Born on 30th July 1973 to Shri Agam Kumar Nigam and Mrs. Shobha Nigam in the city of Faridabad, Sonu Niigaam Ji performed on stage for the very first time at the age of 3, and later accompanied his father for various singing assignments. He moved to Mumbai in 1991 and started his career in music by singing jingles, cover versions and devotional songs.. Soon, Late Shri Gulshan Kumar recognized his talent and gave him his first break as a playback singer. The songs 'Sandese Aate Hai' from Border and 'Yeh Dil Deewana' from Pardes went on to become blockbusters in 1997, marking the arrival of the superstar!
Sonu Ji released his first major indipop album Sapne Ki Baat in 1997 which generated a remarkable response from the listeners. Following that, In 1998, albums such as 'Kismat' and 'Mausam'. History was made when Sonu Ji launched his album 'Deewana' in 1999. It led Sonu to the heights of his singing career and it was estimated that more than ten million copies were sold officially making it the highest selling album over the next few years!! His next two albums 'Jaan' and 'Yaad' in 2000 and 2001 respectively were also chart toppers!!
Sonu Ji is among the highest-paid singers of Bollywood and has become the safest choice for any music director to do justice to their composition. He has sung countless songs not only in Hindi but in almost all the regional languages of India and delivered chartbusters...He has established himself as one of the most versatile and soulful singers of India, appealing to the masses and connoisseurs alike. All prestigious awards adorn his mantelpiece, the most coveted of all being the National Award for the song Kal Ho Na Ho in 2003!
Sonu Ji's first venture as an independent composer/lyricist was with the album 'Spirit Unfolding'..He further broadened his horizons by turning composer/programmer/arranger with his album 'Chanda Ki Doli' in 2005, followed by a path breaking album 'Classically Mild' in 2008. The album is semi-classical with a touch of mainstream commercial music and is skilfully packaged to appeal to connoisseurs and laymen alike. His next milestone was 'Rafi Resurrected', an album in collaboration with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 2008,as a tribute to Late Mohammed Rafi, his idol and musical father. He then reached out to the west and collaborated with several American artists like Jermaine Jackson, Chaka Khan, Emmy-winning arranger and composer Chris Boardman; songwriter-producer Jud Friedman, Barbra Streisand,Rod Stewart, triple-Grammy nominee composer Steve Dorff and dancehall artist Mr.Vegas among many!!
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Legendary Performer
As a performer, the major breakthrough in Sonu Ji's career was being offered to host the singing Talent hunt Sa Re Ga Ma on Zee TV in 1995. He catapulted the show to heights that Indian TV had never seen before and it made him the most familiar face in households.
Stage and Sonu Ji are words which go hand in hand. Sonu Ji has performed all over the world. His shows are a class apart, stretching over 3 and half hours.His excellent rapport with the audience and his energetic acts have bowled over the audiences all over the world and the magic continues. A huge landmark in Sonu Ji's career was being invited to perform at the prestigious Harvard University in 2007, a true honour. It was a symbolic moment of the next phase for our music on the world stage - one that will be looked upon often for inspiration!
The superstar,is now an international icon, with fans and followers across the globe - The voice of a million hearts, the idol of a million music lovers. He is a student of music with a zeal to surpass his own targets, a musician who strives to better himself everyday. He is a legend at the age of 37, and his journey has just begun!
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