Shahin Badar: The Musical Warrior Princess

The term warrior has two meanings. The first literal use refers to "a person engaged or experienced in warfare." The second figurative use refers to "a person who shows, or has shown great vigour, courage, or strength”. Now let me transfer this interpretation towards the world of music, and allow me to take away the warfare, and sprinkle a whole lotta female energy into the equation. This brings me close to a lady known as Shahin Badar.

The award winning and incredibly dynamic leading British Asian vocalist returns to the limelight with the release of her fantastic debut solo album Laila.

With such an incredible career spanning well over the last decade, much of which has been spent collaborating with an array of exciting artists, producers, musicians and bands, it came as a real surprise to me that this is her first full solo project which has taken so long to craft and be released.

I had the recent pleasure of Shahin’s full attention for just over an hour during our conversation over the phone, part of a live feature for my weekend radio show. Her speaking voice is just as distinctive as her singing, and there is real warmth that oozes through as she talks.

I recall the early days of the media termed ‘Asian Underground’ sound in London, UK when I first heard about Shahin myself. Featuring on tracks such as ’66 metres’ by Indian Ropeman, and becoming widely known for her powerful Indo Arabic Alaap chant which was a trademark sound within the scene, it wasn’t long before giants from the music world took notice. One such genius dance collective of the late 1990’s were The Prodigy, and when I say I was a fan, this would be an understatement. Albums such as ‘Fat of the Land’ and ‘Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned’ will go down in my history as two of the best in the genre, and Shahin graced them both with her vocals on the controversial international smash hit ‘Smack my bitch up’ and alongside Twista and Juliette Lewis on Get up, Get off. (WOW!!!) These tracks, and many more shaped my own eclectic identity during my teenage years, as well as my very eclectic taste in music throughout.

It seems I share an eclectic taste in music with Shahin, and by tracing back her history within the industry it is very evident that she has danced and sang to her own rhythm when it comes to the contributions she has made to music, and as well as the collaborations she has been a part of. She mentions the difficulty for her family to accept the affirmed choices she made early on to pursue a full time career in music, something, which I am sure, has unknowingly inspired those with whom she has had contact with, or touched with her music along the way.

There is no denying the fact the Shahin Badar is a dynamic, strong, and very versatile artist, and for those less familiar with her vibe I would highly recommend you delve into both the past, present and future of what is yet to come. She is an award-winning songstress and without any doubts, has emerged as one of the most accomplished and outstanding crossover commercial female Asian vocalists in the burgeoning UK and Asian music scene.

The new album, simply entitled Laila features a blend of Arabic, English and Indian influences, and showcases 18 wide-ranging styles of tracks.

The cover of the album is adorned with colorful Japanese style artwork depicting Shahin in the form of a beautiful Warrior Princess. Upon hearing the full album you will see how well this contrasts with the multi-faceted expressions of a beautiful human being, who not only has an immense passion for music and rhythm, but an honest love for life, happiness, and harmony.

As the conversation draws to an end, and after much serious and funny talk about so many things, and of course playing some of the great tracks from the album; I thank my lovely guest for gracing her presence to my humble radio show. I also convey the appreciation I always have for moments in time when someone could have been anywhere in the world, and they willingly took out time to spend talking with me.

And when it just so happens to be musical royalty you are in conversation with, it really is a beautiful thing! Until the next time!!!

Check the new video for the title track from the new album:

Shahin Badar performing alongside Joi on Jools Holland show, BBC:

VISIT: http://www.shahinbadar.com & http://uk.youtube.com/user/musicjune7