Singer Sonu Nigam recently opened up about the professional low he faced after he spoke about copyright and royalty rights for singers. The singer claimed that major music labels, including T-Series and Zee Music, had stopped working with him after he raised his voice. He also reflected on how the industry has since evolved, as the same companies now pay royalties and are rebuilding ties with him.
Sonu Nigam recalls being banned
While speaking on the Game Changers podcast, Sonu Nigam discussed the highs and lows of his career. He described them as a journey shaped by time and circumstance.
The singer revealed, “My time came, then it passed, and now it has come back again. It’s all a matter of time. When I was at my peak, people gave me so much love. I was releasing albums, people were going crazy for them, and even my posters used to sell. Then I raised the copyright issue. T-Series banned me. Zee Music also stopped working with me. They said, ‘He’s become an activist.'”
He further admitted he never expected his stand to have such far-reaching consequences.
“I never thought I would be banned. I believed we would eventually resolve the issue, but things only kept getting worse. When I saw doors closing for me, I realised that while they could stop giving me songs, they could never stop me from performing on stage,” he added.
Sonu Nigam on how the industry’s approach has changed
Sonu further acknowledged how the industry’s approach has changed significantly over the years. “Today, things have changed. Those very music labels are paying royalties to singers. We now meet with affection, sit together and even share meals. Someone had to bell the cat,” he said.
He went on to describe the copyright movement as a larger calling, stating that he believed that he was carrying forward a battle that late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar had earlier initiated but could not complete.
Sonu shared that he was also prepared to put his career on the line to pursue the issue since he felt someone had to take a stand. The singer added that once the legal framework changed, music companies recognised that his demands had never been unreasonable, and thus paved the way for a renewed relationship within the industry.