INTRODUCTION
Ricky Kej is an Indian composer and environmentalist. He broke the usual norm by winning the Grammys three times before winning an award in his own home country, India. Having begun his career as a mere keyboardist, Kej perfected his talent to become a great force in his musical career.
To date, he has performed at prestigious venues in over 30 countries, including the UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva. In December 2022, Kej was announced as a UNHCR “Goodwill Ambassador”. In this article, we have put together detailed information about Ricky Kej’s s biography, age, height, weight, education, family, parents, siblings, wife, girlfriend, children, salary, Awards, and net worth.
Ricky Kej Biography
Ricky Kej is an Indian three-time Grammy winner music composer and environmentalist born and bred in India. Ricky won his first Grammy award in 2015 for his music album ‘Winds of Samsara’ in the Best New Age Album category. On 3 April 2022, Ricky received his second Grammy Award for his music album ‘Divine Tides’ in the Best New Age Album category. He is also the US Billboard #1 artist. Kej is happily married to his wife Varsha Kej.
10 Quick Facts About Ricky Kej
Here is a list of 10 facts
- Name: Ricky Kej
- Age: 5th August
- Birthday: 5th August
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches or 1.8 meters
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Composer and Environmentalist
- Marital Status: Married
- Salary: Not known
- Net worth: $5 million
Ricky Kej Age
Ricky is 42 years as of 2023. He was born on 5 August 1981, in India. Kej celebrates his birthday on the 5th of August every year. His birth sign is Leo.
Ricky Kej Height
Ricky stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches or 1.8 meters.
Ricky Kej Weight
Ricky is a man of moderate weight. His actual weight and other body measurements will be updated as soon as it becomes available. He has black hair and dark brown eyes.
Ricky Kej Early Life and Education
Kej was born into a middle-class family in India. He is half-Punjabi and half-Marwari ethnicity. His parents are Pammi Kej (mother) and Mr. Kej (father). His mom has remarked that Kej’s artistic genes were inherited from his grandfather Janaki Das, an actor, Olympic cyclist, and freedom fighter.
Kej grew up in Bengaluru where he studied at the Bishop Cottons Boys School and completed his Degree in Dental Surgery at Oxford Dental College. Kej doesn’t depend on his degree in dentistry as an alternate career option, he notes that there are ups and downs in every occupation and there is no real need for a backup career. Ricky has revealed that his decision to follow a career in music was not an easy one for his parents to accept but they later on consented and supported him in his passion.
Ricky Kej Family and Siblings
Kej’s parents Pammi and Kej have great respect and admiration for their son. During an interview, Kej’s father and mother revealed that he was a self-made man. His father stated, ” I have seen him really struggle. He bought a second-hand guitar with his own pocket money and learned it without anyone’s help. I did not give him any money, yet he built his studio. I used to feel sorry for him carrying big instruments while he was a very small boy.”
His mother added, “We did not help him in any way in his pursuit of music. He is a self-made man who started from scratch.” As for his brothers and sisters, nothing is revealed about them. We shall keep you posted as soon as we get any details about them.
Ricky Kej Wife
Ricky is a happily married man. He married Varsha Gowda, daughter of former KAS officer Y K Muddukrishna on 18 March 2014. Before marriage, Kej’s wife Varsha used to work as the assistant VP of an advertising and PR firm.
However, she later quit her full-time job to work with her husband, handling his public relations. Currently, Varsha is also a musician, influenced by her husband. As of 2022, Varsha has worked with Kej on many of his music compositions.
Ricky Kej Children
Kej and Varsha are happily married but they rarely share any details about their children. It is not known if he has any sons or daughters. We shall keep you posted as soon as we get information about his kids.
Ricky Kej Net Worth
Kej has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a music composer and environmentalist. Through his various sources of income, he has accumulated good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Ricky Kej Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Ricky
Ricky Kej Wiki
- Full Names: Ricky Kej
- Popular As: Ricky
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Music composer and environmentalist
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity:
- Religion: Not known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Ricky Kej Birthday
- Age: 42 years
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Date of Birth: 5 August 1981
- Place of Birth: India
- Birthday: August 5th
Ricky Kej Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: 6 feet 2 inches or 1.8 meters.
- Weight: Not known
- Eye Color: Brown
- Hair Color: Black
- Shoe Size: To be Updated
Ricky Kej Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Pammi Kej
- Mother: Mr. Kej
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not known
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse/ Wife: Varsha Gowda
- Children: Not known
Ricky Kej Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Salary: Not known
- Source of Income: His career
Ricky Kej Early Career Experiences
Kej’s career journey dates back to his University days, he joined a rock band which he cites gave him a suitable foundation and exposure to music. Two years into the band, he moved on to become a full-time composer and establish his own studio, Raveolution, in 2003.
Ricky Kej Musician
After successfully setting up his own studio, Kej went on to create music for over 3,000 ad jingles and Kannada films. Though his work is a mixture of multiple genres, he has maintained that the basis of his work retains his Indian roots, largely based on Hindustani classical music and a bit of Carnatic music.
He has remarked Pakistani qawwal Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and British vocalist Peter Gabriel as his role models. Kej is a self-taught musician but studied classical music at around the age of 24 to overcome what he observed as a handicap at the time. Over the years, he has performed at prestigious venues in over 30 countries, including the UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva. Ricky has won over 100 music awards in 20 countries.
Ricky Kej Rise To Fame
Kej pursued his passion without giving up hope. He gained international fame after releasing 17 studio albums, most of which were physically launched in the US. He faced challenges in his own home on account of the poor music-buying culture in India and the dominant presence of the Hindi film-music industry in the country.
His 13th studio album, Shanti Orchestra, was released on 9 July 2013. It peaked at No. 3 in November 2013 on the ZMR Top 100 Radio Airplay Chart. His major breakthrough came after the release of his Grammy-winning album Winds of Samsara on On 14th July 2014.
Ricky Kej Environmentalist
Kej has traveled extensively creating awareness of the importance of conservation and the environment, including a visit to the Republic of Kiribati, where he interviewed and created music with the three-term ex-president, Anote Tong.
Ricky Kej Albums
- Divine Tides (with Stewart Copeland) 2021
- Wild Karnataka 2020 Ricky Kej Records
- Mann Mein Aman 2020 Merchant Records
- My Earth Songs 2020 Universal Music
- Ek 2020 BToS Productions
- Shiva (Ricky Kej LIVE in India 2018 Strumm Entertainment
- Earth Love: Music for Relaxation 2017 Raveolution Studios
- Epic Trailer Music 2017 Raveolution Studios
- Shanti Samsara – World Music for Environmental Consciousness 2015 Zee Music
- Winds of Samsara 2014 Listen 2 Africa
- Ballad of Maya 2013 Ricky Kej Records
- Fiery Drums Volume 2 2013 EMI – Virgin
- Shanti Orchestra 2013 Ricky Kej Records
- Kamasutra Lounge – The Deluxe Edition 2013 Varese Sarabande
- Bollywood in the club 2012 EMI – Virgin
- Punjabi in the club 2012 EMI – Virgin
- Mesmerizing Santoor 2012 EMI – Virgin
- Fiery Drums Volume 1 2011 EMI – Virgin
- Urban Grooves South India 2011 EMI – Virgin
- Mesmerizing Flute 2011 EMI – Virgin
- Kamasutra Lounge 2 2008 Universal Music
- Kamasutra Lounge 2007 Free Spirit Records
- Communicative Art
Ricky Kej Grammy
As of 2023, kej has won the Grammys three times. In 2022, his album Divine Tides won a Grammy at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in the Best New Age Album category. In 2015, he won a Grammy at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for his album “Winds of Samsara” in the Best New Age Album category.
“Divine Tides” won a second Grammy award at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in the Best Immersive Audio Album category, which took place in Los Angeles on 6th February 2023.
Ricky Kej Accomplishments
Kej has indeed proven his mastery on the art of music. This can be proven by the awards he has won and his influence in the music industry not only in his home country but worldwide. His awards comprise the United Nations “Global Humanitarian Artist” award, “Youth Icon of India”, one of the 100 Real Leaders who ‘Inspire the Future’.
The House of Commons, Parliament of Canada awarded Ricky for his “Outstanding Musical and Humanitarian Achievement”. A chapter on his life and musical journey is taught in the 7th-grade English textbooks in India. US Billboard #1 artist, GQ Hero 2020.
Ricky Kej Legacy
Kej is credited with over 4000 placements for radio and television jingles. He has proven again that music is a wonderful choice, no matter where one is born. Ricky’s rhythm of sustainability and unity aspires to heal the world and conserve the environment.
Ricky Kej Personal Values
Ricky quotes that his music is an extension of his personality and beliefs which is why he has left all to put his heart where his treasure is, music. He also says that music is a reflection of himself and that is what defines him.
Ricky Kej Hobbies
When he is not working, Kej has a number of leisure activities he engages in, these activities include:
- Listening to his favorite musician(s): Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Peter Gabriel
- Watching interesting movies from actors like Marlon Brando and actress Eva Green.
- Reading inspiring books such as The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.
- Watching his favorite game Football
- Ricky also loves cooking food and reading books in his leisure time.
Ricky Kej Quotes
Frequently Asked Questions About Ricky Kej
Ricky Kej is an Indian three-time Grammy winner music composer and environmentalist born and bred in India. Ricky won his first Grammy award in 2015 for his music album ‘Winds of Samsara’ in the Best New Age Album category.
Ricky is 42 years as of 2023. He was born on 5 August 1981, in India. Kej celebrates his birthday on the 5th of August every year. His birth sign is Leo.
Ricky stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches or 1.8 meters.
Ricky is a happily married man. He married Varsha Gowda, daughter of former KAS officer Y K Muddukrishna on 18 March 2014. Before marriage, Kej’s wife Varsha used to work as the assistant VP of an advertising and PR firm.
Kej has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a music composer and environmentalist.
Details about Ricky’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much he makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Because of security reasons, Ricky has not disclosed the precise location of his residence. We shall upload the images and address of his house as soon as we get them.
Kej is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Kej is still an active participant in the creative entertainment industry.
Love this music – as you would your own mother.
Sound of the nature, echo of our environment.
Ricky Kej Contacts
Ricky Kej Expert Analysis
New Age CD
Summary
“Epic and dynamic, ‘Divine Tides’ is a musical feast for the soul”
Divine Tides
Summary
“Ricky Kej & Stewart Copeland know how to make borders disappear”
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