She�s worked with The Prodigy, AR Rahman, Joi and Indian Ropeman and performed at an international level.  Shahin Badar talks about why she prefers to stay mainstream.

FEW Asian female vocalists have been recognised by the mainstream music industry in the west,  but Shahin Badar is an exception.  The award winning songstress from East London, who was brought up in Kuwait during her formative years,  has dedicated years of her life to training and using her voice in pursuit of musical excellence.

Despite being highly educated and having a challenging job in Customs & Excise, Shahin decided to turn her talents  towards music. �My passion for music started from childhood. I used to perform regularly at school and in concerts in Kuwait. Professionally it started when I was 21 and did a couple of shows in London and started making demos. I released a single called  Jind Mariye into the Asian market, which was  produced by Taz from Stereo Nation.�

The popularity of Jind Meriye got Shahin noticed and approached by British music producer Kuljit Bhamra who helped her make her debut solo album Destiny. Destiny had a mellow flavour with distinct Arabic influences; a sound that has now become Shahin�s trademark. Shahin explains how her unique sound developed.

�Because I was bought up in Kuwait and mingled with a lot of Arabs, I sang in Arabic all the time. I was particularly encouraged by my teachers to sing in Arabic during school assemblies. This is now reflected in my music as it�s a sound I feel comfortable with.�

A big fan of dance and Arabic music, Shahin wanted her next album to be more dance and Arabic orientated. Her prayers were answered when Aki Nawaz from Nation Records recommended her to the management of the British dance group The Prodigy, who were interested in using her voice. History was made when Shahin�s Chanting was recorded and used on the infamous Smack My Bitch Up track from the band�s double platinum album The Fat Of The Land.

Despite causing controversy when first released, the song and Shahin�s chanting have gone on to feature in several commercials and films, including the recent Charlie�s Angels movie.

Instead of capitalising on her success and making her second solo album, Shahin decided to concentrate on collaborating with mainstream artists. This has included the likes of the Indian Ropeman on the hit single 66 Meters, accompanying The Fun Loving Criminals on a 4 day UK tour and performing with Joi on the BBC television programme Later With Jools Holland and their European tour. �I like collaborating with mainstream artists, making a name for myself and having my music chart. It�s less risky than venturing out into the mainstream on your own. People like Talvin Singh and Nitin Sawhney are doing the same,� explains Shahin.

What does she think of the new breed of British Asian musicians and their place in the mainstream? �I think at the moment people are really trying and venturing out into all kinds of areas,� answers Shahin. �The market has opened a lot for Asian music and the mainstream are trying to use it, like Missy Elliot. However, I don�t think the mainstream yet knows how to fully market and push forward an Asian artiste. I think this is because they are worried about whether non-Asians would want to buy their music and if they can target millions of people with an Asian track. I�ve found that tracks which feature an Asian element do better.�

Bollywood has also knocked on Shahin�s door, much to her pleasure. Last year India�s leading music composer AR Rahman used Shahin�s voice in the soundtrack to Shyam Benegal�s film Zubeidaa. He has also worked with Shahin on Azizi, a song that will feature in a forthcoming joint Indian and Hollywood production called The Thief Of Bagdad.

�AR Rahman is very professional, caring and humble. He keeps himself to himself but his personality shines through when he talks to you about his work. When I was in Mumbai recently he flew me over to Madras to record the Indian version of the track Azizi. I�d like to do some more work with him for Bollywood,� says Shahin. One of the busiest artistes in the industry, Shahin has just finished recording music for a dance/garage track with DJ S for the Pure Silk label which is destined for the Ayia Nappa scene and mainstream release later this year. Another project in the pipeline is a track with the legendary musician Jah Wobble to be included in a forthcoming American album.

So what is the secret of Shahin�s success? Without hesitation she replies, �You�ve got to have determination, be firm in your beliefs and know what you want to achieve. You also have to be moralistic in the music industry because once you lose respect you never get it back. Having good management behind you is important, as well as having a certain amount of control over your own career.�

Shahin will be performing at the Redbridge Festival on 1st July 2001 and the Essentials Festival at Finsbury Park on 15th July.
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