The slew of bad news has been knocking on our doors since the year 2022 has started. We were trying to get over the demise of singing legend Lata Mangeshkar when the news of Bappi Lahiri broke our hearts. The king of Disco and one of the singing and composing legends of the industry, Bappi Lahiri took his last breath on 16 February, at the age of 69 in Mumbai’s Criticare Hospital. Bappi Da died due to Obstructive Sleep Apnea and chest infection. His sudden death has left a void in the hearts of music fans all over the world. Remembering the legend, here we bring you the top 10 unknown facts about the king of Disco, Bappi Lahiri:
1. Bappi Lahiri discovered his inner musician at a very young age. He started playing Tabla when he was just 3 years old and then went on to master the art.
2. Today, the name of Bappi Lahiri comes in one of the most renowned and celebrated musicians of the nation, but you will be surprised to know Bappi was not his real name. He was born as Alokesh Lahiri.
3. Bappi Lahiri garnered fame and success in his career and he is often seen crediting Kishore Kumar for it. As Kishore Kumar is the maternal uncle of the late singing legend.
4. Being a nice mama, Kishore not just guided him but also helped him enter the industry. In 1974, Bappi Lahiri made his debut in the movies in Kishore Kumar's directorial Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi.
5. Bappi Lahiri still holds the Guinness Book of World records, for recording 180 songs for 33 different movies in the year golden year of 1986.
6. Lahiri sang many songs but for his own composition up until 2006, when he broke his pact and gave his a voice for a composition of Vishal-Shekhar for song Taxi No 9211’s song Bambai Nagariya.
8. Bappi Lahiri joined Bhartiya Janata Party in 2014. He contested from the Lok Sabha seat of Srerampur but lost to Kalyan Banerjee of the All India Trinamool Congress.
9. In a landmark copyright case, Bappi Da sued American rapper, Dr. Dre, after he copied the tune of ‘Kaliyon Ka Chaman’ for his album Addictive. Later, Dr Dre credited Bappi Lahiri on the album. The Disco Dancer composer told Hindustan Times in 2009, “Dr Dre used my song Kaliyon ka Chaman in his album Addictive, for which I sued him. But he gave credits afterward, so it’s okay and I am happy.”
10. Bappi Da’s last composition was released in September 2021. The composer made music for devotional song Ganpati Bappa Morya and shared it on his social media handles. The track was sung by Anuradha Juju.
