Trailblazer: Arijit Singh becomes the most-followed artisit on spotify

Arijit Singh is the most followed artist on Spotify in the world! With over 152 million followers, he has surpassed Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, BTS, and Drake.

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The headline is staggering; but for millions of us, it’s obvious. Arijit’s music is a part of life. From autorickshaws and wedding speakers to hostel corridors and empty bedrooms; it’s just always been there.

Arijit grew up in Jiaganj, West Bengal, in a family steeped in classical music, ghazals, and Rabindra Sangeet. In 2005, he appeared on the reality show Fame Gurukul. He didn’t win; but what followed was better.

He spent the next few years working behind the scenes as a music programmer for composers like Pritam and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, learning to produce, arrange, program tracks and absorbed the architecture of sound long before he stepped in the booth.

His first major commercial release, “Phir Mohabbat” (2011), was a whisper of what was to come. Then, in 2013, came “Tum Hi Ho”, resetting Bollywood’s romantic landscape.

But Arijit’s ascent never felt like a spectacle. There was no rebrand, no campaign, no choreographed narrative. “Channa Mereya,” “Raabta,” “Agar Tum Saath Ho,” “Laal Ishq,” “Kesariya”- with each song he became the sound of first love, heartbreak, nostalgia, loneliness.

And he did it all while staying mostly invisible. He doesn’t post much, his interviews are few, his endorsements are rare; but that has only deepened his connection with his listeners.

His independent work reflects the same restraint. In 2020, he launched Oriyon Music, releasing a series of Hindi and Bengali songs. In 2021, he composed the music for Pagglait.

In April 2025, he released ‘Weightless’ with Martin Garrix, followed by ‘Sapphire,’ with Ed Sheeran in June, debuting in the UK Top 10. Sheeran later revealed he discovered Arijit by Shazaming “Tum Hi Ho” on a fan playlist.

Later this year, Arijit will become the first Indian artist to headline a UK stadium at Tottenham Hotspur. 60,000 people. The show is already sold out!

And somehow he’s still what he always was: a translator of feelings we can’t name.

Arijit Singh on Fame Gurukul
Sony TV (2005)

In 2005, 18-year-old Arijit Singh began his musical journey on Fame Gurukul, impressing judges like Javed Akhtar and Shankar Mahadevan with his classical training. Though he finished 6th, the show caught the eye of top composers, setting Arijit on a path from reality TV contestant to Bollywood icon.

Phir Mohabbat
Murder 2, 2011

Arijit’s debut in Hindi cinema, from Mithoon’s intense romantic thriller. Though recorded in 2009, it released in 2011. His emotive rendition showcased his ability to convey deep longing, setting the tone for his future as a baritone romance specialist and catching attention in the industry.

Tum Hi Ho
Aashiqui 2, 2013

This breakaway film ballad became a cultural phenomenon. Mithoon’s melancholic melody combined with Arijit’s soulful delivery instantly resonated across India. It garnered countless awards (including his first Filmfare), propelled the soundtrack to the top, and made Arijit a household name.

Laal Ishq
Live in LA; Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, 2013

A semi-classical Sufi composition by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Here, Arijit flexed his classical foundation and vocal control, turning in a performance praised for its devotional depth and reinforcing his reputation as a versatile singer.

Muskurane Ki Wajah Tum Ho
CityLights, 2014

One of his early staples, this tender romantic melody showcased his gentle, expressive tone. It helped solidify his role as Bollywood's voice of heartfelt intimacy and featured his signature restraint and emotional nuance.

Agar Tum Saath Ho
Live at Global Indian Music Academy Awards 2016; Tamasha, 2015

A duet with Alka Yagnik, backed by A.R. Rahman’s poignant arrangement. This track highlighted Arijit’s capacity for emotional restraint, complementing on-screen heartbreak with a subtle, aching delivery, further establishing his standing as a dramatic vocalist.

Gerua
Dilwale, 2015

A romantic duet with Antara Mitra, backed by Shaarukh–Kajol's nostalgic onscreen chemistry. This song became a streaming hit, reinforcing his association with Bollywood’s most iconic romantic pairs.

Nashe Si Chadh Gayi
Befikre, 2016

An energetic, upbeat club tune, his first mainstream dance hit. It showcased his ability to pivot from sobering ballads to celebratory numbers, adding versatility to his repertoire.

Channa Mereya
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, 2016

A Sufi-laced lament drenched in longing and loss. Composed by Pritam, the song reached over 110 million YouTube views quickly and became an anthem for heartbreak. Arijit’s emotionally raw rendition intensified his reputation for expressive storytelling.

Soch Na Sake
Airlift, 2016

A romantic track balancing gentle longing with hope. Composed by Amaal Mallik, it portrayed a softer, more optimistic side of Arijit—diversifying his image beyond heartbreak ballads.

Naina
Dangal, 2016

A sorrow-filled melody capturing the weight of regret. Arijit’s nuanced and controlled vocal earned praise in reviews, cementing his mastery of intimate emotional textures.

Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga
Half Girlfriend, 2017

A long-form melody of loyalty and unrequited love. His gradually building vocal intensity turned it into a streaming powerhouse and a fan favorite cameo in the franchise of romantic anthems.

Zaalima
Raees, 2017

A sultry track capturing modern romance’s flirtatious charm. Arijit’s vocal warmth and phrasing contributed to its popularity, boosting his name across contemporary chartbusters.

Roke Na Ruke Naina
Badrinath Ki Dulhania, 2017

A deeply emotional breakup ballad. His poignant and nuanced delivery earned him a Filmfare award, reinforcing his authority in romantic lament.

Weightless
Martin Garrix & Arijit Singh (2025)

A restrained, atmospheric collaboration that builds on the success of their earlier work. Arijit Singh’s Hindi vocals are woven into Martin Garrix’s sparse, textured production. The music video, set against the backdrop of the Janmashtami human pyramid, adds a layer of cultural weight to a track already defined by its sense of gravity and emotional control.

Sapphire
Arijit Singh and Sapphire (2025)

An English-Punjabi pop fusion. It debuted at #9 in the UK and merges Western acoustic with Indian instrumentation. Ed Sheeran noted Arijit was the “final jigsaw” to complete the song, and SRK even appears in the music video, cementing it as a high-profile East-West cultural landmark.