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SHAMAILA KHAN NEWS & REVIEWS
SHAMAILA Khan - whose that? Not a question many will be asking soon according to producers of a new album called Oi! They believe London university graduate Shamaila blasted to fame as her debut CD rockets up the Asian charts. Produced by renowned music director, Rajan Bawa and released by KGN Records, Oi! has been two years in the making and KGN believe they’ve got a number one hit. The eight-track album features a culturally diverse range of music. The first track, "Soneya" is a fusion of English MC beats and Hindi melody; "Habibi" is a mix of Hindi and Arabic lyrics and melodies with bhangra backing, and "Margaya Tera Style" has catchy bhangra and dance grooves. Said Shamaila, "For me, Oi! is a dream come true. It is a result of two years of intense dedication and collaboration between Rajan Bawa, KGN records and myself. “In it, we explore new ground between Hindi, bhangra, rap, pop and dance music. The lyrics are incredibly inspiring and are an extension of myself as an artist and a performer." Producer Rajan says he knew he found a star in Shamaila they day she walked into his music studio.
He said: "To me, Shamaila Khan is the find of the century - she has everything, from exceptional talent and ambition to intelligence, determination and kindness. Once music fans see and hear her, I have no doubt that they will feel the same way, and that Shamaila will rule their ears and hearts for years to come." Shamaila was passionate about music and singing from a very early age. She sang in school concerts and had a lot of encouragement from teachers and family. Early work experience with her father as an assistant producer making documentaries, dramas and films also brought her sound knowledge of the media industry and gave her a taste of what was to come. She said: “I knew that if I wanted to make it big one day that it would be important for me to understand every aspect of the industry, and that includes learning about the behind-the-scenes of programming and production.” After graduating with a degree in business and marketing studies from the University of London, Shamaila embarked on the next step to fulfiling her dream – finding a music producer. London-based music director/producer, Rajan was her first choice. After producing SK1’s chart-topping bhangra album, he jumped at the challenge of working with a brand new artist. “Rajan is a brilliant producer," she said. "We have been working together for two years to produce Oi! and it’s involved a lot of intensive training, long hours and dedication. It took a while to develop my voice and we had to fine tune every tiny detail to get the sound, look and feel of the album just right. Sometimes it got a little laborious, but it was the best two years of my life.” Shamaila also had recent success as a Bollywood playback singer with two movies due for release. The upcoming ‘Mere Baap Ki Shaadi Hai’ starring Aftab Shivdasani, Diya Mirza and Anupam Kher has her singing three songs, and she has two songs on ‘Lips’, which has yet to be cast, but is rumoured to be starring Bollywood sex symbol, Arjun Rampal. With all this already under her belt, Shamaila is set for success. Oi! is the first album to be released by KGN Records, and will be followed by two other artist releases later in the year. The album is out on 19 March at a cost of £9.99 for CD's, and £4.95 for cassettes. S.B First published by the Asian News
(London, UK): Shamaila Khan is the stunning new pop sensation soon to be blasting the charts, with her explosive debut album, Oi!, due for release on March 19th 2004. Produced by renowned music director, Rajan Bawa and released by KGN Records, Oi! is one of the most eagerly awaited releases of the year. The video to Shamaila's first single, 'Soneya' will be hitting TV screens in a few short weeks and is guaranteed to have all the ingredients.
I am not a great fan of Hindi-pop music, but every once in a while a new album comes along to change my mind and Shamaila Khan's debut album 'Oi!' is just such an album. The stunning Ms Khan has another attribute to add to her long list…she can actually sing. In 'Oi!' her vocal ability has been stretched from straightforward higher-pitched Bollywood filmi type of songs, to lower-pitched ballads like 'Jia Beqarar' to fast-paced traditional Bhangra songs like 'Tera Styal'. Her balladic style is very reminiscent of the late Nazia Hassan, who really was decades ahead of her time. The weakest song on the CD is 'Tere Payar Main' which sounds like Ms Khan is straining to reign in her runaway voice to a lower, slower pace favoured by a Western audience. Chameleon-like, Shamaila Khan is musically like Natacha Atlas, Shazia Manzur & Falguni Pathak rolled into one! I think parents and children will love the mid-range pop sound in 'Tere Naal Naal' and 'Soneya' and the record producers have kindly provided the lyrics for all those birthday party karaoke sing-a-longs! I can see future hit for 'Soneya' which has English lyrics written by Des Powell and Joe Wright. The Arabic-Hindi mix 'Habibi' could also be another hit that features a great ululating sound from an unknown artiste in the background. Hassan Mostafa wrote the Arabic lyrics for 'Habibi' and it would be fantastic to see more Hindi-Arabic mixes like this. 'Jia Beqarar' will be beloved by ballad-fans and Bhangra track 'Tera Styal' is destined for dance floors everywhere. If Shamaila Khan can dance as well as she can sing, I can foresee instant stardom. 'Oi!' is well worth buying when it is released on 19 March 2004.
Omnisia launches new music division Thursday 4th March, 2004 Marketing and design company Omnisia is diversifying into the music business by founding a new record label. It's hoping to launch an artist by the end of the month. KGN Records is the brainchild of Waqar Mirza, Chief Executive of Omnisia. With over 20 years experience in marketing, communications and publishing, Omnisia conducts product launches as well as managing banks, airlines and drinks companies across the globe. By establishing KGN Records the company hopes to offer complete music production and marketing services for it's music clients. The first launch will be for new singer Shamaila Khan (pictured) who's debut album 'Oi!' will be released on March 19th. The pop singer, who sings in different styles, will be produced by the renowned Rajan Bawa. The artist has already completed playback for two forthcoming Bollywood films and sang at Sony TV's Sports Personality of the Year Award in London. Waqar Mirza said: "KGN is set to break the mould as music producers. Our goal is to raise the standards and qualities of production and marketing for ethnic music, in order to bring it on par with the mainstream music industry. We strongly believe that ethnic artists should have the same opportunities and media coverage as their mainstream counterparts and we are confident in our ability to make this happen." The launch of Shamaila's album Oi! will be followed up by two other artist releases later in the year.
BIOGRAPHY About SHAMAILA KHAN – singer, dancer Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Shamaila Khan moved with her family to west London. Gifted with brains as well as beauty, she took an armful of GCSE passes and graduated from the University of London with a degree in business and marketing studies. Early work experience with her father as an Assistant Producer making documentaries, dramas and films brought her sound knowledge of the media industry, backed by marketing work in publishing. "It broadened my business and public relations experience," she says. "I knew if would come in useful when it came to dealing with the music business!" TV beckons Shamaila was picked to present a live show at one of the leading Asian satellite TV channels. This brought her a first taste of fandom, but nothing in comparison with the attention heaped on her after winning Miss Asia UK in 2001. "That was the real stepping stone towards achieving my targeted career," she recalls. "After winning Miss Asia I was offered a heroine role in a Bollywood film. I know most people would jump at this because it connects you to such a massive audience. But after serious consideration, I decided not to pursue acting as a career." Shamaila was always singing in school and had a lot of encouragement from my teachers and her close knit family. "I didn’t want to choose the path that everybody does, singing here and there and finally getting noticed. I guess I was on a fast track," she recounts. "I have always believed in education and knew I needed and wanted professional training. So the first task was to find professional producers and get across to them my ambitions." She admits it was tough going, but … Rajan Bawa "I heard a lot about London-based Bollywood music director, Rajan Bawa. I found his music very interesting - quite unusual and different. And at that time (1990) his work with SK1 was number one in the charts and drawing plenty of praise. "A family friend knew somebody who was a close friend of Rajan and I asked if he would introduce me to him. "He promised me that he would take me to his studio. I was over the moon, driving to the studio and asking, "are you sure he will see us?", and he was assuring me, "Yes, yes, yes, don’t worry!" "But he didn’t see us that day and we had to find another. And he didn’t see us on the second appointment! "Third time lucky - after waiting two hours in the car, he took us in the studio. I was very nervous and he was very polite and came straight came to the point, "What can I do for you?" "After a long discussion, we left empty-handed. He refused to work with me. Perseverance pays Shamaila didn’t give up. Now she knew where the studio was, she gathered all the courage she could, rang the door bell and when he saw her: "I got straight to the point too, blurting out "I want you to produce my album!". "He looked at me and smiled and said: "I explained myself very well, did I miss anything?" "No, you did not miss anything", I replied, "but you are the only one who will produce my album! I know, I know but that’s enthusiasm and determination!" "After a long pause he said," Okay, sing me a song!" and I sang a favourite. He listened patiently and then said, "you have a good voice but you need to learn technique". And that was it! "I dropped everything and focused myself on singing. With his guidance, over the next two years, I took training from two music teachers, one English and one Indian. Rajan took me through the studio and mike-trained me. "And finally I got into the studio at KGN and we started laying tracks down for Oi!" Information released on behalf of KGN Records by Singsong Entertainment Publicity [For further information please contact Pat Tynan] Pat Tynan Media Office: +44(0)1895 636935 Mobile: 07985 400297 An associate of SingSong Entertainment Publicity |
