Arjun Kanungo
Arjun Kanungo | |
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Background information | |
Born | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | 6 September 1990
Origin | Mumbai, India |
Genres |
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Occupations |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 2013–present |
Labels | Sony Music India, VYRL Originals, Universal Music India, Desi Music Factory |
Spouse | Carla 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]- ^ "I had no music scene till I was 18: Arjun Kanungo". The Statesman. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo | Bollywood Music Project". The Bollywood Project. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- ^ "I am a singer today only because of Asha Bhosle ji: Arjun Kanungo". Hindustan Times. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ a b c Tagat, Anurag (9 May 2024). "Cover Story: Arjun Kanungo Has a Grand Plan". Rolling Stones India.
- ^ Joseph, Krupa (8 June 2021). "11 Jam Rooms In Mumbai Providing Space For Musicians To Practice". Homegrown.co.in.
- ^ Suri, Rishabh (26 July 2017). "I am a singer today only because of Asha Bhosle ji: Arjun Kanungo". Hindustan Times.
- ^ a b "Singer Arjun Kanungo Is Excited To Collaborate With Mentor Asha Bhosle!". Koi Moi. 16 July 2019.
- ^ Ferreira, Venus (5 November 2022). "'Baaki Baatein Peene Baad is the one song that changed me,' says Arjun Kanungo".
- ^ "Badshah, Arjun Kanungo join hands for new party song". Hindustan Times. 26 September 2015.
- ^ "Watch: Arjun Kanungo's new love song 'Fursat' will leave you mesmerised". 4 April 2016.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo's 2018 song Aaya Na Tu clocks 100 million on YouTube: 'Glad people are still enjoying it'". 29 July 2021.
- ^ "I don't understand Tamil, Anirudh was patient enough with me: Arjun Kanungo". 26 July 2016.
- ^ "Watch New Hindi Trending Song Music Video - 'Ilzaam' Sung By Arjun Kanungo, King". The Times of India.
- ^ "Ek Dafaa (Chinamma)". officialcharts.com.
- ^ "La La La - Officialcharts.com". officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Ilzaam - Spotify Chart History". kworb.net.
- ^ Shah, Masumi (17 July 2024). "The want to stay original is missing in the current music scene: Arjun Kanungo". The Times of India.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Ferreira, Venus (5 August 2024). "Arjun Kanungo On Music Ventures And International Collaborations At All About Music Conference". Free press journal.
- ^ a b "Arjun Kanungo: 'Umeedien' is about hope and ambition - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo's Mother, Sheila Kanungo Is A Pistol Shooter And Is Representing India For Past 30 Yrs". 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo believes shooting as a sport helps him stay focused and honest in life!". Radio and Music. 22 January 2019.
- ^ Kurian, Anila (17 January 2017). "Music has always been my passion". Deccan Herald.
- ^ "Deja vu college moment for Arjun Kanungo". Bollywood Curry. 14 February 2016.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo makes his home environment-friendly". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo". IMDb.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo to release 26 videos through one-year deal with Sony Music India". Radioandmusic.com. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ Joseph, Krupa (8 June 2021). "11 Jam Rooms In Mumbai Providing Space For Musicians To Practice". Homegrown.co.in.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Hindi Film Song - Khoon Choos Le (Go Goa Gone, 2013)". MySwar. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ "Telegraph India". Archived from the original on 29 May 2015.
- ^ Banan, Aastha. "YouTube sensation Arjun Kanungo, speaks about busking in New York". Mid-Day. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ^ "Zara Zara - Chart history - Kworb". kworb.net.
- ^ "Anirudh patiently taught me: Arjun Kanungo". The Times of India. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo drops 3 tracks from his debut album 'Industry'". The Statesman. 16 June 2022.
- ^ Kurian, Anila (3 July 2022). "Can't Separate Art from the Artist, says Arjun Kanungo". New India Express.
- ^ "Have incorporated life learning of 6 years in 'Industry': Arjun Kanungo". 12 July 2022.
- ^ Kurian, Anila (3 July 2022). "'Can't separate art from the artiste,' says singer Arjun Kanungo". Indian Express.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo unveils first single 'Danger' from his highly anticipated album 'Industry 2'". 5 July 2023.
- ^ Paul, Chokita (10 August 2023). "Independent musician Arjun Kanungo breaks down his latest album, Industry 2". Indian Express.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo - Asian Network Live 2017 Highlights". BBC.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Sidehero". IMDb.
- ^ "Kunaal Roy Kapur: 'Side Hero' is the perfect spoof on the film industry". DNA India.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo on working with Salman Khan in Radhe: He is very inspiring". The Indian Express. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Hindi Film Song - Tum Chal Diye - Reprise (Pizza, 2014)". MySwar. Archived from the original on 21 August 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ "Hindi Film Song - Jahan Tum Ho (Coffee Bloom, 2015)". MySwar. Archived from the original on 22 March 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ "Hindi Film Song - Baaki Baatein peene baad". MySwar. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
- ^ "Hindi Film Song - Fursat". The Indian Express. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "GiMA :: Non Film Music Winners 2016". www.gima.co.in. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo - Awards - IMDB". Imdb.com.
- ^ "Singer and music composer Arjun Kanungo wins big at a prestigious event; bags the best singer award". 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Music and acting will have equal importance: Arjun Kanungo". The Week. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ "This is what I call stuff of legends: Singer Arjun Kanungo". The Week. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo's father dies of liver cancer, singer says 'until we meet again'". Hindustan Times. 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Singer Arjun Kanungo shares a throwback picture with father after he loses him to cancer". The times of India. 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Arjun Kanungo's Dramatic 27 Kg Weight Loss in 18 Months; Here's How He Did It". Only my health. 20 September 2024.