When he was 18-years old, Sonu Nigam gave his first hit song to the film industry. Since then he has cut four pop-albums and his latest release JAAN has shown that he is not a run-of the-mill singer but an artist par-excellence. Some know him as a playback singer, others know him as the adorable host of ‘Sa-Re-Ga-Ma’ (on ZEE-TV). Many have appreciated him as an independent pop-star and those who failed to see these talents in him merely know him as a good dancer. Yes, Sonu Nigam indeed is a multi-faceted personality.
Sonu started singing when he was 4-years old and now he has more than 23 years of experience behind the microphone. Sonu nigam's debut album SAPNON KI BAAT(which he wanted to name-AGAR MERA BUS CHALE) proved to be a dud, and it was with KISMAT (his second album) that he made forays into Indian popdom and came into limelight. But the glory-days were transient as his next album MAUSAM failed to turn up the trumps. Ironically SONU explains, "I should admit personally that MAUSAM is my best effort so far. Sales-wise it wasn't a success since the promotion of the album was not proper. Secondly, I tried to give many moods and shades to it, with idea of giving all-in-one and that's where I made a mistake". But then came the super-success of DEEWANA, which became the second largest selling album after ALTAF RAJA's Tum To Theheray Pardesi In the meantime Sonu also did a classical bhajan album &SANSKAR (with Shashi Gopal), which was more of an experimental attempt for him.
This prodigious artist seems to be having an terminable stock of music inside him as he recently came out with another pop-album & JAAN running hot on music charts nowadays. This album features what he calls eight soul-stirring songs that are laced with romantic dreams. The music is by Nikhil Vinay,while the lyrics have been penned by Faaiz Anwar. About & JAAN & Sonu candidly xplains: "It is an undercurrent of love and passion and I have seen to it that it turns out well. During & Mausam deep in my heart I knew that it was too much for Indian udiences but for &JAAN I can bet that its going to go great guns." In fact nothing seems to have changed for Sonu after so many successes. When asked what surprises does he hold for his music-lovers in the future he quips: "I want to bring out an album on the lines of MAUSAM as I have said it is my best work so far. But this time I am going to be more coutious". Till then the magical spell of JAAN& will captivate his listeners and reserve a place for him in the hearts of many millions. Till then he can choose to rest on his laurels.
