| Shahin Badar | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Native Name Lang: | bn |
| Birth Date: | 17 June 1974 |
| Birth Place: | Colchester, Essex, England |
| Origin: | Gants Hill, Ilford, Redbridge, London, England |
| Occupation: | singer, songwriter |
| Instrument: | Vocals |
| Years Active: | 1996–present |
| Associated Acts: | The Prodigy |
Shahin Badar (born 17 June 1974) is an English singer-songwriter who is best known in Europe and North America for her vocals on The Prodigy's single "Smack My Bitch Up" (1997). It earned her a Double Platinum award.
Badar was born in Colchester, Essex, England to a Bangladeshi father and Indian mother. She spent her formative years growing up in Kuwait and United Arab Emirates.[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]
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 , 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 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 .[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]
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]
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
1997
2005
2004
| 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 | |||
| 2007 | India International Friendship Society | Glory of India award | ||
| 2010 | UK Asian Music Awards | Best Female Alternative Act |
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Jind Meriyeh" UK Bhangra charts Peak at no.4 | ||
| 1999 | "Jouleh Jouleh" | EMI Records | |
| 2010 | "Andheri Raat" | Imprint Records | |
| 2011 | "Leley Mera Dil" | Keda Records | |
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destiny |
| ||
| Laila |
| ||
| Laila Remix's |
| ||
| 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 |