Shahin Badar

Shahin Badar
Born 30 June 1974
Colchester, Essex,
England
Origin Gants Hill, Redbridge, London, England
Genres Pop, Electronica, Trance, Hindi, World music, Fusion, Alternative dance, Sufi
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Years active 1996–present
Labels Keda Records, Imprint Records, SB Records
Associated acts The Prodigy
Website www.shahinbadar.com

Shahin Badar (born 30 June 1974) is an English singer and songwriter who is best known in Europe and North America for her vocals on The Prodigy's single Smack My Bitch Up. It earned her a Double Platinum award.

Early life

Badar was born in Colchester, Essex, England to parents from India and Bangladesh, She spent her formative years growing up in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates.

From a young age, Badar showed a natural vocal talent for music. Inspired by her mother, Zohra Ahmed, and encouraged by her teachers, she developed a blend of Arabic and Indian vocals. This genre is reflected in her music today. With a sound that has now become her trademark Shahin sings in English, Arabic, Bengali and Indian languages.

She returned to England to continue her schooling at Gilbert Grammar School. Upon leaving she took up a position in Customs and Excise.

Career

Contributions

Badar's vocal contributions feature in over 50 international film and TV soundtracks. Her vocals have also featured on shows such as the UK Music Hall of Fame, Bollywood films "Yuva" and "Zubeidaa," the theatrical trailer for "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life," "Charlie's Angels," US sitcoms "North Shore" and "Kevin Hill," and Sky News broadcasts.

She has worked with musicians and producers such as A. R. Rahman, Liam Howlett, Tim Deluxe, Fraser T Smith, Indian Ropeman, Jah Wobble, Twista and Juliette Lewis. She supported 50 Cent and worked with director Ang Lee on the film "The Hulk."

Several of Badar's collaborations have charted in the UK Charts top ten singles, Independent, Dance, Radio and Bhangra charts with inclusions on three The Prodigy UK No.1 albums: The Fat of the Land, Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned, and Their Law: The Singles 1990-2005.

Her vocal and written work has featured in adverts for Scottish Widows, Tongues on Fire and Zee Cine Awards.

She has also appeared as a judge for Brit Asia Talent show.

Performances

Badar has headlined various UK festivals, performed live with 50 Cent, and has performed in countries such as Switzerland, Singapore, Sweden, France, Belgium, Norway, Russia, Ireland, India, and at events such as Radio One Live, Creamfields, Oxegen, Glastonbury Festival, Ibiza Rocks, Global Gathering, World of Music, Arts and Dance, Respect Festival, Essentials Festival, and Mystery Land in the Netherlands.

She was the face of Europe's biggest mela, the Bradford International Festival 2002 and headlined the UK's biggest one day carnival, the Luton International Carnival 2000.

Charity work

Badar has launched special events and endorsed charitable causes such as London's first Children's Hospice Week for the Richard House Children's Hospice Trust in Canary Wharf. She was one of the Asian celebrity faces for the NSPCC's Asian Child Helpline in addition to being the Asian celebrity support for the Royal National Institute for Deaf People Don't Stop The Music campaign (for the deaf and hard of hearing).

Achievements

Badar has received recognition of her work from various awarding bodies through short-listings and nominations, in addition to this her performance and written work is also included in projects that have secured major awards(*).

1996

  • "Jind Meriyeh": UK Bhangra Chart No. 4

1997

2005

  • Mukhtar Sahota's album 4 The Muzik: UK Bhangra Chart No. 3. Featuring Badar's vocal performance on "Gal Lagja".

2004

  • BBC Radio 1 Pete Tong: Essential Selection Tune of the Week – "Mundaya"
  • BBC Asian Network: Tune of the Week – "Queen of OPunjab"
  • BBC Asian Network: Tune of The Week – “Yeh Rog”
  • “Mundaya”: Dance Chart top 10

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result
1997 Mercury Music Prize Nomination
1998 Asian Pop and Media Awards Best Female Nomination
1999 Ethnic Multicultural Media Award Best Newcomer Nominated finalist
Asian Women of Achievement Awards Nominated finalist
2000 Asian Pop Awards Best Female vocalist Winner
NetAsia Shortlist nomination
2002 Alhamra Muslim News Award for Excellence Shortlisted finalist
Asian Women of Achievement Awards Arts & Culture Shortlisted finalist
2005 Desi Xpress Artiste of the Week Winner
Asian Achievers Award Shortlist
2006 Nomination
Channel S Community Award Music Category Winner
2007 India International Friendship Society Glory of India award Winner
2010 UK Asian Music Awards Best Female Alternative Act Nomination

Discography

Year Title Format Label
1996 Jind Meriyeh Single
Destiny Album Keda Records
1999 Jouleh Jouleh Single EMI Records
2007 Laila Album Series 8
2009 Laila Remix's Imprint Records
2010 Andheri Raat Single
2011 Leley Mera Dil Keda Records

Collaborations

Year Title Performed by Written by Label
1997 Smack My Bitch Up The Prodigy and Shahin Badar The Prodigy XL Recordings, Maverick Records
1999 66 Meters Indian Ropeman Shahin Badar and Indian Ropeman. Skint Records
2002 Hayati Jah Wobble Shahin Badar 30 Hertz Records
2004 Mundaya (The Boy) Tim Deluxe Shahin Badar and Tim Deluxe Underwater Records
Get Up Get Off The Prodigy Shadin Badar, Twista and Juliette Lewis XL Recordings, Maverick Records, Warner Bros. Records, Sony Music
2010 Take it Noise Control and Shahin Badar N.C. Recordings
Ummah Oum Kaya Project Mariko Music Publishing Ltd

See also

External links