Arijit Singh, the voice behind countless Bollywood hits, has never shied away from addressing critical issues within the music industry. While known for his soulful voice and chart-topping songs, Singh has also been a vocal advocate for fair treatment and timely payments for artists. In a candid discussion on The Music Podcast in 2023, the singer articulated the challenges faced by many musicians, bringing the issue of payment discrepancies to the forefront.

Singh highlighted a prevalent problem: artists often don't receive appropriate compensation for their work. He pointed out that discussions and agreements frequently remain verbal, leading to misunderstandings and financial losses for the artists involved. "Ya toh kaam karwao paesa do ya toh kaam mat karwao (pay them for their work or else don't assign them work)," he stated, emphasizing the need for clarity and commitment from producers and production houses.

He elaborated on the typical process, noting that an artist is offered a certain amount for a particular task, often after negotiation. However, in the course of creating good art, the artist often invests more than initially agreed upon, only to receive less than the promised sum. Singh lamented, "So, you're killing an artist," underscoring the detrimental impact of such practices on the morale and livelihoods of musicians.

Singh also expressed his concerns about the absence of a structured system for musicians and singers, particularly concerning session recordings. He recalled a time when artists received payment for scratch recordings, regardless of whether the final version was used. He considered this a fair and decent system that ensured artists were compensated for their time and effort.

Arijit Singh's concerns reflect broader issues within the entertainment industry, where payment delays and disputes are not uncommon. His willingness to speak out on these matters has resonated with many artists who face similar challenges.

Despite these challenges, Arijit Singh has had a very successful career. Singh started his career at 18 and shot to fame with the song "Tum Hi Ho". He has recorded songs in multiple Indian languages and has become one of the highest-paid singers in the country. For film songs, Arijit Singh reportedly charges approximately Rs 8 to 10 lakhs per song. He also earns a significant amount from live performances. Music director Monty Sharma revealed that Arijit Singh charges Rs 2 crore per performance.

Recently, Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing. However, he clarified that he would continue to make music independently and complete existing commitments.