Shahin Badar
Award winning songstress Shahin Badar has without a doubt emerged as one of the most accomplished and outstanding crossover commercial female Asian vocalists in the burgeoning UK and Asian music scene. We caught up with her for a rather long and interesting chat about her life in the spotlight.
Hello there, what are you up to?
I just returned from the glitzy world of Mumbai, which was really exciting. Now I am extremely busy with some of my current productions, including media interviews and a live performance in France with an eleven-piece live orchestra and a jazz band named Bewhy.
I have also been brainstorming with some lyrics and melodies for my English album with producer/engineer Dave Pemberton, who has had hits with Orbital, Kylie, Groove Armada, Prodigy and many more. So it's humming, scribbling and chanting all the way.
So, you’re getting ready to release your new single ['Take it' with Noise Control] can you tell us a bit about it?
Yes, it's really exciting. I have two singles; one with the great composer Seb Taylor of Kaya Project, who composed for Sex and the City. I was thrilled to work with him. The single is called 'Oummah Oum' (people wake up), with six different mixes for the world electronica market through Interchill records from the album ‘Desert Phase‘.
The other is a single is [a] collaboration with Irish electronica band Noise Control. My vocal deliverance on the record is of a Sufi feel. I wanted to give something spiritual and powerful to the record, and to my fans who are already aware of my alaap chant vocals on 'Smack My Bitch Up' and 'Get Up Get Off' by the Prodigy. There are so many atrocities going on in the world and I wanted to add that vibe into the song.
Noise Control’s production is absolutely superb and our song 'Take it' is really catchy and already creating a great buzz In Ireland. It is available for download through all digital download providers. Our video shoot for 'Take it' will be in the summer. I feel a sense of contentment when a song that I have written and sung gets picked up and played on mainstream national radio channels.
The new single 'Take it ' is out now, why are you releasing that track?
The song has a great vibe and is a truly meaningful track. It just feels right to release it now. Look at the world now - we are all hungering for peace and love. Yet humans are taking humans’ lives, not God! There is ignorance all around, and poor judgement bestowed upon humans - helpless families and children. Lives are taken for granted. [It’s] just atrocious!
I guess we are also getting ready to make some noise in the summer festivals, like Glastonbury and World of Culture in Ireland, etc. Have a listen to 'Take it' - you will love it!
Your previous single, the amazing club-stomper 'Mundaya' with house producer Tim Deluxe created a massive buzz in the club scenes, Ibiza and with Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong. Do you think you can replicate this with the new record?
No, both records are different. 'Mundaya' was a club track and 'Take it' is an electronica track, two totally different sounds. I don't like replicating sounds. I love all genres of music from world, drum and bass to hip-hop, and for me every collaboration (including my own album 'Laila') is different.
My current album ‘Laila’ is very eclectic and some national radio stations’ producers loved it, but they are only scheduled to play the chart top ten hits, etc. I heard they are paid to play just that! It's a shame, which makes it harder for acts like myself. I fuse different sounds to make the material 'me', not following a trend. That's what makes the projects more exciting and interesting.
There is a lot of competition in the business today. Do you think you have what it takes to give the big names a run for their money?
Competition is for those who wish to compete; I don't wish to compete because my sound is different. What I have is respect both from my community, my fans and our British people for what I have achieved so far. So I am thankful. I am happy working with music of all genres with exciting, new and established producers and creating a niche for the market with the successes and hits I have already had from Indian Ropeman's ‘66 Meters’ played on MTV (charted number 16 in the independent charts in the UK), [and also] having my vocals feature on the famous Scottish Widows advert. 'Mundaya' [was] chosen as Pete Tong's tune of the week. [I also contributed to] 'Get Up Get Off ' with Twista and Juliet Lewis, [along with] 'Smack My Bitch Up ', which has left a mark around the world, [and] for which I received a double-platinum disc for my contribution. My chant became an anthem. People speak about it even today. There's respect and it's truly humbling.
I was the only female Indian artist that appeared with a phenomenal electronica dance band like The Prodigy, whose album ‘Fat of the Land’ was described by the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest-selling album in the world. [I also] performed live on Jools Holland, had a single release in Paris with Joulie Joulie music which was distributed through EMI records, [was] one of the judges for Great Britain’s Miss Universe, worked with Oscar winner Ar Rahman (‘Jai Ho’) on award-winning Bollywood films Yuva and Zubeida.
I definitely have what it takes. I am a complete package without being manufactured - companies need to be a little more open-minded!
Those that are bigger names than me, I am very proud of their achievements but I can't compete with them because my style is totally different. I am always open for collaborations; I have stuck to my guns. I have headlined many shows and performed in Glastonbury, Creamfields, Global Gathering, God's Kitchen, Womad and many, many more and shared the stage with the likes of Basement Jaxx, Pink, Soul to Soul, [and] 50 Cent. I must admit that when I have been on stage and performing in front of [a] 40 000+ crowd, I had many that couldn't believe my presence on stage and were totally taken by me. It was very difficult when I first started out as I came across as powerful and was described by papers as 'unique' but 'Asian'. I loved wacky costume with a bit of class. I would add some Indian elements and rock the crowd on stage, ready to take off - people would just stare at me in awe. I was told I was way ahead of my time; it's a mark of creativity!
It was that simple - your natural voice with good persona on stage is a gift from God, not manufactured. It was hard as I wasn't being very revealing and kept away from it, yet I was successful in my creativity with the projects I had in hand. I became choosy with my work and had to turn down offers from projects that seemed totally fraudulent, and some just lied to seek my attention and promised the world. I had to make my own decision and stay strong, and kept away from ignorant ones [people].
I never follow big talks, and like walking with humble people who believe in me, not those who are out there to compete with me. I just switch off. As a woman you have to be a fighter for your own prestige. I have been there, nominated for awards, won some, [been] involved in charity events, [and] dined with the rich and famous, so I don't have to prove anything to anyone. I remember once when I did win an award an industry man greeted me, congratulated me cheerfully in front of my face and I truly believed him to be a nice man. As soon as I turned my back his face looked crumbled, he made a face behind my back. I felt it instantly and turned. His face went red and he had to walk away in shame, but that's the business we are in!
Yes some are envious of me but I am not [worried about] them. People used to call up my manager just to find out what I was up to with my music. It's so awful. I haven't got a clue what they were frightened about.
Years ago I just didn’t trust anyone. I continued to keep writing and looked for projects I was comfortable with. A lot of them [people] within the industry followed me when I first started making a name [for myself] and I guess I inspired a lot of them. I feel privileged that I did. When fans come and hold my hand and whisper their appreciation of my work, I feel on the top of the world. They are my followers who make ME want to achieve. Some try to take away your credibility, but that's okay. All I wish to say to those who wish to ignore me through their naïveté, kindly Google me (smiles).
I feel proud that the bigger names like Drew Barrymore appreciated my work, featured my vocals on an award-winning film like Charlie's Angels and chose it for a specific part of the film. There are over forty films where my work has been picked up to suit strong, female character roles, etc.
So, if you could recommend just one song of yours for us to download so that we want to hear all of your music, what would it be?
There are a few but let’s say for now 'Distortion' from my album ‘Laila’.
If I was contemplating coming to your show or sitting at home and watching Big Brother, how would you get me out of the house?
Come on, girl. If you [would] like some poppadoms and chutney, come [and] dine with me after the show!
We’ve got to admit you’re a little bit cool, so what advice would you give to someone just starting out, knowing what you know now?
Thank you! It's a tough world out there, [the] music business is changing, you have to persevere, walk and work with righteous people who believe in you and will stand by you, not charge you [an] extortionate amount of money to get you work. You cannot trust everyone. You are the believer and believe in God. Without faith, there is no success. There will be hurdles. Teenagers coming into the business, let your parents be your guidance too, they are your strengths. I believe in the one and powerful lord, and I went through many ups and downs and came out stronger. Not every helping hand is really a helping hand. Ignore the negativity, and spread love and peace with your music for the people of the world, not animosity. Be humble.
So, if [SHAHIN BADAR] was an acronym what would each letter stand for?
Okay. I put this up for my Facebook friends and this is what they all put together for me, which I thought was really lovely and I told them I will have it published!
S - Sweet and Sophisticated
H - Humble and Helpful
A - Achiever
H - Honest and Humanitarian
I - Incredible
N - Noble
B - Beautiful
A - Adorable
D - Dreamer
A - Artist
R - Reliable and Ravishing
If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mariah Carey's 'Music Box'.
Okay, now we want to ask you some random questions (that I robbed off my stepsisters’ MySpace page); What were you doing last night at 11?
I was rummaging through my old clothes deciding as to what I should give away to charity.
What are you going to do after this interview?
I am going to compose a melody and finish writing the lyrics for my electronica album with an exciting new band called Dopebuzz.
When was the last time you did something incredibly stupid?
[A} few weeks ago I walked around my kitchen thinking of a melody and I was so engrossed in it with my eyes half shut that I added two teaspoons of salt in my tea instead of brown sugar, stirred it and was ready to indulge into the serene world of 'tea flavour', just like in the adverts. Unfortunately had to spit it out in horror! My dad came out running from the hallway asking me what on Earth had happened!
What’s the last film you saw?
[Over] Easter weekend I saw 'One of the Greatest Stories Told So Far ' - [an] amazing movie about Jesus Christ. I was very emotionally taken by it.
What’s the last thing you bought?
Quite a few things - a coral knit cardigan from Karen Millen and a gigantic ring from a small, exquisite boutique.
Award winning songstress Shahin Badar has without a doubt emerged as one of the most accomplished and outstanding crossover commercial female Asian vocalists in the burgeoning UK and Asian music scene. We caught up with her for a rather long and interesting chat about her life in the spotlight.
Hello there, what are you up to?
I just returned from the glitzy world of Mumbai, which was really exciting. Now I am extremely busy with some of my current productions, including media interviews and a live performance in France with an eleven-piece live orchestra and a jazz band named Bewhy.
I have also been brainstorming with some lyrics and melodies for my English album with producer/engineer Dave Pemberton, who has had hits with Orbital, Kylie, Groove Armada, Prodigy and many more. So it's humming, scribbling and chanting all the way.
So, you’re getting ready to release your new single ['Take it' with Noise Control] can you tell us a bit about it?
Yes, it's really exciting. I have two singles; one with the great composer Seb Taylor of Kaya Project, who composed for Sex and the City. I was thrilled to work with him. The single is called 'Oummah Oum' (people wake up), with six different mixes for the world electronica market through Interchill records from the album ‘Desert Phase‘.
The other is a single is [a] collaboration with Irish electronica band Noise Control. My vocal deliverance on the record is of a Sufi feel. I wanted to give something spiritual and powerful to the record, and to my fans who are already aware of my alaap chant vocals on 'Smack My Bitch Up' and 'Get Up Get Off' by the Prodigy. There are so many atrocities going on in the world and I wanted to add that vibe into the song.
Noise Control’s production is absolutely superb and our song 'Take it' is really catchy and already creating a great buzz In Ireland. It is available for download through all digital download providers. Our video shoot for 'Take it' will be in the summer. I feel a sense of contentment when a song that I have written and sung gets picked up and played on mainstream national radio channels.
The new single 'Take it ' is out now, why are you releasing that track?
The song has a great vibe and is a truly meaningful track. It just feels right to release it now. Look at the world now - we are all hungering for peace and love. Yet humans are taking humans’ lives, not God! There is ignorance all around, and poor judgement bestowed upon humans - helpless families and children. Lives are taken for granted. [It’s] just atrocious!
I guess we are also getting ready to make some noise in the summer festivals, like Glastonbury and World of Culture in Ireland, etc. Have a listen to 'Take it' - you will love it!
Your previous single, the amazing club-stomper 'Mundaya' with house producer Tim Deluxe created a massive buzz in the club scenes, Ibiza and with Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong. Do you think you can replicate this with the new record?
No, both records are different. 'Mundaya' was a club track and 'Take it' is an electronica track, two totally different sounds. I don't like replicating sounds. I love all genres of music from world, drum and bass to hip-hop, and for me every collaboration (including my own album 'Laila') is different.
My current album ‘Laila’ is very eclectic and some national radio stations’ producers loved it, but they are only scheduled to play the chart top ten hits, etc. I heard they are paid to play just that! It's a shame, which makes it harder for acts like myself. I fuse different sounds to make the material 'me', not following a trend. That's what makes the projects more exciting and interesting.
There is a lot of competition in the business today. Do you think you have what it takes to give the big names a run for their money?
Competition is for those who wish to compete; I don't wish to compete because my sound is different. What I have is respect both from my community, my fans and our British people for what I have achieved so far. So I am thankful. I am happy working with music of all genres with exciting, new and established producers and creating a niche for the market with the successes and hits I have already had from Indian Ropeman's ‘66 Meters’ played on MTV (charted number 16 in the independent charts in the UK), [and also] having my vocals feature on the famous Scottish Widows advert. 'Mundaya' [was] chosen as Pete Tong's tune of the week. [I also contributed to] 'Get Up Get Off ' with Twista and Juliet Lewis, [along with] 'Smack My Bitch Up ', which has left a mark around the world, [and] for which I received a double-platinum disc for my contribution. My chant became an anthem. People speak about it even today. There's respect and it's truly humbling.
I was the only female Indian artist that appeared with a phenomenal electronica dance band like The Prodigy, whose album ‘Fat of the Land’ was described by the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest-selling album in the world. [I also] performed live on Jools Holland, had a single release in Paris with Joulie Joulie music which was distributed through EMI records, [was] one of the judges for Great Britain’s Miss Universe, worked with Oscar winner Ar Rahman (‘Jai Ho’) on award-winning Bollywood films Yuva and Zubeida.
I definitely have what it takes. I am a complete package without being manufactured - companies need to be a little more open-minded!
Those that are bigger names than me, I am very proud of their achievements but I can't compete with them because my style is totally different. I am always open for collaborations; I have stuck to my guns. I have headlined many shows and performed in Glastonbury, Creamfields, Global Gathering, God's Kitchen, Womad and many, many more and shared the stage with the likes of Basement Jaxx, Pink, Soul to Soul, [and] 50 Cent. I must admit that when I have been on stage and performing in front of [a] 40 000+ crowd, I had many that couldn't believe my presence on stage and were totally taken by me. It was very difficult when I first started out as I came across as powerful and was described by papers as 'unique' but 'Asian'. I loved wacky costume with a bit of class. I would add some Indian elements and rock the crowd on stage, ready to take off - people would just stare at me in awe. I was told I was way ahead of my time; it's a mark of creativity!
It was that simple - your natural voice with good persona on stage is a gift from God, not manufactured. It was hard as I wasn't being very revealing and kept away from it, yet I was successful in my creativity with the projects I had in hand. I became choosy with my work and had to turn down offers from projects that seemed totally fraudulent, and some just lied to seek my attention and promised the world. I had to make my own decision and stay strong, and kept away from ignorant ones [people].
I never follow big talks, and like walking with humble people who believe in me, not those who are out there to compete with me. I just switch off. As a woman you have to be a fighter for your own prestige. I have been there, nominated for awards, won some, [been] involved in charity events, [and] dined with the rich and famous, so I don't have to prove anything to anyone. I remember once when I did win an award an industry man greeted me, congratulated me cheerfully in front of my face and I truly believed him to be a nice man. As soon as I turned my back his face looked crumbled, he made a face behind my back. I felt it instantly and turned. His face went red and he had to walk away in shame, but that's the business we are in!
Yes some are envious of me but I am not [worried about] them. People used to call up my manager just to find out what I was up to with my music. It's so awful. I haven't got a clue what they were frightened about.