Shahin Badar (born 17 June 1974) is a British 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 on 17 June 1974, in Colchester, to a Bangladeshi father and Indian mother. She spent her formative years growing up in Kuwait and the UAE. Shahin Badar
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. She also sings in English, Arabic, Bengali and Hindi.
Badar returned to England to continue her schooling at Gilbert Grammar School. Upon leaving she took up a position in Customs and Excise.
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.
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.
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.
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. Her most notable hit is "Smack My Bitch Up", released in 1997; in 2013, she received a quadruple platinum disc for her contributions.
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 and one of the judges for Miss Universe Great Britain.
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.
She was the face of the Bradford International Festival in 2002 and headlined the Luton International Carnival in 2000.
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 1997 Mercury Music Prize 1998 Asian Pop and Media Awards Best Female 1999 Ethnic Multicultural Media Award Best Newcomer Asian Women of Achievement Awards finalist 2000 Asian Pop Awards Best Female vocalist NetAsia nomination 2002 Alhamra Muslim News Award for Excellence finalist Asian Women of Achievement Awards Arts & Culture finalist 2005 Desi Xpress Artiste of the Week Asian Achievers Award 2006 Channel S Community Award Music Category 2007India International Friendship Society Glory of India award 2010 UK Asian Music Awards Best Female Alternative Act
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" Indian Ropeman featuring Shahin Badar Indian Ropeman & Shahin Badar Skint Records 2002 "Hayati" Jah Wobble featuring Shahin Badar Count Dubulah, Jah Wobble, Neil Sparkes & Shahin Badar 30 Hertz Records 2004 "Mundaya" (The Boy) Tim Deluxe featuring Shahin Badar Tim Deluxe & Shahin Badar Underwater Records "Get Up Get Off" The Prodigy Liam Howlett, Shadin Badar, Twista and Juliette Lewis XL Recordings, Maverick Records, Warner Bros. Records, Sony Music 2010 "Take It" Noise Control featuring Shahin Badar N.C. Recordings "Ummah Oum" Kaya Project featuring Shahin Badar Sebastian Taylor & Shahin Badar Mariko Music Publishing Ltd 2012 "Happiness" Supafly featuring Shahin Badar Supafly X-Energy Records 2020 "Sapphire" Dee Montero featuring Shahin Badar Dee Montero Futurescope
See also British Bangladeshi List of British Bangladeshis
References
External links
Shahin Badar on BritBangla Exclusive Shahin Badar interview. . DESIblitz. 30 July 2009 McConnell, Jane. . Manchester Gossip Shahin Badar Interview. Female First. 4 May 2010 Kabir, Punny. In conversation with Shahin Badar. Dhaka Tribune. 27 October 2014