Shabbir Kumar is an established Indian playback singer who dominated the Bollywood playback singing field during the 1980s. The stage show Ek Shaam Rafi Ke Naam, a tribute to Mohammed Rafi was the starting point of his career. After the death of Mohammad Rafi, a void came about in the music industry. With the presence of Anwar, Mohammed Aziz and Shabbir Kumar, the attempt to satiate the void, was to some extent victorious.

It was music director Usha Khanna who gave him an opportunity to sing in the film Tajurba (released in the year1981). But Shabbir got his lifetime opportunity when he was spotted by director Manmohan Desai who was intensely looking for a Rafi substitute. Under the music direction of Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Shabbir recorded a few songs for the film Coolie, which was released in 1983. But his first released song was for the movie `Main Intequam Loonga`, with Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Some famous songs sung by him are- Jab Hum Jawan Honge from the film Betaab (released in the year1983), composed by Rahul Dev Burman (duet with Lata Mangeshkar); Tumse Milkar Naa Jaane Kyon from the film Pyaar Jhukata Naheen (released in the year 1985), composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Jeet Jayenge Hum from the film Meri Jung (released in the year 1985), composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Naa Maange Sona Chandi (parody) from the film Mr. India (released in the year 1987), composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Gori Hai Kalaiyan from the film Aaj Ka Arjun (released in the year 1990); Sochna Kya from the film Ghayal (released in the year 1990); Zeehal-e-Musqeen from the film `Ghulami`; Pyar kiya nahi jaata from the film `Woh Saat Din`; Saari duniya ka bojh from the film `Coolie`.

Raat Hai Kuch Khoyi Khoyi-a duet that he sang along with Lata Mangeshkar from the film Prem Tapasya (1983), was declared a superhit. Then, under the music direction of Anu Malik he sang for Rajeev Kapoor in Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983). With the release of the film `Betaab`, Shabbir Kumar became hugely popular. He sang five songs for Sunny Deol. He has worked with famous music directors like, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Rahul Dev Burman, Kalyanji-Anandji, Rajesh Roshan, Usha Khanna, Bappi Lahiri, Anu Malik, Ravindra Jain, Raam-Laxman, Nadeem Shravan,Uttam Singh and also for Ismail Darbar and A.R. Rahman.

Shabbir Kumar has lend his voice for illustrious actors like, Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachhan,Dharmendra, Jackie Shroff, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Raj Babbar, Govinda, Chunky Pandey, Sanjay Dutt, Kumar Gaurav, Kamal Hassan, Rajnikant, Anil kapoor, Rajeev kapoor and Sunil Shetty. His last hit songs were Gori Hai Kalaiyan from Aaj Ka Arjun (released in 1990) and Sochna Kya from Ghayal (released in 1990). Shabbir then started to take centrestage on stage shows. He sang for a few films in 2000 like- Ghaath (released in 2000), Awara Paagal Deewana (released in 2002), and Aan: Men at Work (released in 2004).