K, hat ke. Sounds Bollywood? “Describe me thus,” says Krishna Kumar Kunnath, popularly known as KK. In spite of being one of the country’s best singers and now composer, the ad world sure has left its slogans with him.

Remember the voice behind all those jingles! 3,500 of them and in 12 languages? If this is what you call versatility with a personality, then it’s all KK. Musically speaking, he is a cut from the Bollywood’s run-of-the-mill...
In Bangalore recently, KK spoke on his new album Humsafar which comes after a sabbath of eight years. “I wanted to experiment and go beyond singing to other’s tunes.” That he has done it successfully would be a cliche. For a singer with no formal training in music, composing is not touch and go.

But KK says, “turning into a composer was no great challenge because I was born with a musical mind. Over the years, I’ve evolved. And I don’t regret having no classical training. Look at Kishore Kumar, R D Burman for instance,’’ he says.

From his days in Delhi performing with his band, moving to Mumbai, getting into the mad ad world and becoming one of the most sought-after artistes, looks like a long road. KK says, “I haven’t gone into an introspection. I was not too happy with my work in Delhi. But my wife Jyoti, who has been my constant support system, thought I was stagnating. I thought so too and quit my job. When I came to Mumbai, I hadn’t planned anything, I still don’t. But there were no bad shocks.The first three months were difficult.”

Then came the jingles and  Pal  and since then he has not gone down the charts. “I am not a go-getter. After my work is done, I am happy going back to my cocoon, which is my home,” he smiles.

Many playback songs and volatile concerts later, KK’s unique style has now come out in a new form with ‘Humsafar’. Wasn’t it a challenge after the success of Pal? “Pal was the base. I developed on it. Did the Eagles do Hotel California again’? he asks. His natural ease comes out in his compositions. Especially, the Rain Bhai Kaari which is soulful, to say the least. The track Humsafar  deserves more than a ear for interplaying English and Hindi lyrics. The soft rock ballad Yeh Kahaan is dedicated to my wife and best friend Jyoti, who has been my inspiration in completing the album,” he says with pride.

“There were many music directors whom I could gel with and there are those lyrics I couldn’t connect to. I tell them, ‘Boss, I’m not cut out for this song.” On Leslie Lewis, he says, “he was my first angel. He was instrumental in me getting Pal. He gave me a direction, rather put me on a bus. Now he has to help others as well. ” One sees sparks of his earliest influences Sting, Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, R D Burman, in his music. Always the frontman in his band, he plays the drums as well. “Any acrobatics with sticks, ‘no,no such gimmicks,’’  he laughs.

 His philosophy in life reflects in his music as well, “music comes from the soul. It has nothing to do with technicalities. It gives me a high. It’s important for each person to focus on a passion so that you don’t have to depend on other substances. Anyway I was never a party person and none of my band members are into any substance abuse.”

KK has in his kitty such unforgettable numbers like Gulzar’s Chod Aaye Hum Woh Galliyan, Banda Ye Bindaas Hai, Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe, Chale Jaise Hawa, Tadap Tadap, Aashayein, etc and the popular number It’s The Time To Disco.

Humsafar released by Sony BMG is an ensemble of Hindi and English ballads, emotions and instruments.