We miss you KK: From getting his Bollywood break with Tadap Tadap to performing live for millions, a look back at the soulful singer's musical life

KK sang more than 500 Hindi songs and more than 200 Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam songs throughout the course of his nearly three-decade career.

KK/Instagram

Krishnakumar Kunnath, also known as KK, was a singer and songwriter who died on May 31 at the age of 53. His fans will remember him for decades because of his raucous yet mellifluous voice. The multifaceted singer was a vital part of most '90s kids' lives, as his music helped many of them get through various aspects of life, including heartbreaks and the mundane everyday hustles. His melodic voice and passion for love songs struck a chord with the public, elevating him beyond all of Bollywood's brilliant vocalists.

KK never shied away from singing in languages he was unfamiliar with, such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati, despite being a Malayali by origin and having never received any official music training. Another reason why the singer's followers may be found all across the country is because of this.

He was born in New Delhi on August 23, 1968, to C. S. Menon and Kunnath Kanakavalli. He went to Mount St. Mary's School in Delhi. Following graduation, KK worked briefly as a marketing associate in the hotel industry before relocating to Mumbai to pursue a career in music.

As per ANI, singer Kishore Kumar and music director R.D. Burman had a big influence on him. Some of his favourite foreign singers and bands included Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, and Led Zeppelin.

In 1994, he took a gamble and sent Louis Banks, Ranjit Barot, and Leslie Lewis a demo tape. After a few years of working on jingles, he made his debut as a playback vocalist with A R Rahman's hit song Kalluri Saaley and Hello Dr. from Kadir's Kadhal Desam followed by Strawberry Kannae from the musical film Minsara Kanavu.

Finally, with Tadap Tadap from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam he made his Bollywood playback singing debut in 1999. Before this, he had performed a little bit of Gulzar's Maachis song, Chhod Aaye Hum.

The media agency further stated that in the same year, he released Pal his debut solo album, which was composed by Leslie Lewis. Every '90s youngster remembers KK for the album's title tune, Pal, as well as Yaaron, which gave most school students friendship dreams. His voice made an emotional connection with listeners that left them wanting more. These songs are being performed at school and office farewells today.

KK was also included in the Josh of India song, which was written to promote the Indian cricket team during the 1999 Cricket World Cup.

He then sang Jab Bhi Koi Haseena for the film Hera Pheri and by 2001, KK had sung songs for Farz like Jhanak Jhanak Baaje, Mil Jaye Khazana for Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar, and Aks like Aaja Gufaon Mein. He sang Dola Re Dola and Maar Daala for the film Devdas the next year, as well as Bardaasht for Abbas Mastan's Humraaz.

Over the next few years, KK continued to give big Bollywood songs in a variety of films, and in 2008, KK released his second album, Humsafar, which included the song Raina Bhai Kaari which was a mix of Bengali Baul and rock with a hint of S D Burman. KK also performed Cineraria, an English rock ballad.

He sang songs like Zindagi Do Pal Ki and Dil Kyun Yeh Mera for the film Kites in 2010. Rise Up-Colors of Peace an international album featuring songs written by Turkish poet Fetullah Gulen and sung by performers from 12 nations, was released in 2013. For the album, he recorded a song called Rose of My Heart.

KK sang more than 500 Hindi songs and more than 200 Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam songs throughout the course of his nearly three-decade career. He'd also won a slew of awards, including two Screen Awards for Best Male Playback Singer (Non-Film Music) and a slew of others.

In 1991, KK married Jyothy Krishna, his childhood sweetheart, and the couple had two daughters, Nakul and Taamara.

His voice simply went hand-in-hand with excellent music of all types, and he was a musician who wasn't branded by any single genre or style. KK sang energetic dance songs as well as corny love ballads, and it was because of this that he became a singer for all ages who will be remembered by his millions of fans across the world. He was a vocalist who sang and performed to the end of his life.

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