Shahin Badar: Song is a tribute to Keith Flint

Shahin Badar

Double Platinum Award-winning singer Shahin Badar has released her latest track Ignition, part of Celt Islam's Acid Anarchist. "Celt Islam is a pioneer in electronic dance music. Ignition is based on genres like electronics, break-beat, and drum and bass. We decided to release this song as a tribute to [the late English singer] Keith Flint," says Badar of the former member of the electronic dance act, The Prodigy. Badar earned several accolades for an alaap section in The Prodigy's Smack my b''ch up (1997).

"Devoted Prodigy fans have appreciated the rendition, and we are humbled. The video was directed by Amjad Khan, who also helmed my last single, Laila."

Flint, who passed away in 2019, played an instrumental role in her career. "He was an icon of dance music. I miss his presence. I was invited to attend his last gig in Brixton. I will regret not attending it."

Badar is influenced by dance music. "Having been brought up in Kuwait, and subsequently in the UK, I was inspired by world music. I try and incorporate dance styles with a bit of Sufi music in my productions. I draw from various genres, but aim to create something eclectic; one that people can dance to. Experimenting with beats opened up new horizons for me, and opened doors to international [collaborations]."

Her upcoming release, Storm, is set for "a release by the end of the year".