K.K.

There are several artists named K.K.

1. Krishnakumar Menon {also known as K.K. or Kay Kay) is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. He is a prominent singer in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu films. His name is often confused with the similar screen name of a Bollywood actor, Kay Kay Menon.

Krishnakumar Menon was brought up in New Delhi. A graduate of Delhi University, he waited at tables for 6 months before he got his break, singing in a jingle for a commercial. He appeared in "Josh of India" song for the support of Indian Cricket Team during Cricket World Cup 1999. Following this,he released an album called 'Pal', the title song of which struck a chord with listeners. Another song titled "Yaaron" from the same album was also popular.

His first song for a Bollywood flick was "Chhod Aaye Hum" (Maachis). But it was the song "Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil", from the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, that brought him into limelight.

Starting off from Hindi, he sang his way to the southern part of the country,singing in Tamil, Telugu and even Kannada; the song "Uyirin Uyirae" from the Tamil movie "Kakha Kakha" ("Cheliya Cheliya" from the Telugu movie Gharsanna) being one of the better-known songs.

Back in Bollywood, he notched up winners with songs such as "Tu Aashiqui Hai" from "Jhankaar Beats" (for which he received a National Award), "Chand Ki Roshni Se" from "Home Delivery" and the smash hit "Dus Bahaane" (with Shaan) from the film "Dus". Recently, his hit songs "Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai" from the movie Gangster, "Soniye Soniye" from "Aksar","Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hai" from "Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hai","Alvida Alvida" from "Life in a Metro" and "Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai" from "Woh Lamhe" have cemented his place as one of Bollywood's most talented vocalists.

His distinctive voice, which seems to get even clearer with the increase in pitch, and his style of rendition are his biggest assets. He created a rage in tamil with the song "Appadi Podu ". The reclusive singer finally came out of the shadows to be one of the judges in the popular reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005.

2. KK is also British ambient composer/producer KK (KK Kerrigan), who has worked with Brian Eno, Bjork, James Newton Howard and others. His album 'Telescopes' is here, or find out more at www.kkthemusic.com