videos through one-year deal with Sony Music India". Radioandmusic.com. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  28. ^ Joseph, Krupa. "11 Jam Rooms In Mumbai Providing Space For Musicians To Practice". Homegrown.co.in.
  29. ^ Tagat, Anurag (24 July 2024). "Los Angeles-based Indian composer worked his way from the rock scene to assisting pop artist Arjun Kanungo at the latter's Promethean Studio in Mumbai". Rolling Stones.
  30. ^ a b c "Hindi Film Song - Khoon Choos Le (Go Goa Gone, 2013)". MySwar. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  31. ^ "Telegraph India". Archived from the original on 29 May 2015.
  32. ^ Banan, Aastha. "YouTube sensation Arjun Kanungo, speaks about busking in New York". Mid-Day. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  33. ^ "Zara Zara - Chart history - Kworb". kworb.net.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ^ "Anirudh patiently taught me: Arjun Kanungo". The Times of India. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Arjun Kanungo drops 3 tracks from his debut album 'Industry'". The Statesman. 16 June 2022.
  36. ^ Kurian, Anila (3 July 2022). "Can't Separate Art from the Artist, says Arjun Kanungo". New India Express.
  37. ^ "Have incorporated life learning of 6 years in 'Industry': Arjun Kanungo". 12 July 2022.
  38. ^ Kurian, Anila (3 July 2022). "'Can't separate art from the artiste,' says singer Arjun Kanungo". Indian Express.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ "Arjun Kanungo unveils first single 'Danger' from his highly anticipated album 'Industry 2'". 5 July 2023.
  40. ^ Paul, Chokita (10 August 2023). "Independent musician Arjun Kanungo breaks down his latest album, Industry 2". Indian Express.
  41. ^ a b Sen, Debarati (19 October 2024). "I went into a shell, but now I'm better than ever before - Arjun Kanungo". Times of India.
  42. ^ "Arjun Kanungo - Asian Network Live 2017 Highlights". BBC.
  43. ^ a b "Jalebi movie review: Mahesh Bhatt's new-age romance". Firstpost. 13 October 2018. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  44. ^ a b "Non-film music is reaching more people than film songs: Arjun Kanungo". outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  45. ^ "Sidehero".
  46. ^ "Kunaal Roy Kapur: 'Side Hero' is the perfect spoof on the film industry". DNA India.
  47. ^ "Arjun Kanungo on working with Salman Khan in Radhe: He is very inspiring". The Indian Express. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  48. ^ a b "Hindi Film Song - Tum Chal Diye - Reprise (Pizza, 2014)". MySwar. Archived from the original on 21 August 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  49. ^ "Hindi Film Song - Jahan Tum Ho (Coffee Bloom, 2015)". MySwar. Archived from the original on 22 March 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  50. ^ "Hindi Film Song - Baaki Baatein peene baad". MySwar. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  51. ^ "Hindi Film Song - Fursat". The Indian Express. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  52. ^ "GiMA :: Non Film Music Winners 2016". www.gima.co.in. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  53. ^ "Arjun Kanungo - Awards - IMDB". Imdb.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  54. ^ "Singer and music composer Arjun Kanungo wins big at a prestigious event; bags the best singer award".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  55. ^ "Music and acting will have equal importance: Arjun Kanungo". The Week. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  56. ^ "This is what I call stuff of legends: Singer Arjun Kanungo". The Week. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  57. ^ "Arjun Kanungo's father dies of liver cancer, singer says 'until we meet again'". Hindustan Times. 30 April 2022.
  58. ^ "Singer Arjun Kanungo shares a throwback picture with father after he loses him to cancer". The times of India. 30 April 2022.
  59. ^ "Arjun Kanungo's Dramatic 27 Kg Weight Loss in 18 Months; Here's How He Did It". Only my health.
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