Indian rapper and singer Yo Yo Honey Singh has admitted that drug addiction was the biggest mistake of his career, which caused severe damage till he completely rid his body of the same after an eight-year battle.
“Honey Singh from 15 to 20 years ago was intelligent and dedicated, but he made a huge mistake, and that was drug use. Drugs severely damaged me, and today I tell my younger brothers and sisters to stay away from drugs because they hurt you badly, and you do not even realize it,” he said in a recent interview.
He recalled quitting drugs in 2014 when doctors told him he was sick.
“But even after that, it took me eight years to fully recover. It did not leave my body easily, and I do not want anyone, not even my enemy, to go through what I suffered.”
Honey Singh also revealed that during the peak of his career between 2012 and 2014, he sometimes avoided meeting his parents because he was too busy chasing fame and making money.
“I was touring worldwide and forgot about them. I also maintained distance because I did not want my parents to find out about my addiction,” he explained.
Yo Yo Honey Singh’s career peaked in 2012 before a crushing decline. Following the success of his song ‘Desi Kalakaar’ he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and started using drugs. In 2017, he broke down during a tour.
He gave up music and drugs, returned to Delhi, and started rehabilitation with a global team of doctors and therapists.
“I was drowning in drugs and alcohol, smoking 12 to 15 joints and drinking bottles. I abandoned my family and lost control of myself. Once, I was so intoxicated that I bit a friend eight times on his stomach.”
After his break from work, Honey Singh returned in 2023 with the song ‘Kalaastar’, a sequel to Desi Kalakaar.
He is now preparing for his My Story World Tour to take his music global, scheduled to kick off on February 6, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
He also recently released an album 51 Glorious Days.