KK (Singer) Biography
Krishnakumar Kunnat a.k.a K.K was born on August 23rd 1968 in a Hindu Malyali Family. K.K’s parents are C. S. Menon and Kunnath Kanakavalli. K.K was brought up in the capital city of India, New Delhi.
He is an alumnus of Delhi’s Mount St Mary’s School and graduated from Kirori Mal College Delhi University.
Family
K K married his childhood love Jyothy in 1991.His son Nakul Krishna Kunnath sang a song “Masti” from his latest album Humsafar with him. KK also has a daughter named Tamara Kunnath who, according to KK, loves playing piano. KK says that his family is his source of energy.
Career
After being graduated KK started his job as a marketing executive in Hotel for straight 8 months in Hotel industry.
Later in 1994 he moved to Mumbai for the urge of pursuing a career in singing industry.
K K sang 3,500 jingles before breaking into Bollywood. He sang in the “Josh of India” song for the support of Indian Cricket Team during Cricket World Cup of 1999. This song featured members of the Indian Cricket Team.
In the year 1994 he sang his Jingles and recorded it, and had given those records to Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot and Lesle Lewis in order to get his break in the big Bollywood industry.
K K was called by UTV and he sang a jingle for Santogen Suiting ad. In a span of four years, he has sung more than 3,500 jingles in 11 Indian languages. K K got the first break in Mumbai from UTV to sing jingles. KK considers Lesle Lewis as his mentor for giving him his first jingle to sing in Mumbai.
K K was introduced as a playback singer with A. R. Rahman’s hit song “Kalluri Saaley“
“Hello Dr.” from Kadir’s Kadhal Desam and then “Strawberry Kannae” from AVM Productions’s musical film Minsara Kanavu (1997).
Pritam Chakraborty is also a fan of him. He got his Bollywood break “Tadap Tadap” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999).
However, prior to this song he had sung a small portion of the song “Chhod Aaye Hum” from Gulzar’s Maachis.
Till now, K K has sung more than 500 songs in Hindi and more than 200 songs in Telugu, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages.
K K has worked with almost every music director of Hindi film industry active from 1999. He has lent his voice to the biggest hit song of the year 2014 “Tune Maari Entriyaan” among several others in Gunday.
K K’s new song from the movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan called “Tu Jo Mila” has become popular, many times remained No.1 on iTunes.
Guinness World Record holder Kumar Sanu who reigned as the top playback singer during the 1990s, has mentioned in several interviews that from the new generation of singers he admires KK.
Singing Style
K K has been highly influenced by Kishore Kumar and Legendary Music Director R. D Burman , Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, Led Zeppelin are also favorite international singers.
Television
Sony Music Company had launched in 1999 and they were looking for an artists and their album to be launched via Sony Music label. KK was selected as the new artiste and he came out with a solo album titled Pal with Lesle Lewis composing the music.
The album was arranged, composed and produced by Lesle Lewis of Colonial Cousins. The lyrics have been penned by Mehboob. The songs “Aap Ki Dua“, “Yaaron” and the title track “Pal” in no time ruled the lips of youngsters & also the music chart.
The album just created history. Pal was the first album released by KK under Sony Music for which he got the prestigious Screen award as best singer.
K K had also participated in the venture Mtv Coke Studio he had sang a Qawwali ‘’Chadta Suraj’’.
On August 29th K K appeared in a singing reality show Indian Idol Junior Season 2 and he performed Khuda Jaane , Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hain, Make Some Noise For The Desi Boyz, “Ajab Si”, “Sach Kehraha Hai Deewana” and many more songs with the junior idols.
“Tu Aashiqui Hai” with Vishal Dadlani, “Aashaayen” with Salim Merchant and “Tadap Tadap” with Sonakshi Sinha.
After 10 years, He appeared in a singing reality show as a judge and guest jury member.
Collaborations
- A.R Rahman – Dunia Dilwalon Ki, Sapnay, Saathiya
- Himesh Reshammiyan – Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aaisi, Aap ki Khatir, Aahista Aahista, Aksar, Chup Chup Ke.
- Pritam – Bhagambhag, Fightclub, Gangster, Woh Lamhe, Bhool Bhoolaiyan, Hattrick, Life In A…Metro.
- Vishal Bhardwaj – Beetabi, Maachis, Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar, Love ke Liye Kuch Bhi karega.
- Anu Malik – Har Dil jo Pyaar Karega, Hera Pheri , Aks, Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hain, Yaadein.
Awards
- Hub Awards Best Male Playback Singer 2005.
- Eenam-Swaralaya Singer of the Year Award – Sinvger of the Year – 2012.
- Screen Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Khuda Jaane 2009
