Yo Yo Honey Singh says, “We are artistes, not scholars” on creating socially responsible songs: ‘This is why we make songs like Angrezi Beat’
Yo Yo Honey Singh has expressed his view on artists incorporating social messages into their songs. According to him, audiences care to fight such efforts when artists attempt to deliver a message through their music.
In an interview with India Today, Honey Singh, known for his hit song “Glassy,” stated that artists have no obligation to convey social messages, as they are “artistes, not scholars.” He pointed out that his songs about Shaheed Bhagat Singh in 2008 and women empowerment in 2023 were unsuccessful.
The singer attributed his return to his classic carefree style to the audience’s response. “This is why we make songs like ‘Angrezi Beat,'” he said, recalling his experience with his 2024 album ‘Glory’. He revealed that he initially adopted a more mature approach, saying, “I was acting like a 40-year-old man with a sense of sensibility and responsibility towards my audience. So I decided I was not going to be naughty and funny, but nobody liked it either.”
Honey expressed a preference for maintaining his carefree persona, stating that audiences connect more with the “stupid” artiste. Currently, he is touring 10 cities across India, where he performs his iconic hits and new tracks from his album “Glory” to enthusiastic crowds.
A few months back, Singh expressed support for Diljit Dosanjh amid controversy over song lyrics referencing alcohol. Honey criticized the double standards of states that issue advisories against such lyrics while continuing to profit from liquor sales. He suggested that if states want to ban alcohol references in songs, they should first make India a dry country. Honey humorously proposed adapting his songs, like “Char Bottle Vodka,” to focus on traditional Indian drinks instead.
