“You Are Killing Artists”: Arijit Singh Opens Up About Payment Issues in Music Industry

Renowned playback singer Arijit Singh has announced his retirement from singing for films, leaving millions of fans heartbroken. Before stepping away from the spotlight, Arijit had openly addressed one of the most pressing issues in the music industry—delayed and unfair payments to artists.

In a 2023 interview with The Music Podcast, he urged filmmakers, producers, and production houses to maintain transparency and ethical practices when compensating creative professionals.

“Pay for the Work You Ask For”
Arijit emphasized that discussions about payment in the industry often remain vague or verbal. He said, “Either pay the artist for the work you ask them to do, or don’t make them work at all. Work comes with commitment, and artists give their all emotionally.”

Artists Work Emotionally, Not Mechanically
He explained that singers pour their emotions into a performance, often going beyond the initially agreed-upon work. However, the compensation they receive may not reflect their effort. “You tell them, ‘You will get this much,’ and they agree. While performing, they forget the workload, and the payment eventually feels insufficient. In this way, you are killing an artist,” he added.

The Need for Proper Systems
Arijit advocated for a proper framework, similar to session recording systems, where artists receive credit and payment regardless of whether their final output is used. “Every artist should get their due credit and compensation. We need a guiding system in the music industry,” he said.

A Stellar Career
Arijit made his Bollywood debut in 2011 with Murder 2’s “Phir Mohabbat.” Over the years, he delivered hits like Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Rabta, Kesariya, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. He also lent his voice to Border 2’s “Ghar Kab Aaoge.” On Tuesday, he posted on social media that he would no longer take on new playback singing projects, officially marking the end of his journey as a playback vocalist.