Sonu Nigam on meeting Jermaine Jackson after Michael's death
Synopsis
Sonu Nigam's chance encounter with Jermaine Jackson in the US — shortly after Michael Jackson's death — led to a tribute song and a spellbinding IIFA performance together. In a candid podcast appearance, Nigam also revealed unheralded collaborations with Britney Spears, Avicii, and Polish singer Natalia, painting the picture of an Indian artist who quietly built a global musical footprint.
Key Takeaways
Sonu Nigam met Jermaine Jackson by chance in the United States shortly after Michael Jackson's death.
Nigam had composed a tribute song for Michael while grieving; he later performed it with Jermaine Jackson at IIFA .
Nigam also collaborated with Britney Spears , Swedish DJ Avicii , and Polish singer Natalia during his international stints.
He has recorded over 6,000 songs in 32 languages across a career spanning roughly three decades .
Nigam was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022 .
Veteran Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam has revealed that his encounter with Jermaine Jackson was entirely unplanned — a chance meeting in the United States that took place in the emotional aftermath of Michael Jackson's death. The disclosure came during Nigam's appearance on Komal Nahta's podcast 'Game Changers: The Music Series', where he reflected on a career that has taken him well beyond India's borders.
The Chance Encounter With Jermaine Jackson
'I met Jermaine Jackson by chance in America. It was the time after Michael Jackson had passed away, and I had composed a song on him while crying. Till date, people love that song,' Nigam recalled. He added that the composition eventually led to a live performance alongside Jermaine Jackson himself. 'I got an opportunity to play that song with Jermaine. We sang it at IIFA as well. If you see the video, you'll see people were spellbound,' he said.
A Catalogue of Global Collaborations
The podcast appearance also gave Nigam a platform to revisit other landmark international tie-ups. He disclosed that he had recorded a track for a Britney Spears album and noted that Spears had followed him on Twitter before he chose to leave the platform. He also mentioned a collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii and a 'very good song' with Polish singer Natalia. 'If I would've lived there, I could get more opportunities, but staying in India, having got these many chances is enough,' Nigam said.
A Career Spanning Three Decades and 32 Languages
Nigam's international work sits atop a formidable domestic body of work. Over a career of roughly three decades, he has recorded more than 6,000 songs in 32 languages. Some of his most enduring tracks include 'Sandese Aate Hain' from Border (1997), 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' (2003), 'Suraj Hua Maddham' from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), and 'Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin' from Agneepath (2012).
Recognition and Legacy
The Government of India honoured Nigam with the Padma Shri in 2022, one of the country's highest civilian distinctions. His candid podcast conversation underscores a broader point: that Indian artists have long been forging global musical connections, even if those stories rarely surface in mainstream coverage. Nigam's account of the IIFA performance with Jermaine is a reminder of how grief — and music — can cross cultural divides without a formal introduction.
Point of View
Let alone celebrated. What is striking is the modesty: Nigam frames these global collaborations as fortunate accidents rather than strategic moves, which may explain why they have stayed under the radar for so long. The real story here is not just the celebrity encounter, but the consistency with which Indian artists have been building international bridges that mainstream music discourse still largely ignores.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sonu Nigam meet Jermaine Jackson?
Sonu Nigam met Jermaine Jackson by chance during a visit to the United States shortly after Michael Jackson's death. The encounter was unplanned, but it eventually led to a live performance of a tribute song Nigam had composed for Michael, which they sang together at IIFA.
What song did Sonu Nigam perform with Jermaine Jackson?
Nigam performed a tribute song he had composed for Michael Jackson after the pop legend's death. He has said the song moved audiences at IIFA, with viewers 'spellbound' according to his own account on the podcast 'Game Changers: The Music Series'.
Which international artists has Sonu Nigam collaborated with?
Sonu Nigam has worked with Britney Spears — recording a track for one of her albums — as well as Swedish DJ Avicii and Polish singer Natalia, in addition to his collaboration with Jermaine Jackson.
What awards has Sonu Nigam received?
Sonu Nigam was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2022, one of the country's highest civilian honours, recognising his contributions to Indian music over three decades.
How many songs has Sonu Nigam recorded?
Sonu Nigam has recorded more than 6,000 songs in 32 languages over a career spanning approximately three decades, making him one of the most prolific playback singers in India.
