Shahin Badar

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For the Iranian musicians, see Shahin & Sepehr.
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Shahin Badar
Born 1974 (age 37–38)
Colchester, United Kingdom
Origin London Borough of Redbridge
Genres Pop, Electronica, Hindi, Fusion, Alternative dance
Occupations Singer, songwriter
Years active 1996-present
Labels Keda Records
Imprint Records
SB Records
Associated acts The Prodigy
Website Official website

Shahin Badar (born 1974) is a 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.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Born in Colchester, England to parents from Bangladesh, Shahin Badar spent her formative years growing up in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates.

From a tender age, she showed a natural vocal talent for music. Inspired by her mother and encouraged by her teachers, she developed a powerful 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 respectable position in Customs and Excise.

[edit] Accomplishments

[edit] Contributions

Her vocal contributions feature in over 50 international film and TV soundtracks. Her vocals have also featured on showing 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.

Badar has worked with musicians and producers such as A. R. Rahman, Liam Howlett, Tim Deluxe, Fraser T. Smith, Indian Ropeman, Jah Wobble, Twista and Juliet 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.

Badar's vocal and written work has featured in adverts for Scottish Widows, Tongues on Fire and ZEE Cine Awards.

[edit] Performance

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 Holland.

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.

[edit] Charity work

Badar has launched special events and endorsed charitable causes such as London's first Children's Hospice Week for the Richard House 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 RNID Don't Stop The Music campaign (for the deaf and hard of hearing).

[edit] Awards and nominations

Shahin 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

1998

  • Asian Pop and Media Awards: Best Female nomination

1999

2000

  • Asian Pop Awards: Best Female vocalist
  • NetAsia: Shortlist nomination

2002

  • Alhamra Muslim News Award for Excellence: Short-listed finalist
  • Asian Women Of Achievement Awards Arts & Culture: Short-listed finalist

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

2005

  • Desi Xpress: Artiste of the Week
  • Asian Achievers Award - Shortlist
  • 4 The Muzik: UK Bhangra chart No. 3 "Gal Lagja" (vocal performance)

2006

  • Asian Achievers Award - Nomination
  • Channel S Community Award - Music Category

2007

2010

[edit] Discography

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

[2]

2010-Single 'Take it' with Irish Electronica band Noise Control

        - Single 'Oummah Oum' (Kaya project)
          -Judge for Brit Asia Talent show

[edit] Collaborations

Title Year Performed by Written by Label
Smack My Bitch Up 1997 The Prodigy and Shahin Badar The Prodigy XL Recordings, Maverick Records
66 Meters 1999 Indian Ropeman Shahin Badar and Indian Ropeman. Skint Records
Hayati 2002 Jah Wobble Shahin Badar 30 Hertz Records
Mundaya (The Boy) 2004 Tim Deluxe Shahin Badar and Tim Deluxe Underwater Records
Get Up Get Off 2004 The Prodigy Shadin Badar, Twista and Juliette Lewis XL Recordings, Maverick Records, Warner Bros. Records, Sony Music

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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