New Delhi: Rapper and music producer Yo Yo Honey Singh has issued a public apology after a remark he made during a recent concert in the capital sparked widespread criticism on social media.
The controversy began when a short video from the live show circulated online, capturing Singh making a joke about dealing with cold weather by engaging in sexual activity inside cars. Many viewers found the comment distasteful, with critics saying it crossed the line and was unsuitable for a public performance attended by a young and mixed-age audience.
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As the backlash grew, Singh addressed the issue through a video message shared on Instagram. In the clip, he expressed regret over the way his words were received and acknowledged that the comment had upset many people. He said offending anyone was never his intention.
Offering context, the singer explained that days before the concert he had attended a lunch meeting with gynaecologists and sexologists. According to Singh, the doctors spoke at length about rising cases of sexually transmitted infections among young people, often linked to unsafe sexual behaviour.
Singh said that when he noticed a predominantly Gen Z crowd at the concert, the discussion with the medical professionals came back to him. He claimed he wanted to highlight the importance of safe sex and personal responsibility, and attempted to frame the message in a casual, relatable way that he believed would connect with younger fans.
However, he conceded that his attempt backfired. “The way I said it and the words I used were not appropriate,” Singh admitted, adding that the message was overshadowed by the manner in which it was delivered.
Emphasising that mistakes are part of being human, Singh said he had learned from the incident. He assured fans and critics alike that he would be more careful in the future, particularly given how quickly clips can spread online and be interpreted without context.
“I never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings,” he said, promising to exercise greater restraint and sensitivity in his public remarks going forward.
