Arjun Kanungo

Last updated

Arjun Kanungo
Kanungo performing at Delhi University.jpg
Kanungo performing at Delhi University.
Background information
Born (1990-09-06) 6 September 1990 (age 35)
Origin Mumbai, India
Genres
  • Pop
  • rock
  • dance
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
  • composer
  • entrepreneur
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2013–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]

Contents

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]

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, [16] 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", [17] 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] [18]

Early life

Kanungo was born and raised in Mumbai. [19] His mother, a pistol shooter by profession,[ citation needed ] 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. [20] [21]

He went on to major in Journalism and Mass communication at R.D. National College, Mumbai. [22]

He is a trained Indian classical singer and plays the piano and guitar. [23] [24]

He is a qualified trained method actor from Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City. [25]

Career

At the age of 18, Kanungo opened a recording studio in Mumbai called Promethean Audio. [26] [27]

Kanungo's first commercial success came with "Khoon Choos Le" in the 2013 film Go Goa Gone, starring Saif Ali Khan. [28] [29]

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. [30]

Since then he has had Several hit songs - Fursat, Ek Dafaa (Chinnama), La La la with Neha Kakkar, Tang Mujhko, Zara Zara, 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'. [31]

In 2022, Kanungo released his first studio album titled 'Industry' on June 16, 2022. [32] [33] 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. [34] [35]

In 2023, Kanungo released a follow up album titled 'Industry 2'. The first single from the album released on 5 July 2023. [36] [37] Kanungo attributed not doing a tour for the album to a hip fracture which he experienced on a trip the Maldives with his wife. [38]

He made his debut in Bollywood alongside Salman Khan in Radhe (2021 film) where he played the role of 'Mansoor', a drug dealer. [39] He also played an extended cameo role in Mahesh Bhatt's 'Jalebi' where he played himself. [40] [41]

Acting Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2018 Jalebi (film)HimselfExtended Cameo Appearance [40] [41]
2018Side-hero (OTT)RanjitLead [42] [43]
2021 Radhe (film)MansoorFilm Acting debut [44]

Discography

As a Playback Singer

YearSongAlso featuringMovieMusicWriterLabel
2013Khoon Choos Le [28] Suraj Jagan, Priya Saraiya Go Goa Gone Sachin–Jigar [28] Priya SaraiyaSony Music
Learn To AdjustAsha Bhosle Mai [19] Nitin Shankar
2014Tum Chal Diye [45] Pizza Saurabh Kalsi [45] Times Music
2015Jahan Tum Ho [46] Shalmali Kholgade Prasad RuparelPrasad Ruparel
2016SirikkadheySrinidhi Venkatesh Remo Anirudh Ravichander Sony Music
2019House Party Song Sukhwinder Singh, Parry G Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga Rochak Kohli Gurpreet SainiZee Music
Nadaaniyaan Lisa Mishra The Sky Is Pink Pritam PritamZee Music
2022Joshuga HasharugaJoshuga Hasharuga (film)Praneeth MusicAditya Music

Singles and Albums - As lead artist

YearSongAlso featuringMovieMusicWriterLabel
2015Saibo (Rendition) Jonita Gandhi RenditionArjun Kanungo, Sachin-Jigar Sachin-JigarSony Music
Hasi (Rendition)Sanah MoiduttyRendition Ami Mishra Kunaal Vermaa Sony Music
Baaki Baatein Peene Baad [47] Badshah SingleArjun Kanungo, Ludwig Lindell, Ylva Dimberg Mayur Puri Sony Music
2016 Fursat [48] Sonal Chauhan SingleArjun Kanungo, Ludwig Lindell, Ylva Dimberg Mayur Puri Sony Music
Sanam Mere sanamJammin Season 1 Mithoon Sayyed QuadriIndependent
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 BadshahSony Music
2017Ek DafaaSingleArjun Kanungo, A.R. Rehman Mayur Puri, A.R.RehmanSony Music
Gallan TipsiyaanSingleArjun Kanungo, LH4LVayuSony Music
2018La La La Neha Kakkar SingleArjun Kanungo, Bilal Saeed Bilal Saeed, Arjun KanungoDesi Music Factory
La La La (Reprise)Reprise versionArjun Kanungo, Bilal SaeedArjun Kanungo, Bilal SaeedDesi Music Factory
Aaya Na TuMomina MustahsenSingleArjun Kanungo, Momina Mustehsan Kunaal Vermaa VYRL/ Universal Music
Aaya Na Tu RepriseReprise versionArjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa VYRL/ Universal Music
Sar Utha Ke Jiyo Jonita Gandhi PromotionalArjun KanungoArjun Kanungo, Kunaal VermaaUniversal Music
2019Tu Na MeraSingleArjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa VYRL/ Universal Music
Woh Baarishein Shriya Pilgaokar SingleArjun Kanungo Manoj Muntashir VYRL/ Universal Music
Hona ChaidaSingleArjun Kanungo, Nisha Asnani & Leny Magoufakis Mayur Puri VYRL/ Universal Music
2020Dil Kho Ke Jonita Gandhi PromotionalArjun KanungoAbhishek Arora, Anvita Dutt, Arjun Kanungo, Razik MujawarUniversal Music
Woh Baarishein RepriseReprise VersionArjun Kanungo Manoj Muntashir VYRL/ Universal Music
Tum Na Ho Prakriti Kakkar, Awez Darbar, Nagma MirajkarSingleAjay Vyaas Kunaal Vermaa VYRL/ Universal Music
Fursat Hai Aaj Bhi Sonal Chauhan SingleArjun Kanungo Mayur Puri VYRL/ Universal Music
Yeh ChahateinSingleArjun KanungoArjun KanungoOne Mind Music
Waada Hai Shehnaaz Gill Single with Shehnaaz Gill Arjun Kanungo & Shehnaaz Gill Manoj Muntashir VYRL/ Universal Music
Waada Hai RepriseReprise VersionArjun Kanungo Manoj Muntashir VYRL/ Universal Music
StatueFotty SevenPromotionalArjun KanungoFotty SevenUniversal Music
2021Mere Dil VichTanzeel KhanSingleArjun KanungoTanzeel KhanOne Mind Music
FamousSingleArjun KanungoArjun KanungoOne Mind Music
Famous ft. Fotty SevenFotty SevenSingleArjun KanungoArjun Kanungo, Fotty SevenOne Mind Music
Famous ft. KingKingSingleArjun KanungoArjun Kanungo, KingOne Mind Music
Dil Kisi Se Nikki Tamboli SingleArjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa Saregama
2022Baha Le JaSingleArjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa Saregama
Tera Tha Tera HoonIulia VânturSingleArjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa Zee Music
IlzaamKing, Carla DennisINDUSTRY (Album)Arjun Kanungo, KingArjun Kanungo, KingOne Mind Music
Bura SapnaSana SultanArjun KanungoArjun Kanungo
BarsaatArjun Kanungo Kunaal Vermaa
Waapas Aa JaoYash VaidArjun Kanungo, Yash VaidArjun Kanungo, Yash Vaid
Foto Rashmeet Kaur Arjun KanungoIP Singh
Ishq SamundarKingArjun Kanungo, KingArjun Kanungo, King
Everything sucks (India Remix)VaultboyArjun KanungoArjun 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 BurmanSaregama Music
Rangrez Aisha Sharma SingleAnurag SaikiaShakeel AzmiSony Music
Tang MujhkoSingleArjun KanungoArjun KanungoOne Mind Music
Killer Haseena Tulsi Kumar SingleArjun KanungoVayu, Diksha CT-series
GediChanna JandaliSingleArjun KanungoIP SinghUniversal Music
2023Teri Aadat Sandro Silva, DJ ShadowSingleArjun KanungoArjun Kanungo, Dhruv YogiiSpinnin Records
India to JapanCyber Rui, Shirley Setia INDUSTRY 2 (Album)Arjun KanungoArjun KanungoOne Mind Music
Kismat
Kehne ko kya rahaNemo
DangerJu!ie
Sach Bata MujheShirley Setia
Kismat (extended)
Tu Hain Zaeden
Destiny
2024Tell MeRenSingleArjun Kanungo, Kanata Okajima, RenArjun Kanungo, RenOne Mind Music
Lobby TalkOcean Sharma, NeszSingleArjun KanungoArjun KanungoOne Mind Music
Suno NaChamath SangeethSingleChamath SangeethMurtuza GadiwalaOne Mind Music
Mahi VeShivvyySingleArjun Kanungo, ShivvyyShivvyyOne Mind Music
SajnaSingleArjun KanungoArjun KanungoOne Mind Music
Inni SoniPrince SharmaSingleArjun Kanungo, Prince SharmaPrince SharmaT-Series
Make up your mindFotty Seven, Edwin Honoret, NemoSingleArjun Kanungo, Fotty Seven, Edwin Honoret, NemoArjun Kanungo, Fotty Seven, Edwin HonoretOne Mind Music

Awards and honors

AwardYearSong/FilmCategoryResultRef
Global Indian Music Academy Awards 2015 Baaki Baatein Peene Baad Jagjit Singh Award for Best Music Debut - Non FilmWon [49]
IWMBuzz Awards2019Most popular music single artistWon [50] [51]
12th Mirchi Music Awards 2020Woh BaarisheinIndependent Song of the YearNominated

Personal life

As a nature enthusiast, Kanungo promotes green energy and other alternative energy sources. He has also planted over 800 trees. [52]

He is also a three-time national gold medalist in center fire pistol shooting and a national-level basketball player. [53]

Kanungo's father, Rajendra Mehta, passed away from liver cancer in April, 2022. [54] [55]

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. [38] [56]

References

  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. 1 2 3 Tagat, Anurag (9 May 2024). "Cover Story: Arjun Kanungo Has a Grand Plan". Rolling Stones India .
  5. Joseph, Krupa (8 June 2021). "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. 1 2 "Singer Arjun Kanungo Is Excited To Collaborate With Mentor Asha Bhosle!". Koi Moi. 16 July 2019.
  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. Shah, Masumi (17 July 2024). "The want to stay original is missing in the current music scene: Arjun Kanungo". The Times of India .
  17. "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.
  18. Ferreira, Venus (5 August 2024). "Arjun Kanungo On Music Ventures And International Collaborations At All About Music Conference". Free press journal .
  19. 1 2 "Arjun Kanungo: 'Umeedien' is about hope and ambition - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  20. "Arjun Kanungo believes shooting as a sport helps him stay focused and honest in life!". Radio and Music. 22 January 2019.
  21. Kurian, Anila (17 January 2017). "Music has always been my passion". Deccan Herald .
  22. "Deja vu college moment for Arjun Kanungo". Bollywood Curry. 14 February 2016.
  23. "Arjun Kanungo makes his home environment-friendly". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  24. "Arjun Kanungo". IMDb.
  25. "Arjun Kanungo to release 26 videos through one-year deal with Sony Music India". Radioandmusic.com. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  26. Joseph, Krupa (8 June 2021). "11 Jam Rooms In Mumbai Providing Space For Musicians To Practice". Homegrown.co.in.
  27. 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 .
  28. 1 2 3 "Hindi Film Song - Khoon Choos Le (Go Goa Gone, 2013)". MySwar. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  29. "Telegraph India". Archived from the original on 29 May 2015.
  30. Banan, Aastha. "YouTube sensation Arjun Kanungo, speaks about busking in New York". Mid-Day. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  31. "Anirudh patiently taught me: Arjun Kanungo". The Times of India. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  32. "Arjun Kanungo drops 3 tracks from his debut album 'Industry'". The Statesman . 16 June 2022.
  33. Kurian, Anila (3 July 2022). "Can't Separate Art from the Artist, says Arjun Kanungo". New India Express .
  34. "Have incorporated life learning of 6 years in 'Industry': Arjun Kanungo". 12 July 2022.
  35. Kurian, Anila (3 July 2022). "'Can't separate art from the artiste,' says singer Arjun Kanungo". Indian Express .
  36. "Arjun Kanungo unveils first single 'Danger' from his highly anticipated album 'Industry 2'". 5 July 2023.
  37. Paul, Chokita (10 August 2023). "Independent musician Arjun Kanungo breaks down his latest album, Industry 2". Indian Express .
  38. 1 2 Sen, Debarati (19 October 2024). "I went into a shell, but now I'm better than ever before - Arjun Kanungo". Times of India .
  39. "Arjun Kanungo - Asian Network Live 2017 Highlights". BBC.
  40. 1 2 "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.
  41. 1 2 "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.
  42. "Sidehero". IMDb .
  43. "Kunaal Roy Kapur: 'Side Hero' is the perfect spoof on the film industry". DNA India .
  44. "Arjun Kanungo on working with Salman Khan in Radhe: He is very inspiring". The Indian Express. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  45. 1 2 "Hindi Film Song - Tum Chal Diye - Reprise (Pizza, 2014)". MySwar. Archived from the original on 21 August 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  46. "Hindi Film Song - Jahan Tum Ho (Coffee Bloom, 2015)". MySwar. Archived from the original on 22 March 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  47. "Hindi Film Song - Baaki Baatein peene baad". MySwar. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  48. "Hindi Film Song - Fursat". The Indian Express. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  49. "GiMA :: Non Film Music Winners 2016". www.gima.co.in. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  50. "Arjun Kanungo - Awards - IMDB". Imdb.com.
  51. "Singer and music composer Arjun Kanungo wins big at a prestigious event; bags the best singer award". 10 September 2022.
  52. "Music and acting will have equal importance: Arjun Kanungo". The Week. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  53. "This is what I call stuff of legends: Singer Arjun Kanungo". The Week. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  54. "Arjun Kanungo's father dies of liver cancer, singer says 'until we meet again'". Hindustan Times . 30 April 2022.
  55. "Singer Arjun Kanungo shares a throwback picture with father after he loses him to cancer". The times of India . 30 April 2022.
  56. "Arjun Kanungo's Dramatic 27 Kg Weight Loss in 18 Months; Here's How He Did It". Only my health. 20 September 2024.