Top 10 Bollywood Playback Singers Since The 90's

Playback Names like Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, and others have dominated the art of singing for decades. Following their long reign, new and fresh voices have emerged, giving the songs their distinct taste. In this period, a completely new generation of youthful vocalists has successfully taken over the Bollywood music scene.

Let's take a look at ten of these promising young performers.

1. Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh happens to be the most loved playback singer of this generation. He began his singing career by participating in a talent show called Fame Gurukul . Arjit worked as an assistant to a few music composers before debuting as a playback singer with the song “Phir Mohabbat” from the movie “ Murder 2 ”. His fame reached its peak after singing “Tum Hi Ho” in the film “Aashiqui 2”. He is now the most loved romantic singer and has given several super hit songs to the industry. Some of his best-known songs are “Phir Le Aaya Dil,” “Kabira,” “ Laal Ishq ,” “Kabhi Jo Badal Barse,” “ Ae Dil Hai Mushkil ,” etc.

2. ‘ Papon ’

Angarag Mahanta (Papon) hails from Assam and is now a leading singer, composer, and music producer. He started his career with Classical and folk music and learned to play several instruments. His first nationwide acclaimed song was “Jiyein Kyun” from the movie Dum Maaro Dum . He has sung several wonderful songs, including “Kaun Mera’, “Tu Jo Mila,” “Humnava,” “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage,” “Bulleya,” etc. He also appeared in MTV Coke Studio. Apart from Bollywood songs, Papon composes tracks independently too. He has won several awards as the Best Playback Singer.

3. Armaan Malik

The nephew of composer Anu Malik , Armaan was a contestant in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs. Having sung for hundreds of TV commercials and movies as a child, he worked as a dubbing artist for “ My Name Is Khan ” and Slumdog Millionaire . He has gained popularity for the songs “Main Hoon Hero Tera,” “Tumhe Apna Banane Ka,” “ Wajah Tum Ho ,” “Pyaar Manga Hai,” etc. His soothing voice and charming personality make him the heartthrob of teenage girls nationwide.

4. Neeti Mohan

Neeti Mohan participated in a few reality shows before emerging as a playback singer in Bollywood. Her first song in Bollywood was “Ishq Wala Love” in the movie “Student Of The Year.” Some of her other songs are “Manwa Laage”, “Har Kisi Ko”, “ Bang Bang ”, “Sapna Jahan”, “Tumhe Apna Banane Ka”, etc. Neeti has made a name for herself through her voice and singing talent.

5. Kanika Kapoor

Kanika Kapoor began her singing career with the song “Jugni Ji,” a music video. She hit the jackpot in Bollywood with her song “Baby Doll,” which became a rage among the audience. She has followed this song with other successful numbers like “Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan,” “Nachan Farrate,” “ Lovely ,” “Beat Pe Booty,” etc. Besides playback singing, Kanika is a hugely popular concert artist and stage performer.

6. Ankit Tiwari

Ankit Tiwari is a singer as well as a music composer. Before entering Bollywood, he composed tunes for TV commercials. He is famous for his song “Sun Raha Hai Na Tu” from the film Aashiqui 2, which he composed and sang. He has achieved success both as a singer and composer equally. He has composed music for the movies Do Dooni Chaar , Aashiqui 2, Ek Villain , ‘PK,’ ‘ Roy ,’ ‘ Rustom ,’ etc. Some of his well-known songs are “Galliyan”, “Bheeg Loon”, “Tu Hai Ki Nahin”, etc.

7. Neha Kakkar

Neha Kakkar arrived in the industry through “ Indian Idol 2 ” in 2006. She released an album in 2008 which the Meet Brothers composed. Her first truly hit song was “Second Hand Jawaani” from ‘Cocktail.’ She has sung many more acclaimed songs like “Dhating Naach,” “Sunny Sunny,” “Manali Trance,” “Kar Gayi Chull,” etc. She has become a brand of her own with her unconventional voice and unique appeal.

8. Monali Thakur

Monali Thakur is a Bengali artist who has become India’s well-known playback singer and actress. She was a participant in Indian Idol 2 but was soon eliminated. Her song “Zara Zara Touch Me” from ‘ Race ’ became a super hit and launched her Bollywood career. Her other popular songs are “Sawaar Loon," “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage,” “Cham Cham” etc. She won a National Award for Best Female Playback Singer due to her brilliant rendition of the song “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage” in the film “Dum Laga Ke Haisha.”

9. ‘ Badshah ’

Badshah is a Punjabi singer and rapper who has made it big in Bollywood. His first popular song was “Saturday Saturday” from the film “ Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania ,” which became a party anthem. Some other songs of his include “Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai,” “Kar Gayi Chull,” “Kala Chashma,” “The Breakup Song,” etc. His rapping skills and fast-paced songs have been widely appreciated.

10. Palak Muchhal

Palak Muchhal is a playback singer and social worker who raises money for charity through concerts and stage shows. She has a beautiful voice and has delivered many hit songs in Bollywood. Some of them are “Meri Aashiqui”, “Dhokha Dhadi”, “Jumme Ki Raat”, “Teri Meri Kahani”, “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, “Kaun Tujhe”, etc. She has sung in Bengali movies as well.