Maher Zain

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[starttext]Maher’s first musical inspiration came from his father, who was a singer himself, performing locally in the beautiful Mediterranean city of Tripoli - Lebanon.
Fascinated by the music and instruments, Maher got his first keyboard when he was only ten and ever since music officially became part of Maher’s world.

The family moved to Sweden when Maher was only 8, where he continued his schooling, and later entered university and got a Bachelors degree in Aeronautical Engineering. With things changing around him, one thing remained the same - his strong passion for music. He would spend late nights at school with his friends where they would sing, rap, compose and experiment with music in every way. It didn’t take him long to realize that music became an integral part of who he is.

After being involved for a while in the music scene in Sweden as a music producer, Maher was introduced to RedOne, a gifted music producer who was fast rising in the music scene in Sweden. Maher started working with RedOne with Swedish artists, and later moved with him to New York. For a few years he was in the middle of the hot rush of the NY music industry, working with chart topping artists such as Kat Deluna on her debut album which included smash hits ‘Whine up’ and ‘Run the Show’.
Maher had what many would describe as a dream job for someone so young in such a glamorous business, but for Maher it felt like this was far from what he would call ‘the dream’, “I loved the music but I hated everything that surrounded it, it always felt like something wasn’t right”. RedOne was on the verge of breaking into the big time, going on to work with artists like Akon, Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias, Brandy, New Kids on the Block, and Michael Jackson to mention just a few, and becoming one of the most sought-after music producers in the world. Maher however was restless and eventually decided that the music industry and all that surrounded wasn’t the right place for him and he returned to Sweden. It wasn’t until he met a group of brothers who were active in the Islamic community in Stockholm and he started regularly attending his local mosque that he felt like he’d reached ‘home’.

Maher feels blessed to able to finally find the right way, and feels like it’s his turn now to help others through his music to do the same: “If I had one thing I’d like to tell people out there it would be that it’s so easy to see the right way if we just open our eyes and look properly; that’s what happened to me.” [endtext]

Maher Zain

Yusuf Islam

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[starttext] Yusuf Islam, formerly known by his stage name Cat Stevens (born Steven Demetre Georgiou on 21 July 1948 in London, UK), is an English musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist and prominent convert to Islam.

As "Cat Stevens," Islam has sold over 60 million albums around the world since the late 1960s. His albums Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat were both certified by the RIAA as having achieved Triple Platinum status in the United States (three million sales each); his album Catch Bull at Four sold half a million copies in the first two weeks of release and was Billboard's number-one LP for three consecutive weeks. His songwriting has also earned him two ASCAP songwriting awards (for "The First Cut Is the Deepest," which has been a hit single for four different artists.)Stevens converted to Islam at the height of his fame in 1977.

The following year, he adopted his Islamic name Yusuf Islam and left his music career to devote himself to educational and philanthropic causes in the Muslim community. In 2006, he returned to pop music, with his first album of new pop songs in 28 years, entitled An Other Cup.

He has been given several awards for his work in promoting peace in the world, including the 2004 Man for Peace award and the 2007 Mediterranean Prize for Peace. He lives with his wife, Fauzia Mubarak Ali, and five children in Brondesbury Park, London, and spends part of each year in Dubai.
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Yusuf Islam

Native Deen

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[starttext] The story of Native Deen is an inspiring one that began with three Muslim youth possessing unique talents and a passion to spread the uplifting message of Islam. Originally solo artists and active participants of their communities searching for creative ways to educate and inspire Muslim youth, today Native Deen has become a fusion of Hip-hop and R&B flavors, thrilling fans with their eclectic and unique combinations of lyrics, rhythms and sounds. The trio made up of Joshua Salaam, Abdul-Malik Ahmad and Naeem Muhammad came together in 2000 and has embarked upon a professional career in the music industry together in order to highlight issues confronting Muslims living in America.

These three young African-American men who were raised as Muslims in America have emerged as one of the leading Islamic Nasheed groups and have inspired an international fan base. Drawing their own inspiration from the message of Islam, Native Deen's music calls listeners to keep the faith, to live better lives, and to NOT succumb to the pressures and temptations of modern society.

Native Deen uses only percussion instruments, inline with the majority Muslim opinion on the use of musical instruments. This has not hindered the group's musical creativity but has resulted in evocative audio efforts that have resulted in sounds that are a fusion of street rap, Hip-hop & R&B. The music of Native Deen resonates with fans all over the world. Their music and positive message have been embraced by people of all ages and backgrounds, from Islamic clerics to non-Muslims.

The group has played to rave reviews throughout North America as well as Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Together, they have played some of the world's most distinguished auditoriums and performed alongside artists such as Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), Sami Yusuf, Zain Bhika, Raihan, Dawud Wharnsby, Seven8Six, Outlandish and much more. Native Deen has performed in over 60 cities around the world inspiring Muslims and non-Muslims alike and are ranked as one of the Top Five bands in its genre on MySpace. Native Deen's music has provided a cultural bridge by presenting Islam in a positive light to Western audiences and promoting tolerance in Muslim countries by demonstrating that there are devout, practicing Muslims in Western countries. In 2006 the group won the Mahabba Award in Dubai at an Artists' event showcasing musicians, artists and filmmakers inspired to spread Islam through their art. Now with their second album out, the trio has reached a new height in their career.

Extracted from Native Deen Official Site:

http://www.nativedeen.com/ns/pages.php?ID=about
[endtext]

Native Deen

Hamza Robertson

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[starttext] Hamza Robertson was born in Lancashire in the North-West of England. Since school through college, he involved himself in music and the performing arts. He was a part of the local theatre workshop, where he wrote music and acted in plays. He took part in a variety of bands beyond college, playing a variety of instruments and writing music. He still produces his own unique pieces.

Through his early academic career, Hamza played the keyboard and performed vocals and as such played in several bands, later becoming lead singer, keyboard player and guitarist in a band he formed with his friends. Hamza has undertaken a series of solo performances. He studied Performing Arts Popular Music for three years.

In working with Awakening, Hamza aims to take part in a new dynamics in calling to God, or ‘dawah’, in a new world, through producing songs with a positive message. He feels that too many people know too little about Islam and the beauty of its essential values, values which bring about harmony between people, as opposed to discord.

Hamza believes that music, being a powerful source of energy, can be employed to influence people toward either good or bad. He feels there is too much ‘negative music’ in the world giving people the wrong message, and bringing about within them the desire to do things which are against their inherently pure nature, i.e their ‘fitrah’.

Early Life Of Hamza Robertson

Hamza was just an ordinary boy known as Tom Robertson who grew up in Chadderton, Oldham. Oldham mainly consists of two large communities, Asian and white. Hamza was from the town’s white community and was brought up in a Christian family environment. During his years at his local town college which was heavily attended by a large mixture with students from many cultures, he made friends with a multi-cultural group of youth’s headed by a local cult leader, known as the notorious Prince Fi. Fi, Omar Abdullah, Sheikh Bilal (Sheikh Bilal also Muslim convert) introduced Hamza to Islam.

Hamza’s fascination for Islam grew and eventually Hamza with Sheikh Bilal, decided to travel to the Middle East in search of further knowledge and enlightenment. Hamza then gained interest into Sufism. Finally he was discovered by the famous Yusuf Islam who on discovering a talented voice sponsored and signed Robertson up as his apprentice. Hamza Robertson has recently performed at the prestigious GPU (Global Peace & Unity) concert 2006, held in London near Canary Wharf.

Hamza has finished working on his first album ‘Something About Life’ - (already released). Hamza appeared at the annual GPU event in London in the prestigious Excel venue in the East of the Capital.An event situated on revealing the essential values of Islam to the Western community as a whole. This is one of the many events Hamza has appeared in, for example in August 2007 he appeared at the Islamic Relief Evening of Inspiration event to fundraise for programs that support women and children in need.

Robertson is a very passionate young singer who embraces his fans with open arms. Though he has much to brag about, he remains modest and very open. He is an excellent role model for all of his fans, young and old alike! His music has inspired many to grow closer to Islam. His work with Islamic Relief has helped many, and his efforts continue with the organization throughout the Islamic Relief Evening of Inspiration. His last appearance of the summer tour will take place in New Jersey.

To date the Islamic Relief Concerts have raised close to one million dollars with the help of passionate artists such as Robertson!
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Hamza Robertson

Out Landish

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[starttext] The story of Outlandish is an uplifting tale about three friends’ common adventure, which starts in the youth clubs and soccer fields of the western Copenhagen suburbs. A compelling tale of a band that has grown strong through a rare combination of hard work, friendship and the courage to explore new musical paths. At the same time, Outlandish is the story of a band that insists on the vantage point called “the world we live in,” and through subjective, grass-root musical narratives, tries make a difference. Quite a bit has happened since Lenny Martínez, Waqas Qadri and Isam Bachiri broke ground in 1997 to build Outlandish and begin a career together.

Official fusion cuisine

The first milestone along the route to today is the debut album Outland’s Official (2000), which was received with open arms by the public and the critics. “Walou,” “Wherever” and “Come On” became solid radio hits. The trio from the western suburbs reaped numerous music awards, were nominated for six Danish Music Awards and took the prize for Best Hip-Hop Album. The statuette that came with the honor stood in the homes of the band members’ respective parents, rotating from one home to another. It was, however, sporting a little top and skirt for a time because Waqas’ mother felt it was a bit risqué.

With the release of Outland’s Official Outlandish publicly unveiled a unique mode of thought and approach to creating modern music: A musical, socio-cultural melting pot heated by the hip-hop Lenny, Waqas and Isam had had a passion for since early youth. It was like a special type of fusion cuisine in which the fundamental ingredients were clearly American, but with dashes of spices that might be beats, samples and snatches of Arab pop, Bollywood soundtracks as well as Latin American rhythms. The lyrics were expressed in English, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic – and Danish. Or as Isam later painted a verbal picture: “I was in my room listening to Tupac, my mother was playing Moroccan folk music on the stereo down in the living room, and somewhere along the line the idea popped into my head, that I could unite the elements of my life in music.”

Crossing borders

The follow up, Bread & Barrels Of Water (2002), proved to be the band’s true break-through. Songs such as “Guantanamo” and “Aicha” became powerful locomotives that carried Outlandish to a position among the absolute heavyweights of Danish popular music. At the same time Outlandish indicated in Bread & Barrels Of Water that they are a band who refused to let the grass grow under their feet.

Thematically, the debut could safely be called the compilation of all the experiences posed by ethno-cultural differences during their early years, while the follow up was much more spiritual, introspective, and even the loyalty towards hip-hop -- the formative genre -- at times had to step aside for a new form of musical expression. With Bread & Barrels Of Water Outlandish took the initial steps into a world marked by a fascinating musical boldness and a personal, existential humility. This was accomplished, however, without moving away from hip-hop, nor from the self realization acquired by individuals from immigrant backgrounds.

In 2003 an international version of Bread & Barrels Of Water was released throughout most of Europe, in India, and in all of the Middle East and North Africa. So, Isam Bachiri, Lenny Martínez and Waqas Qadri – with, respectively, Moroccan, Cuban and Pakistani backgrounds – spend a longer period of time extensively touring Europe, along with numerous hops to the Middle East and India, where the album earned a gold record.

In motion

To be sure, it was a trio of well-traveled gentlemen who sat down at the studio console at the start of 2004 to begin recording a new album, now entitled Closer Than Veins. All the traveling really influenced the creation of Closer Than Veins. Waqas explains: “We were out there where things are happening. We met a big variety of different kinds of people, who live their lives in different ways, under a broad range of conditions. I believe it has helped us to see ourselves as human beings, as a part of the whole, as opposed to immigrants who are different from the world around them. It’s reflected in the way we address our lyrics and the way we make music ... “
When you hear entitled Closer Than Veins, you’ll know what he means. Outlandish has pulled out the tent stakes and moved their musical tent away from the shadow of hip-hop, where it has been until now. When you hear the 15 songs it will become clear that Outlandish is hardly stuck in a groove. The tent was deftly packed and then pitched amid all the genres and forms of expression in the world. The beauty and compelling appeal of the music bear witness to the creative self-confidence of the band members: 29-year-old Waqas, 28-year-old Isam and 30-year-old Lenny. From songs to rap and back to songs; from Outlandish’s own productions to tracks created in collaborations with other producers; from melancholy to the joys of life, as well as some social indignation – Outlandish displays more versatility than ever before. And the initial result is a fantastic third album.

Considering the quantum leaps the band has taken from album to album, it will be interesting to see how their music will leap into various areas of the world. One thing is sure: Outlandish has created its own definition of world music. And no matter how many differences there are in the world, the humble human being will be heartened, entertained and educated by listening to Outlandish.

Waqas Ali Qadri
Vocalist, Lyricist and Producer (raps in English and Urdu). Pakistani background. Born 1976 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Lenny Martínez
Vocalist and Lyricist (raps in Spanish). Cuban/Honduran background. Born 1974 in Honduras.

Isam Bachiri
Vocalist and Lyricist (sings and raps in English). Moroccan background. Born 1977 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Thanks to ayatkarim@hotmail.com for submitting the biography
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Out Landish

Sami Yusuf

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[starttext]Sami Yusuf is a British composer, singer and an accomplished musician. He was born in July 1980 into a musical family of Azeri origin, thus music played an integral part in his life.
Sami learnt to play several instruments at a very young age and gradually began to show a keen interest in singing and composing. He studied music at several institutions and with renowned composers and musicians including composers from the Royal Academy of Music in London, one of the world most prestigious music institutions.

Sami has been composing from a very young age and his beautiful voice is supplemented by his extensive knowledge of music theory and harmony. He has also a good understanding of the Middle Eastern modes (or Maqams).

Sami is a devout Muslim who sees songs as a means of promoting the message of love, mercy, peace and tolerance and encouraging the youth to be proud of their religion and identity.
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Sami Yusuf

Privacy Policy

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[starttext] Privacy Policy for nasheedtube.blogspot.com

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Privacy Policy