When Arijit Singh Called Out Payment Issues In Music Industry: ‘You’re Killing An Artist’

Singer Arijit Singh, who recently announced his decision to step away from playback singing, had earlier spoken candidly about one of the most pressing issues troubling the music industry — fair and timely payments to artists. In a 2023 conversation with The Music Podcast, the singer addressed filmmakers, producers and production houses, urging them to be transparent and ethical when it comes to compensating creative professionals.

During the interaction, Arijit did not mince his words as he highlighted how payment-related discussions in the industry often remain vague and verbal. He stressed that clarity is crucial, saying producers should be upfront — “ya toh kaam karwao paesa do ya toh kaam mat karwao (pay them for their work or else don’t

assign them work).” The singer explained that many artists end up doing far more work than what was originally discussed, simply because of their emotional investment in the creative process. According to Arijit, musicians often cross boundaries because they are deeply in love with their art, only to later realise that their compensation does not reflect the effort they have put in.

‘You’re killing an artist’: Arijit on payment practices in the industry

Elaborating on how these situations unfold, Arijit said that negotiations usually begin with a fixed amount that an artist agrees to after discussion. However, the reality often changes once the work begins.

He explained, “Usko phir bola jaata hai ki tumko itna paisa milega aur tum yeh kaam karo. Woh bhi negotiate karke hota hai, usmein woh maan jaata hai. Maan k jab kaam karta hai toh bhool jaata hai ki usko kitna kaam karna hai uss paese k liye…Phir jo payment aata hai woh usse kam aata hai. So, you’re killing an artist (Then he is told, you’ll receive this amount, and you do this work. That too comes after negotiation; he agrees to it. After agreeing when he works he forgets how much he needs to work for that money…Then the amount he receives is less than what was discussed).”

Arijit also spoke about the lack of a structured system for musicians and singers, stating that the absence of clear guidelines leaves artists vulnerable. He said, “Ek system hona chahiye, musicians our singers k live, jaese pehle hota tha. Jo session recordings hota hai, aap scratch gao, final mein rahe ya na rahe, you get your payment…yeh bohut hi decent a system hai, ki sablog apna kaam karenge aur payment like chase jayenge (There should be a system for musicians and singers, like it used to be before. The session recordings that take place, whether you sing the final version, you get paid…This is a very decent system, that everyone will work and get their payment).”

Calling for reform, Arijit added that the industry needs stronger guidance and accountability. He emphasised that musicians and singers should feel secure, saying “we need a guide in the music system,” and further stressed, “sabka credit hona chahoye, sabko payment milna chahiye (everyone working on the project should get credit, everyone should get payment).”

Arijit Singh’s retirement from playback singing

On Tuesday, Arijit announced that he will no longer take up new assignments as a playback vocalist, describing the chapter as a “wonderful” journey. In his message to fans, he wrote, “Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much of love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not gonna be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.”

Arijit made his Hindi film debut in 2011 with Phir Mohabbat from Murder 2 and went on to deliver some of Bollywood’s most iconic songs, including Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Raabta, Kesariya, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Tera Yaar Hoon Main and Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage. His latest track, Ghar Kab Aaoge from Border 2, continues to resonate deeply with listeners.