Cinema VinesIndian playback legend Sonu Nigam has opened up about a controversial chapter in his career, revealing how he was effectively black‑listed by two of the country’s biggest music labels after he spoke out on singers’ copyright and royalty rights. In a recent interview with Komal Nahta on the “Game Changers” podcast, Nigam recounted that his career was at its peak – albums were selling, posters were flying off the shelves – until he raised the issue of artists’ compensation. T‑Series, the industry giant, “banned” him, and Zee Music also stopped working with him, citing that he had become an activist.
“I never thought I would be banned. I believed we would eventually resolve the issue, but things only kept getting worse,” Nigam said. He added that while the labels could refuse to provide him with new songs, they could not stop him from performing live. The singer noted that the situation has since changed, with the same companies now paying royalties to singers and welcoming him back into the fold. “Today, things have changed. Those very music labels are paying royalties to singers. We now meet with affection, sit together and even share meals,” he said, hinting that the industry has shifted its stance after legal reforms.
According to Nigam, his stand on copyright was part of a larger purpose in his life. He believes he was given a responsibility by God to continue the legacy started by Lata Mangeshkar, a mission he was willing to risk his career for. He said that once the laws changed, the music companies realised his demands were not unreasonable, leading them to re‑engage with him. The singer now shares a warm relationship with the labels that once barred him.
Looking ahead, Nigam is preparing for a major concert titled Revolution at OVO Arena Wembley on 23 August 2026. The event will be part of his Revolution India Tour 2026, which is slated to begin in October 2026 and will include shows in Bengaluru, Pune, Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Nagpur, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Jodhpur, before concluding in March 2027.
