Shahin Badar

Shahin Badar
Born (1974-06-17) 17 June 1974 (age 50)
Colchester, Essex, England
OriginGants Hill, Ilford, Redbridge, London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active1996–present
Labels
  • Keda
  • Series 8
  • Imprint
  • SB

Shahin Badar (born 17 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" (1997), which went platinum.

Early life

Badar was born in Colchester, Essex, England to a Bangladeshi father and Indian mother. She spent her formative years growing up in Kuwait and the UAE.[1]

Inspired by her mother, Zohra Ahmed, who is a classical singer and encouraged by her teachers, Badar developed a blend of Arabic and Indian vocals.[2] She sings in English, Arabic, Bengali and Indian languages.[1]

Badar returned to England to continue her schooling at Gilbert Grammar School. Upon leaving she took up a position in Customs and Excise.[1]

Career

Recording

In 1996, Badar's first album Destiny was released, produced by British music producer Kuljit Bhamra. In 2010, her second album Laila was released.[2][3]

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, Scary Movie 2, Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Closer, US sitcoms North Shore and Kevin Hill, and Sky News broadcasts.[1][2][4][5][6][7]

She has worked with musicians and producers such as A. R. Rahman, Liam Howlett, Tim Deluxe, Fraser T Smith, Indian Ropeman, Jah Wobble, Twista, Juliette Lewis, Bobina. She supported 50 Cent and worked with director Ang Lee on the film The Hulk.[2][6][7][8]

Several of Badar's collaborations have charted on the UK top ten singles, Independent, Dance, Radio and Bhangra charts with inclusions on three Prodigy UK No. 1 albums: The Fat of the Land, Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned, and Their Law: The Singles 1990-2005.[8] Her most notable hit is "Smack My Bitch Up", released in 1997;[2] in 2013,[7] she received a quadruple platinum disc for her contributions.[5]

Her vocal and written work has featured in adverts for Scottish Widows, Tongues on Fire and Zee Cine Awards.[4]

She has also appeared as a judge for Brit Asia Talent show and one of the judges for Miss Universe Great Britain.[4]

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 (WOMAD), Respect Festival, Essentials Festival, and Mystery Land in the Netherlands.[4]

She was the face of the Bradford International Festival in 2002 and headlined the Luton International Carnival in 2000.[4]

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

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 Nominated
1998 Asian Pop and Media Awards Best Female Nominated
1999 Ethnic Multicultural Media Award Best Newcomer Nominated
Asian Women of Achievement Awards Nominated finalist
2000 Asian Pop Awards Best Female vocalist Won
NetAsia Shortlisted 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 Won
Asian Achievers Award Shortlisted
2006 Nominated
Channel S Community Award Music Category Won
2007 India International Friendship Society Glory of India award Won
2010 UK Asian Music Awards Best Female Alternative Act Nominated

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart position
Destiny
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Keda Records
  • Formats: CD
Laila
  • Released: 5 October 2008
  • Label: Series 8
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Laila Remix's
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Imprint Records
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Singles

Year Single Chart position Label
1996 "Jind Meriyeh" UK Bhangra chart No. 4
1999 "Jouleh Jouleh" EMI
2010 "Andheri Raat" Imprint Records
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 (Alaap chant vocalled by Shahin Badar XL Recordings, Maverick Records
1999 "66 Meters" 66 Meters 
 Indian Ropeman & Shahin Badar

Skint Records
2002 "Hayati" Jah Wobble Featuring | Shahin Badar 30 Hertz Records
2004 "Mundaya" (The Boy) Tim Deluxe Featuring Shahin Badar 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" featuring Shahin Badar Kaya Project Mariko Music Publishing Ltd Happiness 
Supafly
Featuring Shahin Badar
2020 "Sapphire" featuring Shahin Badar Dee Montero Dee Montero Futurescope

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "British Bengali Success Stories". BritBangla. Archived from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2011. Shahin Badar
  2. ^ a b c d e Indi (30 July 2009). "Exclusive Shahin Badar interview". DESIblitz. Archived from the original on 18 January 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  3. ^ "Shahin Badar's long awaited album Laila due for release". Manchester Evening News. Manchester. 19 April 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Shahin Badar Interview". Female First. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  5. ^ a b Kabir, Punny (27 October 2014). "In conversation with Shahin Badar". Dhaka Tribune. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  6. ^ a b McConnell, Jane (30 July 2009). "Exclusive Shahin Badar interview". Manchester: Manchester Gossip. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Orrell, Harriet (28 August 2014). "Prodigy singer Shanin Badar releases new single with Russian trance DJ". Ilford: Ilford Recorder. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  8. ^ a b Karim, Mohammed Abdul; Karim, Shahadoth (October 2010). British Bangladeshi Who's Who (PDF). British Bangla Media Group. p. 33. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.