Hirdesh Singh (born 15 March 1983), known professionally as Yo Yo Honey Singh, is an Indian singer, music producer and actor. He commenced his career as a hip-hop music producer in 2003, working as a session and recording artist within the underground music scene until the release of his debut studio album, International Villager.
Early life Hirdesh Singh was born on 15 March 1983 in the residential district of Karampura in West Delhi to a Sikh family from Hoshiarpur, Punjab. He studied at the Guru Nanak Public School in New Delhi.
Career Music
In 2006, Singh collaborated with singer Ashok Masti for the song "Glassy", marking his debut in the music industry.
During the early 2010s, Singh became popular in the Indian music industry, performing at numerous college festivals such as Ansal Institute of Technology and Ramjas College in Delhi.
By 2012, Singh set a record for the highest fee ever paid to an artist for a Bollywood song, reportedly receiving ₹7 million rupees (US$84,000) for tracks in the movies Cocktail and Mastan. He sang his first Hindi song in Mastan.
His popularity surged on YouTube with two of his videos— "Brown Rang" and "High Heels" (a collaboration with Jaz Dhami)—ranking among the top trending videos that year. Following the success of "Brown Rang", Singh released "Angreji Beat" in collaboration with Gippy Grewal. This track further solidified his presence in the music industry, becoming a party anthem across India. In 2013, Singh released another song, "Blue Eyes". The song, known for its sleek production and catchy hook, became an instant hit, showcasing his versatility in blending Hindi and English lyrics with an international sound. In 2014, Singh released his second album, Desi Kalakaar, with the eponymous title track and "Love Dose".
The title track featured Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha in its accompanying music video. He released the song "Birthday Bash" in February 2015.
In 2024, Singh launched his album Glory, featuring 18 tracks, including "Millionaire", "Rap God", and "Jatt Mehkma". This album marked a significant milestone in his career and received widespread acclaim, with multiple songs trending on music streaming platforms.
In December 2024, a documentary titled Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous was released on Netflix. The documentary received mixed reviews.
In 2025, Honey Singh announced his Millionaire India Tour in association with Aaj Tak, where he visited 10 cities across India, namely, Mumbai, Lucknow, Delhi, Indore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Kolkata.
In 2026, Honey Singh announced his My Story: India Tour in association with NDTV , where he scheduled visit for 10 cities .
Bollywood His debut song in Bollywood films was "Shakal Pe Mat Ja", featuring Gagan Sidhu. Singh charged Rs. 7 million for a song in the film Mastan. This was the largest amount paid to a singer in Bollywood then, making Singh one of the highest-paid musical artists in Bollywood.Honey Singh paid the highest fee for song . Hindustan Times (2 May 2012). Retrieved 4 May 2012.Yo-Yo Honey Singh becomes the costliest Bollywood singer . Daily Bhaskar (2 May 2012). Retrieved 4 May 2012.
In February 2015 he released the songs "Birthday Bash" with Alfaaz, followed by songs in films including Gabbar Is Back and Bhaag Johnny.
Mumbai Saga's first song "Shor Machega", was released on 28 February 2021. It was composed by Singhsta, with lyrics and vocals by Singhsta and Hommie Dilliwala.
Acting
Singh made his acting debut with a cameo appearance in Baljit Singh Deo's Punjabi film Mirza - The Untold Story (2012), performing the role of Deesha, a mad gangster. The role won him the PTC Punjabi Film Award for Best Male Debut. The following year, Singh appeared in another Punjabi film, this time in a comedy by Amit Prasher, Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22, as Rolly, a childish and spoilt brat, alongside Amrinder Gill.
Personal life
On 23 January 2011, Singh married Shalini Talwar, a longtime friend. In November 2023, the couple were divorced after Talwar claimed she had suffered domestic violence. Singh denied the allegations, and Talwar withdrew them after the divorce was settled.
In his Netflix documentary, Singh disclosed that he suffers from bipolar disorder. In a 2026 interview, he revealed that he wears a wig during his public appearances, due to the hair loss he faced while he was consuming medications for his condition.
Controversies
Singh's work has been criticised as being vulgar, misogynist, offensive and racist promoting violence against women along with promoting alcohol abuse and drugs and a bad influence on youth. There have been reactions in print to Singh, such as from Annie Zaidi, who wrote "An Open Letter to Honey Singh" in January 2013, and Sandipan Sharma, who wrote "Thanks for the crassness: An open letter to Honey Singh from a parent" in July 2014.
In the aftermath of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, a song "Main Hoon Balatkari" () became popular in the city, its lyrics glorifying rape. The song was attributed to Singh, although he denied having sung or written the song. A first information report (FIR) was lodged against Singh for the song's lyrics, and a group of social activists filed an online petition demanding cancellation of his New Year performance at a Gurgaon hotel. After the campaign, Singh's New Year concert was cancelled by the hotel. A case was dismissed by Chandigarh High Court who found no proof that Singh was its singer.
Singh's song "Party All Night" from Akshay Kumar's 2013 film Boss was at the centre of a controversy for a "vulgar" word in its lyrics, with a petition filed to stay the release of the film until the word or the song was removed. Producers of the movie submitted a petition in Delhi High Court claiming to have "muted" the word. Singh denied that the word was vulgar, saying that people "must have heard it wrongly".
In 2014, Singh and fellow rapper Raftaar were in dispute over whether Raftaar should receive credit for the lyrics of the song "Yeh Fugly Fugly Kya Hai".
In 2015, a student of St. Stephen's College went viral for a rap that parodied Singh's problematic songs from a feminist perspective.
In 2021, Honey Singh's wife Shalini Talwar filed a case against him in Tis Hazari Court for domestic violence. Talwar accused Singh of "numerous incidents of physical abuse, verbal, mental abuse and emotional abuse", and accused him of adultery.
In 2025, a notice was sent for the singer to appear on August 11, 2025, by Punjab State Women's Commission for lyrics on his 2024 album Glory, in the track "Millionaire" being perceived as derogatory towards women. A report was demanded from the Director General of Police (DGP). Chairperson Raj Lali Gill demanded an investigation by the Punjab DGP and sought to ban such content.
Following a plea filed by Hindu Shakti Dal in March 2026, Singh's 2006 collaboration with Badshah, titled "Volume 1", was ordered a takedown by the Delhi High Court, from all social media and music streaming platforms, citing its derogatory nature towards women.
Selected discography
Albums Title Album details International Villager Released: 11 November 2011 Label: Speed Records Desi Kalakaar Released: 26 September 2014 Label: T-Series Honey 3.0 Released: 15 March 2024 Label: Zee Music Company Glory Released: 26 August 2024 Label: T-Series 51 Glorious Days Released: 26 September 2025 Label: T-Series
Singles YearTrackArtist(s) Notes 2012"Brown Rang" Yo Yo Honey Singh 2015"Dheere Dheere" Yo Yo Honey SinghMusic video featuring Hrithik Roshan and Sonam Kapoor2021"Saiyaan Ji" Yo Yo Honey Singh and Neha Kakkar"Kanta Laga" Tony Kakkar ft. Yo Yo Honey Singh and Neha Kakkar
Appearances on film soundtracks Year Movie Song Singer(s) Music director(s) 2011Desi Boyz"Subhah Hone Na De"Mika Singh, Shefali Alvares, Yo Yo Honey Singh Pritam 2012 Cocktail "Main Sharabi" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Javed Bashir "Angrezi Beat" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Gippy Grewal Yo Yo Honey Singh Son of Sardaar "Rani Tu Mein Raja" Mika Singh, Bhavya Pandit, Yo Yo Honey Singh Himesh Reshammiya Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana "Kikli Kalerdi" Amit Trivedi, Pinky Maidasani and Yo Yo Honey Singh Amit Trivedi Khiladi 786 "Lonely Lonely" Himesh Reshammiya, Yo Yo Honey Singh and Hamsika Iyer Himesh Reshammiya 2013 Race 2 "Party on My Mind" KK, Shefali Alvares, Yo Yo Honey Singh Pritam Mere Dad Ki Maruti "Punjabiyan Di Battery" Mika Singh, Yo Yo Honey Singh Sachin Gupta Bajatey Raho "Kudi Tu Butter" Yo Yo Honey Singh Yo Yo Honey Singh & Jaidev Kumar Chennai Express "Lungi Dance" – The 'Thalaiva(r)' Tribute Yo Yo Honey Singh Boss "Boss" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Meet Bros Anjjan Meet Bros Anjjan "Party All Night" Yo Yo Honey Singh 2014 Yaariyan "ABCD"Benny Dayal, Shefali Alvares & Yo Yo Honey Singh Pritam"Sunny Sunny"Neha Kakkar, Yo Yo Honey SinghYo Yo Honey Singh Dedh Ishqiya "Horn OK Please" Honey Singh, Sukhwinder Singh Vishal Bhardwaj Ragini MMS 2 "Chaar Botal Vodka"Yo Yo Honey Singh Yo Yo Honey Singh Bhoothnath Returns "Party with the Bhoothnath" Fugly "Ye Fugly Fugly Kya Hai"Banjaare Kick "Yaar Naa Miley" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Jasmine Sandlas Singham Returns "Aata Majhi Satakli" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Mamta Sharma, Nitu Choudhry The Shaukeens "Alcoholic" Yo Yo Honey Singh "Manali Trance" Neha Kakkar, Yo Yo Honey Singh 2015 Dilliwali Zaalim Girlfriend "Birthday Bash" Alfaaz and Yo Yo Honey Singh Gabbar is Back "Aao Raja" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Neha Kakkar Bhaag Johnny "Aankhon Aankhon" Yo Yo Honey Singh 2016 Ki & Ka "High Heels" (Remake) Jaz Dhami, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Aditi Singh SharmaMeet Bros, Yo Yo Honey Singh2018 Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety "Dil Chori" Honey Singh, Simar Kaur, SinghstaYo Yo Honey Singh "Chhote Chhote Peg" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Neha Kakkar, Navraj Hans Mitron "This Party Is Over Now" Yo Yo Honey Singh Loveyatri "Rang Taari" Dev Negi, Yo Yo Honey Singh Tanishk Bagchi Baazaar "Billionaire" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Simar Kaur, Singhsta Yo Yo Honey Singh2019Jabariya Jodi "Khadke Glassy" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Ashok Masti, Jyotica TangriTanishk Bagchi, Ashok Masti, Ramji GulatiGlassy 2.0Jhootha Kahin Ka"Funk Love" Yo Yo Honey SinghYo Yo Honey SinghMarjaavaan "Peeyu Datke" Yo Yo Honey Singh, Ritu PathakPagalpanti "Thumka" Yo Yo Honey Singh 2020Chhalaang"Care Ni Karda"Yo Yo Honey Singh, Sweetaj Brar 2021Mumbai Saga"Shor Machega"Yo Yo Honey Singh featuring Hommie Dilliwala and Shruti Sinha 2022Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2"De Taali"Yo Yo Honey Singh, Armaan Malik, Shashwat SinghPritam2023Selfiee"Kudi Chamkeeli"Yo Yo Honey SinghYo Yo Honey SinghKisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan"Let's Dance Chotu Motu"Yo Yo Honey Singh, Devi Sri Prasad, Salman Khan, Neha BhasinDevi Sri PrasadYaariyan 2"Blue Hai Paani Paani"Arijit Singh, Neha KakkarYo Yo Honey Singh, Khaalif "Sunny Sunny 2.0"Yo Yo Honey Singh, Neha Kakkar "Kho Sa Gaya Hoon"Manan Bhardwaj, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Neha Kakkar Manan Bhardwaj, Yo Yo Honey Singh 2024Khel Khel Mein"Hauli Hauli"Guru Randhawa, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Neha KakkarGuru Randhawa 2025Fateh"Hitman"Yo Yo Honey SinghYo Yo Honey SinghRaid 2"Money Money"Housefull 5"Laal Pari"Yo Yo Honey Singh, Simar Kaur De De Pyaar De 2"Jhoom Sharabi"Yo Yo Honey Singh 2026KingTBATBAAnirudh Ravichander
Production discography Year Album Artist 2009 The Next Level Diljit Dosanjh 2011 Alfaaz – The Boy Next Door Alfaaz 2014 Desi Kalakaar Honey Singh
Filmography
Movies
+ As an actor Year Film Role Language Notes 2012 Mirza - The Untold Story Deesha Punjabi 2013 Tu Mera 22 Main Tera 22 Rolly Punjabi Hindi Remake of Partner 2014 The Xpose Kenny Damania Hindi 2016 Zorawar Agent Zorawar Singh Punjabi
Television
YearShowChannelRole2014India's Raw StarStar PlusJudge
Awards
2010 PTC Punjabi Best Music Director 2010 for the song "Desi Daroo"PTC Punjabi Music Awards 2010 . The Tribune. Retrieved 3 January 2012.