KK’s First Death Anniversary: A Look at His Prolific Musical Career with Love

Commemorating KK’s first death anniversary by taking you through the journey of KK’s hit tracks and songs that will remain evergreen always.

Written by: Arjita Gupta

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: May 31, 2023

Some legends last forever, no matter how many years and decades go by. Such a legend was KK, who became a hero in the hearts of people with his melodious and raving songs in pop as well as Bollywood. His beautiful voice coupled with a smiling face made him more affable not just in the industry but the audience. Also, his life has been free of controversies and drama. With his death last year at a music concert in Kolkata on 31 May, we mark his first death anniversary. And as a tribute, run you through some of his successes that are here to stay.

KK started his musical career in 1999 with the album Pal, his debut solo pop-rock effort, with music from Leslie Lewis. The singer instantly gained a loyal fan base with hits tracks from the album such as Aap Ki Dua, Pal, and Yaaron. In 2008, he released Humsafar, his next album. And through the years, the singer sang songs not just in Hindi but in other languages as well such as Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Odia, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Assamese, and Kannada. Some of his songs that are played to date include Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar from MP3 and Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai from Who Lamhe, apart from others.

KK’s first song in Bollywood was from the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999. The song was the famous track Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se. He also sang some parts of Chhod Aaye Hum from the movie Maachis in 1996. In 2002 and 2006, he sang Awaarapan Banjarapan in Jism and Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai in Woh Lamhe, respectively. Then in 2007, he did Aankhon Mein Teri in Om Shanti Om and Labon Ko in Bhool Bhulaiyaa. In 2008 and 2010, he sang Khuda Jane in Bachna Ae Haseeno and Dil Kyun Yeh Mera in Kites, proceeding in 2013 with Mat Aazma Re in Murder 3.

In 2014, the singer sang India Wale in Happy New Year and with a soothing track from Bajrangi Bhaijaan – Tu Jo Mila in 2015, he became memorable among the current generation. Tu Aashiqui Hai from Jhankaar Beats won him the National Award. KK sang title tracks for television serials such as Kuch Jhuki Si Palkein, Just Mohabbat, Just Dance, Hip Hip Hurray, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, and Kkavyanjali. He also sang the title track of The Ghost - Tanha Chala. It was a Pakistani TV show.

While performing in Kolkata on May 31, 2022, KK suffered a heart attack and passed away. After his performance at Nazrul Manch, he felt unwell, thus he was brought to the CMRI hospital. When the physicians arrived, they pronounced him dead. Jyothy Krishna is KK’s wife and together the couple were parents to Taamara and Nakul. After KK’s death, his song Dhoop Paani Bahne De from Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga, was released.