Deeyah
Encyclopedia
Deeyah born August 7, 1977 in Oslo, Norway, is a Norwegian
singer,
music producer, composer
, film maker and human rights
activist of Punjabi
/Pashtun
descent. She adopted the name Deeyah in 2002. She is often called the “Muslim Madonna
”,
a term coined by the British press tabloid The Sun
.
Deeyah is a outspoken supporter of women's rights, freedom of expression and peace. She often uses social media like Myspace
and Facebook
to raise awareness of honour killings and other women centric issues. Since 2006/07, Deeyah no longer performs as an artist herself; she now produces projects that give voice to other artists.
She is the founder of Sisterhood
. Established in 2007 Deeyah's Sisterhood provides an outlet of artistic expression for young aspiring Muslim female artists across creative disciplines. Along with Freemuse http://freemuse.org/, she is the co-creator and co-producer of international compilation album Listen To The Banned which features banned and censored music artists from The Middle East
, Africa
and Asia
, released in 2010
in Oslo
, Norway
to Sunni Muslim parents.
Deeyah has a brother named Adil Khan
Her father is from the Punjab
province of Pakistan
and belongs to Thothal-Rajput
Caste
, while her mother is a Pashtun
from Afghanistan belonging to the Durrani
tribe.
At the time of her pregnancy, Deeyah's mother was only 18-years old and could not speak the Norwegian language
. She found a nurse in an elderly India
n woman(nanny) who helped her through her pregnancy and labour. The elderly lady picked the name Deepika for the child.
Proud of his familial tribal ancestry and heritage, Deeyah's father dropped his last name Hussain for Thathaal in his mid-20s when he migrated to Norway. Towards the end of 1970s, he established an organisation called the Rāga Music Society celebrating Rāga
, the most basic arrangement of notes in Pakistani classical music
, and to introduce Pakistani
artists and music styles to the Norwegian
musical and cultural sphere.
to teach music to young people. He ensured that music became an essential part of both of his children's upbringing and in 1984 entrusted his seven year old daughter under the supervision of Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan
. Deeyah studied Pakistani
and North Indian classical
forms of music under the grand maestro who would later declare her amongst his favourites.
Khan was aware of the talent the little girl held in herself and urged her to openly sing in public. The following year, at the age of eight, Deeyah made her first performance on national television appearing on the primetime show Halv Sju. She would later perform at various festivals and celebrated as the youngest performer at major music festivals. Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan
taught her the intricacies of the instruments used under the Patiala gharana
and Ghazal
, Thumri
and Khyal
forms of classical music. She would usually accompany other maestros on the tanpura, among them Zakir Hussain
, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
, Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan. Deeyah was also the member of NRK girls choir as well receiving some music lessons with the late African American soprano Anne Brown
. Deeyah also spent some years receiving further musical training from Ustad Sultan Khan. Deeyah is considered among the very few female students to train under the classical Pakistani music maestro ustad Bade fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Sultan Khan
. The former called her "a favourite"
She has been singing on national television since childhood. At the age of 12 she was invitied by Polygram Records producers to sing a duet with artist Anders Wyller, this collaboration becoming Deeyah's first studio recording experience. She was signed at the age of 13. Her talent was recognised nationally in 1992 when she sang at the opening ceremony for Norway
s
TV2
channel in front of an audience that included Åse Kleveland
then minister of culture and Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland
. At the age of 15 Deeyah's debut solo album I Alt Slags Lys was released under the Norway-based independent recording giant Kirkelig Kulturverksted
. The album was a fusion of Pakistani classical sounds with modern influences
and featured many a prominent ustads including her mentors. She also collaborated with Knut Reiersrud
, Reidar Skår, Paolo Vinaccia
, Audun Erlien, Ustad Sultan Khan and Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan from Pakistan
.
I Alt Slags Lys received broad critical acclaim. Talvin Singh
accompanied Deeyah on Tabla
on her national tour as a stand in for Ustad shaukat Hussain Khan who's health did not allow him to tour. It was at this point during Deeyah's early success that Norwegian-Pakistani community criticized her family encouragement of her musical career. The community felt it was inappropriate for a young Muslim woman to perform music.
/Arista
. This album was released under her birth name and was titled Deepika. The album was produced by Norwegian Tor Erik Hermansen, Tommy Tee
and English producer Nick Sillitoe.
The album received critical acclaim and produced chart success for Deeyah, giving her music video high rotation making her a prominent name in Norwegian mainstream music scene. One of the music videos from this album caused uproar among conservative Muslims who claimed Deeyah was misleading Muslim women by showing her uncovered back.
Her family continued to support her despite increased pressure and violent threats due to her growing presence in the media because of her music. Eventually, Deeyah faced these threats directly when several men tried to abduct her from school grounds to "talk to her". Intervention by several male students saved her from being taken away. A year later Deeyah was attacked on stage and sprayed with pepper gas during a live performance. At age of 16, after continued harassment and fearing for her family and personal safety, Deeyah left Norway
for United Kingdom
.
Two year later, Deeyah was given a recording contract by the Chairman of Warner Bros. Records
, Rob Dickens
. Few year later, when Rob Dickens has to leave the job, his recent signings (including Deeyah) were released from their contracts. A year after that Deeyah's manager, Steven Fargnoli, passed away from colon cancer. Deeyah was left on her own again.
, Deeyah has collaborated with artists, musicians and producers across musical genres from Pakistani folk to North Indian Classical, to Western Jazz
, Electronica
and chart Pop
music. Deeyah has been sampled by several artists on their album projects including Nils Petter Molvær
, Seb Taylor
, Novel
, Bonecrusher, Janet Jackson
(remix), Liquid Stranger
, Masaladosa, Mark Smith, Futility Orchestra, Guy Chambers
and Kaya Project.
and Zee Tv
. Controversy, reminiscent of her problems in Norway, immediately ensued
.
Seen to be "dancing seductively with a black man",
small parts of the local Muslim
community expressed outrage and put pressure on the channels to remove the video. Fearing similar violence she faced in Norawy, and after receiving threars, deeyah stopped plans for the release of her album.
The organisation that called for the banning of the Salman Rushdie satanic verses
in the UK, Muslim Council of Britain
questioned Deeyah's account of her threats and later accuse Deeyah of being a Hindu
because of her birth name of Deepika",
.
This was dispelled in a CNN
interview where Deeyah explained that she was named by a woman who had helped her mother during childbirth as well as deeyah's heritage being public in Norwegian media since she was eight year old.
. The music video for What Will It Be was filmed in Mumbai
, India
. In what was to become the infamous burkah to bikini
scene, the video spurred more outrage in the already sensitive Muslim community. Her video was banned by B4U
in England
after the network offices were threatened with violence.
What Will It Be was intended to make a statement about women's sexuality and their freedom of choice in anything they do in life.
.
In the video, Deeyah depicts two seemingly opposing images of morality and femininity: the burkah and the bikini.
Deeyah explained her personal stance to be that of “non-judgment”. She does not endorse either end of the spectrum, but rather points out the right of each woman to choose. Deeyah did not allow "What Will It Be" to be released, but after many requests from fans, made it available for limited digital download in the UK only.
.
What Will It Be
appears to be Deeyah's last stand with the conservative elements of the British and Norwegian Muslim community
. Deeyah left spotlight soon after the release in 2006. She refused to appear in the media and turned downs offers to continue her music career and moved to the United States
. Since then, Deeyah has not performed live or appeared in any music videos.
, The Police
guitarist Andy Summers
and Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvær
on her album Ataraxis.
. This album is a blend between Deeyah's Pakistani classical music training, folk styles from Pakistan
and Afghanistan
and electronica
.
The recording of Ataraxix was done via online file sharing since all the musical participants are based in different parts of the world.
Deeyah now takes a behind the scene role in her music projects, focusing instead on supporting and giving voice to others.
in 2007
.
Deeyah's goal with Sisterhood is to empower young Muslim women by giving them a platform to express their creativity through music and other art forms.
Sisterhood
is also widely seen to be a network of support for young creative Muslim women in dealing with their challenges both culturally and artistically. Sisterhood is an ongoing initiative and is today an organic movement consisting of young Muslim women based around the world especially in Europe and USA.
world, Africa
and Asia
.
As well as receiving critical acclaim Listen To The Banned album has peaked at number 6 on the World Music
Charts Europe
and spent months on these charts.
Together with Freemuse, Deeyah's aim with Listen To The Banned is to help give a voice to the voiceless and to promote freedom of creative and musical expression and to promote the work of Freemuse whom Deeyah has been a strong supporter of for several years.
Freemuse & Deeyah present Listen To The Banned is the first in a series of Listen To The Banned albums to be released in collaboration between Freemuse and Deeyah. Freemuse & Deeyah present Listen To The Banned released worldwide throughout 2010. The album is released through Grappa Musikkforlag in Norway, Proper Note in the UK and Valley Entertainment
in the USA. Amnesty International
in the UK is supporting Listen To The Banned by making the album available through their website end of 2010.
. It features the stories of young women globally who have lost their life in the name of family and community honour. It aims to include as many stories as possible of such cases to acknowledge what has happened to these women by raising awareness about the extent of the problem of honour killings
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
singer,
music producer, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, film maker and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
activist of Punjabi
Punjabi people
The Punjabi people , ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ), also Panjabi people, are an Indo-Aryan group from South Asia. They are the second largest of the many ethnic groups in South Asia. They originate in the Punjab region, which has been been the location of some of the oldest civilizations in the world including, the...
/Pashtun
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
descent. She adopted the name Deeyah in 2002. She is often called the “Muslim Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
”,
a term coined by the British press tabloid The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
.
Deeyah is a outspoken supporter of women's rights, freedom of expression and peace. She often uses social media like Myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
and Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
to raise awareness of honour killings and other women centric issues. Since 2006/07, Deeyah no longer performs as an artist herself; she now produces projects that give voice to other artists.
She is the founder of Sisterhood
Sisterhood (Network)
Sisterhood was established in 2007 by Norwegian artist and human rights activist Deeyah . Sisterhood is a network of young, aspiring Muslim female artists, spanning across creative disciplines and countries with a primary focus on Western born young Muslim women ....
. Established in 2007 Deeyah's Sisterhood provides an outlet of artistic expression for young aspiring Muslim female artists across creative disciplines. Along with Freemuse http://freemuse.org/, she is the co-creator and co-producer of international compilation album Listen To The Banned which features banned and censored music artists from The Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, released in 2010
Birth and ancestry
Deeyah was born Deepika Thathaal, at Ullevål University HospitalUllevål University Hospital
Ullevaal, Oslo University Hospital was opened in 1887. From January 1, 2009, the hospital is part of the Oslo University Hospital.Ullevål has more than 8,600 employees. 940 of them are doctors and 2,400 nurses. With a total of 1,200 beds Ullevål, admits some 45,000 patients per year and its...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
to Sunni Muslim parents.
Deeyah has a brother named Adil Khan
Adil Khan
Adil Khan is a Norwegian dancer and actor of Punjabi/Pashtun descent. Adil came to the limelight when he won Dansefeber,...
Her father is from the Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
province of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and belongs to Thothal-Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
Caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
, while her mother is a Pashtun
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
from Afghanistan belonging to the Durrani
Durrani
Durrani or Abdali is the name of a chief Pashtun tribal confederation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Originally known by their ancient name Abdali later as Durrani they have been called Durrani since the beginning of the Durrani Empire in 1747. The number of Durranis are estimated to be roughly 16%...
tribe.
At the time of her pregnancy, Deeyah's mother was only 18-years old and could not speak the Norwegian language
Norwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
. She found a nurse in an elderly India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n woman(nanny) who helped her through her pregnancy and labour. The elderly lady picked the name Deepika for the child.
Proud of his familial tribal ancestry and heritage, Deeyah's father dropped his last name Hussain for Thathaal in his mid-20s when he migrated to Norway. Towards the end of 1970s, he established an organisation called the Rāga Music Society celebrating Rāga
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
, the most basic arrangement of notes in Pakistani classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
, and to introduce Pakistani
Demographics of Pakistan
This article is about the demographic features of the population of Pakistan, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population....
artists and music styles to the Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
musical and cultural sphere.
Deeyah's music training
Deeyah's father was a music enthusiast. Through his musical organisation, he invited classical musical maestros from PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
to teach music to young people. He ensured that music became an essential part of both of his children's upbringing and in 1984 entrusted his seven year old daughter under the supervision of Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan
Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan
Bade Fateh Ali Khan Bade Fateh Ali Khan Bade Fateh Ali Khan (Urdu: استاد بڑے فتح علی خان (born 1935) is amongst the foremost Khyal vocalists alive today in Pakistan, and the last significant exponent of the Patiala Gharana (stylistic lineage)...
. Deeyah studied Pakistani
Music of Pakistan
The music of Pakistan includes diverse elements ranging from music from various parts of South Asia as well as Central Asian, Persian, Turkish, Arabic and modern day Western popular music influences...
and North Indian classical
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
forms of music under the grand maestro who would later declare her amongst his favourites.
Khan was aware of the talent the little girl held in herself and urged her to openly sing in public. The following year, at the age of eight, Deeyah made her first performance on national television appearing on the primetime show Halv Sju. She would later perform at various festivals and celebrated as the youngest performer at major music festivals. Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan
Ustad Bade Fateh Ali Khan
Bade Fateh Ali Khan Bade Fateh Ali Khan Bade Fateh Ali Khan (Urdu: استاد بڑے فتح علی خان (born 1935) is amongst the foremost Khyal vocalists alive today in Pakistan, and the last significant exponent of the Patiala Gharana (stylistic lineage)...
taught her the intricacies of the instruments used under the Patiala gharana
Patiala Gharana
The Patiala gharana is one of the most prominent gharanas of vocal Hindustani classical music. It was initially sponsored by the Maharaja of Patiala, Punjab, which was famous for ghazal, thumri, and khyal.-History:...
and Ghazal
Ghazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
, Thumri
Thumri
Thumri is a common genre of semi-classical Indian music.The text is romantic or devotional in nature, and usually revolves around a girl's love for Krishna. The lyrics are usually in Uttar Pradesh dialects of Hindi called Poorbi and Brij Bhasha...
and Khyal
Khyal
Khyal is the modern genre of classical singing in North India. Its name comes from an Arabic word meaning "imagination". It is thought to have developed out of the qawwali singing style. It appeared more recently than dhrupad, is a more free and flexible form, and it provides greater scope for...
forms of classical music. She would usually accompany other maestros on the tanpura, among them Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain (musician)
Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St...
, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
Shivkumar Sharma
Shivkumar Sharma is an Indian santoor player. The santoor is a folk instrument from Kashmir and Jammu. Sharma is often referred to by the title Pandit.-Early life:...
, Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan. Deeyah was also the member of NRK girls choir as well receiving some music lessons with the late African American soprano Anne Brown
Anne Brown
Anne Wiggins Brown was an African American soprano who created the role of "Bess" in the original production of George Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess in 1935. She was also a radio and concert singer...
. Deeyah also spent some years receiving further musical training from Ustad Sultan Khan. Deeyah is considered among the very few female students to train under the classical Pakistani music maestro ustad Bade fateh Ali Khan and Ustad Sultan Khan
. The former called her "a favourite"
Early Music Career
From the beginning of her career Deeyah has been called a limitless and ground-breaking artist.She has been singing on national television since childhood. At the age of 12 she was invitied by Polygram Records producers to sing a duet with artist Anders Wyller, this collaboration becoming Deeyah's first studio recording experience. She was signed at the age of 13. Her talent was recognised nationally in 1992 when she sang at the opening ceremony for Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
s
TV2
TV 2 (Norway)
TV 2 is the largest commercial television station in Norway. Over 30% of the time Norwegians spend watching TV is spent watching TV 2. The station has 65% of the market for TV commercials in Norway....
channel in front of an audience that included Åse Kleveland
Åse Kleveland
Åse Maria Kleveland is a Swedish-Norwegian singer and politician.A well-known folk singer and traditional guitarist in Norway, she was appointed Minister of Culture in Norway from 1990 to 1996, representing the Labour Party under the Gro Harlem Brundtland administration...
then minister of culture and Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland
Gro Harlem Brundtland
Gro Harlem Brundtland is a Norwegian Social democratic politician, diplomat, and physician, and an international leader in sustainable development and public health. She served three terms as Prime Minister of Norway , and has served as the Director General of the World Health Organization...
. At the age of 15 Deeyah's debut solo album I Alt Slags Lys was released under the Norway-based independent recording giant Kirkelig Kulturverksted
Kirkelig Kulturverksted
Kirkelig Kulturverksted is a Norwegian company and record label, founded in 1974 by Erik Hillestad. Among the musicians who have issued records on the label are Ketil Bjørnstad, Kari Bremnes, Erik Bye, Ole Paus, Sigvart Dagsland, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Knut Reiersrud, Deeyah and SKRUK....
. The album was a fusion of Pakistani classical sounds with modern influences
and featured many a prominent ustads including her mentors. She also collaborated with Knut Reiersrud
Knut Reiersrud
Knut Reiersrud is a Norwegian blues guitarist. His work also incorporates elements of Norwegian traditional music and African music. He lives in Oslo...
, Reidar Skår, Paolo Vinaccia
Paolo Vinaccia
Paolo Vinaccia is an Italian composer, jazz drummer and percussionist. He has lived in Norway since 1979.He has worked with Terje Rypdal, Bendik Hofseth, Jan Eggum, Knut Reiersrud and Jonas Fjeld to mention a few...
, Audun Erlien, Ustad Sultan Khan and Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan from Pakistan
.
I Alt Slags Lys received broad critical acclaim. Talvin Singh
Talvin Singh
Talvin Singh Matharoo , is a producer and composer and tabla player, known for creating an innovative fusion of Indian classical music and drum and bass...
accompanied Deeyah on Tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
on her national tour as a stand in for Ustad shaukat Hussain Khan who's health did not allow him to tour. It was at this point during Deeyah's early success that Norwegian-Pakistani community criticized her family encouragement of her musical career. The community felt it was inappropriate for a young Muslim woman to perform music.
Deepika (album)
Deeyah's second solo album came out in September 1995 under contract with BMGBMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
/Arista
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
. This album was released under her birth name and was titled Deepika. The album was produced by Norwegian Tor Erik Hermansen, Tommy Tee
Tommy Tee
Tommy Flaaten , best known by his stage name Tommy Tee, is a Norwegian record producer, rapper, broadcaster, record executive, concert promoter and magazine publisher. He is known as the godfather of Norwegian hip hop. Tee owns the label Tee Productions, which is located in Oslo, Norway and is...
and English producer Nick Sillitoe.
The album received critical acclaim and produced chart success for Deeyah, giving her music video high rotation making her a prominent name in Norwegian mainstream music scene. One of the music videos from this album caused uproar among conservative Muslims who claimed Deeyah was misleading Muslim women by showing her uncovered back.
Her family continued to support her despite increased pressure and violent threats due to her growing presence in the media because of her music. Eventually, Deeyah faced these threats directly when several men tried to abduct her from school grounds to "talk to her". Intervention by several male students saved her from being taken away. A year later Deeyah was attacked on stage and sprayed with pepper gas during a live performance. At age of 16, after continued harassment and fearing for her family and personal safety, Deeyah left Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
for United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Two year later, Deeyah was given a recording contract by the Chairman of Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, Rob Dickens
Rob Dickens
Rob Dickins, CBE is a member of the music industry, and currently holds a number of trustee and consultant positions in music and the arts in Britain. Dickins established himself at an early age at Warner Music UK...
. Few year later, when Rob Dickens has to leave the job, his recent signings (including Deeyah) were released from their contracts. A year after that Deeyah's manager, Steven Fargnoli, passed away from colon cancer. Deeyah was left on her own again.
Deeyah collaborations and being sampled
During her time in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Deeyah has collaborated with artists, musicians and producers across musical genres from Pakistani folk to North Indian Classical, to Western Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, Electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
and chart Pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
music. Deeyah has been sampled by several artists on their album projects including Nils Petter Molvær
Nils Petter Molvær
Nils Petter Molvær also known as NPM is a Norwegian jazz trumpeter, composer, and producer. Molvær is considered a pioneer in fusing jazz and electronic music, showcased on his best-selling album Khmer, released by the German record label ECM in October 1997 in Europe and early 1998 in North...
, Seb Taylor
Seb Taylor
Sebastian James Taylor is a composer & producer based in London, UK. He is a core member of the world music duo Angel Tears.Most widely known for his electronic music projects, Shakta, Digitalis, and Kaya Project which cover styles as diverse as Breakbeat, World Music, PsyTrance & more Orchestral...
, Novel
Novel (musician)
Alonzo Mario Stevenson, professionally known as Novel, is an American hip-hop artist based in Los Angeles, California. He is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer...
, Bonecrusher, Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
(remix), Liquid Stranger
Liquid Stranger
Martin Stääf , aka Liquid Stranger, is a Swedish-born electronic musician, described by Generation Bass as ”the epitome of Transnational Dubstep covering everything from Latin, Asian, Eastern European and Jamaican Dancehall dubs.” Martin Stääf is known for his experimental approach to composition...
, Masaladosa, Mark Smith, Futility Orchestra, Guy Chambers
Guy Chambers
Guy Chambers is an English songwriter and record producer, perhaps best known for his long partnership with Robbie Williams.- Biography :...
and Kaya Project.
Plan of My Own
Two year following the passing of her manager, Deeyah managed to finish an album in her own home studio. Her first single "Plan of My Own" went to number one on The Box, receiving high rotation on several music channels as well as the Asian music channels B4U MusicB4U Music
B4U Music is a music-themed digital TV channel available on more than 8 different satellites, in more than 100 countries including the USA, UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius, Canada and India...
and Zee Tv
Zee TV
Zee TV is an India-based satellite television channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, which broadcasts various programmes in Hindi and other regional languages of India. Broadcasting is also present in various nations of South Asia, Europe, the Middle East,...
. Controversy, reminiscent of her problems in Norway, immediately ensued
.
Seen to be "dancing seductively with a black man",
small parts of the local Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community expressed outrage and put pressure on the channels to remove the video. Fearing similar violence she faced in Norawy, and after receiving threars, deeyah stopped plans for the release of her album.
The organisation that called for the banning of the Salman Rushdie satanic verses
Satanic Verses
The Satanic Verses was a purported incident where a small number of apparently pagan verses were temporarily included in the Qur'an by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, only to be later removed...
in the UK, Muslim Council of Britain
Muslim Council of Britain
The Muslim Council of Britain is a self-appointed umbrella body for national, regional, local and specialist organisations and institutions from different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds within British Islamic society. It was established in 1997 to help Muslims, to increase education about the...
questioned Deeyah's account of her threats and later accuse Deeyah of being a Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
because of her birth name of Deepika",
.
This was dispelled in a CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
interview where Deeyah explained that she was named by a woman who had helped her mother during childbirth as well as deeyah's heritage being public in Norwegian media since she was eight year old.
What Will It Be?
With growing frustration and anger towards the orthodox segments of the Muslim community, Deeyah responded with the song and music video What Will It BeWhat Will It Be
"What Will It Be" is an award winning limited edition digital single by Deeyah, featuring guest performance rap by LA rapper and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas voice talent Young Maylay...
. The music video for What Will It Be was filmed in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. In what was to become the infamous burkah to bikini
Bikini
The bikini is typically a women's two-piece swimsuit. One part of the attire covers the breasts and the other part covers the crotch and part of or the entire buttocks, leaving an uncovered area between the two. Merriam–Webster describes the bikini as "a woman's scanty two-piece bathing suit" or "a...
scene, the video spurred more outrage in the already sensitive Muslim community. Her video was banned by B4U
B4U Music
B4U Music is a music-themed digital TV channel available on more than 8 different satellites, in more than 100 countries including the USA, UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius, Canada and India...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
after the network offices were threatened with violence.
What Will It Be was intended to make a statement about women's sexuality and their freedom of choice in anything they do in life.
.
In the video, Deeyah depicts two seemingly opposing images of morality and femininity: the burkah and the bikini.
Deeyah explained her personal stance to be that of “non-judgment”. She does not endorse either end of the spectrum, but rather points out the right of each woman to choose. Deeyah did not allow "What Will It Be" to be released, but after many requests from fans, made it available for limited digital download in the UK only.
.
What Will It Be
What Will It Be
"What Will It Be" is an award winning limited edition digital single by Deeyah, featuring guest performance rap by LA rapper and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas voice talent Young Maylay...
appears to be Deeyah's last stand with the conservative elements of the British and Norwegian Muslim community
. Deeyah left spotlight soon after the release in 2006. She refused to appear in the media and turned downs offers to continue her music career and moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Since then, Deeyah has not performed live or appeared in any music videos.
Ataraxis
In 2007, Deeyah collaborated with grammy award winning pianist Bob JamesBob James (musician)
Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date...
, The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
guitarist Andy Summers
Andy Summers
Andy Summers is an English guitarist born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. Best known as the guitarist for rock band The Police, he has also recorded twelve solo albums, collaborated with many other artists, toured extensively under his own name, published several books, and composed...
and Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvær
Nils Petter Molvær
Nils Petter Molvær also known as NPM is a Norwegian jazz trumpeter, composer, and producer. Molvær is considered a pioneer in fusing jazz and electronic music, showcased on his best-selling album Khmer, released by the German record label ECM in October 1997 in Europe and early 1998 in North...
on her album Ataraxis.
. This album is a blend between Deeyah's Pakistani classical music training, folk styles from Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
.
The recording of Ataraxix was done via online file sharing since all the musical participants are based in different parts of the world.
Deeyah now takes a behind the scene role in her music projects, focusing instead on supporting and giving voice to others.
Sisterhood
Deeyah established SisterhoodSisterhood (Network)
Sisterhood was established in 2007 by Norwegian artist and human rights activist Deeyah . Sisterhood is a network of young, aspiring Muslim female artists, spanning across creative disciplines and countries with a primary focus on Western born young Muslim women ....
in 2007
.
Deeyah's goal with Sisterhood is to empower young Muslim women by giving them a platform to express their creativity through music and other art forms.
Sisterhood
Sisterhood (Network)
Sisterhood was established in 2007 by Norwegian artist and human rights activist Deeyah . Sisterhood is a network of young, aspiring Muslim female artists, spanning across creative disciplines and countries with a primary focus on Western born young Muslim women ....
is also widely seen to be a network of support for young creative Muslim women in dealing with their challenges both culturally and artistically. Sisterhood is an ongoing initiative and is today an organic movement consisting of young Muslim women based around the world especially in Europe and USA.
Listen To The Banned
In collaboration with The World Forum on Music and Censorship FREEMUSE Deeyah has compiled and co-produced a music album featuring banned and censored artists from the MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
world, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
As well as receiving critical acclaim Listen To The Banned album has peaked at number 6 on the World Music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
Charts Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and spent months on these charts.
Together with Freemuse, Deeyah's aim with Listen To The Banned is to help give a voice to the voiceless and to promote freedom of creative and musical expression and to promote the work of Freemuse whom Deeyah has been a strong supporter of for several years.
Freemuse & Deeyah present Listen To The Banned is the first in a series of Listen To The Banned albums to be released in collaboration between Freemuse and Deeyah. Freemuse & Deeyah present Listen To The Banned released worldwide throughout 2010. The album is released through Grappa Musikkforlag in Norway, Proper Note in the UK and Valley Entertainment
Valley Entertainment
Valley Entertainment is a United States music distributor and independent record label based in New York City. The company was founded in 1996 by Barney Cohen, president and CEO. In 2001, they acquired the prestigious back catalogue of space, ambient, and New Age music from Hearts of Space Records...
in the USA. Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
in the UK is supporting Listen To The Banned by making the album available through their website end of 2010.
Memini
Deeyah founded Memini in early 2011, a digital memorial for the victims of honour killings worldwide. Memini means ‘remembrance’ in LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
. It features the stories of young women globally who have lost their life in the name of family and community honour. It aims to include as many stories as possible of such cases to acknowledge what has happened to these women by raising awareness about the extent of the problem of honour killings
Film About Honour Killings
Deeyah has been active in raising awareness of honour killings for several years. Since early 2009 she is directing a documentary film about honour killings scheduled for release in 2011.Activism
- Deeyah is a vocal supporter of ICAHK (International Campaign Against Honour Killings).
- Deeyah is a patron of Ashram women's shelter in BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
UK. - Deeyah is a supporter of Freemuse's appeal to Turkish Prime Minister standing in solidarity with Ferhat TunçFerhat TuncFerhat Tunç is a Zaza musician from Turkey.The Turkish kurdish Alevi singer Ferhat Tunç was born in 1964 in the city of Tunceli, in Turkey's eastern Province of Tunceli ....
.
- Deeyah is a supporter of the International Coalition for Women's Rights, Manifesto of Liberation of Women in Iran.
- Deeyah is a supporter of the "Iran Solidarity Movement".
- Deeyah is a signatory and supporter of the One Law For All Campaign (No to faith-based arbitration! No to Sharia family law).
- Deeyah is a supporter and signatory on the "Manifesto of the Third Camp Against US Militarism and Islamic Terrorism".
- Deeyah is a participant and supporter of the Yeh Hum NaheenYeh hum naheenYeh Hum Naheen is a movement started against terrorism across the world...
initiative. - Deeyah was the judge for Maryam NamazieMaryam NamazieMaryam Namazie is a human rights activist, commentator and broadcaster. Namazie has served as the executive director of the International Federation of Iranian Refugees. She is spokesperson for the One Law for All Campaign against Sharia Law in Britain. The campaign is opposed to faith based laws...
's One Law For All Art competition along with other judges Philosopher AC Grayling, Journalist and Columnist Polly ToynbeePolly ToynbeePolly Toynbee is a British journalist and writer, and has been a columnist for The Guardian newspaper since 1998. She is a social democrat and broadly supports the Labour Party, while urging it in many areas to be more left-wing...
.
Awards
- Rikskonsertene Award given to Deeyah for musical contributions to Norwegian society and cultural diversity. Deeyah has done several projects with Rikskonsertene performing for school children and being a part of teaching music workshops to students. Deeyah's images and participation has often been used in the Norwegian education system.
- The Norwegian Pakistan W.W. Union Award, which was given to Deeyah to honor her for her musical and artistic contribution and for being a positive role model for children and youth.
- The Scheiblers Legat, presented to Deeyah an Honor Award for being a cultural bridge, for creating understanding and tolerance through her musical and artistic contributions.
- In 2006, one of Deeyah's music videos was used as part of an art exhibition at The Stedelijk MuseumStedelijk MuseumFounded in 1874, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is a museum for classic modern and contemporary art in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It has been housed on the Paulus Potterstraat, next to Museum Square Museumplein and to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw, in Amsterdam Zuid...
where leading national and international theorists, critics and artists address topical issues in contemporary visual culture. - In 2009 Deeyah was awarded with the international Freedom to Create Prize alongside Cont MhlangaCont MhlangaCont Mdladla Mhlanga is a Zimbabwean playwright, actor and theatre director. He is also the founder and head of the Amakhosi Theatre Productions company, formed in 1982....
, The Zimbabwean playwright and Belarus Free TheatreBelarus Free TheatreBelarus Free Theatre is a Belarusian underground theatre group.Under the current political system the Belarus Free Theatre has no official registration, no premises, nor any other facilities...
for What Will It BeWhat Will It Be"What Will It Be" is an award winning limited edition digital single by Deeyah, featuring guest performance rap by LA rapper and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas voice talent Young Maylay...
and SisterhoodSisterhoodSisterhood may refer to:* Sibling, sisters and brothers* Sorority, a social organization for undergraduate students* Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, a novel by Rebecca Wells* The Sisterhood, a short-lived English goth band...
.
Albums
- In All Kinds of Light as Deepika 1992
- Deepika as Deepika 1996
- Plan of My Own (album) 2005 (Unreleased/Shelved)
- Ataraxis as Deeyah 2007/2008 (Heilo/Grappa Records)
Singles
- "Get Off My Back" 1995
- "History" 1996
- "Plan Of My Own" / "I Saw You" 2005 - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#37 - "What Will It BeWhat Will It Be"What Will It Be" is an award winning limited edition digital single by Deeyah, featuring guest performance rap by LA rapper and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas voice talent Young Maylay...
" 2006 Download Only
Other Musical Collaborations
- Deeyah appears on the Liquid StrangerLiquid StrangerMartin Stääf , aka Liquid Stranger, is a Swedish-born electronic musician, described by Generation Bass as ”the epitome of Transnational Dubstep covering everything from Latin, Asian, Eastern European and Jamaican Dancehall dubs.” Martin Stääf is known for his experimental approach to composition...
album: The Intergalactic Slapstick released in 2009 - Deeyah appears on the Seb TaylorSeb TaylorSebastian James Taylor is a composer & producer based in London, UK. He is a core member of the world music duo Angel Tears.Most widely known for his electronic music projects, Shakta, Digitalis, and Kaya Project which cover styles as diverse as Breakbeat, World Music, PsyTrance & more Orchestral...
Kaya Project album 'And So It Goes' released in 2008 - Deeyah provides backing vocals on 'Yeh Hum Naheen' in 2007
- Deeyah appears on Paul OakenfoldPaul OakenfoldPaul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
's Perfecto Chills in 2004. - Deeyah appears as Deepika on Dario GDario GDario G is the name of a dance music trio from Crewe, Cheshire, England. Despite popular belief the group are not named after the manager of Crewe Alexandra, Dario Gradi but changed their name from Dario to Dario G after being threatened with legal action from an artist of the same name...
album Sunmachine released in 1998. - Deeyah appears as Deepika (backing vocals) on Vande Mataram by A. R. RahmanA. R. RahmanAllah Rakha Rahman is an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and philanthropist. Described as the world's most prominent and prolific film composer by Time, his works are notable for integrating eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres and...
in 1997. - Deeyah appears as Deepika Thathaal on 'The Sweet Sunny North: Henry Kaiser and David LindleyDavid Lindley (musician)David Perry Lindley is an American musician who is notable for his work with Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, and other rock musicians. He has worked extensively in other genres as well, performing with artists as varied as Curtis Mayfield and Dolly Parton...
in Norway' in 1994. - Deeyah appears as Deepika Thathaal on Jan GarbarekJan GarbarekJan Garbarek is a Norwegian tenor and soprano saxophonist, active in the jazz, classical, and world music genres. Garbarek was born in Mysen, Norway, the only child of a former Polish prisoner of war Czesław Garbarek and a Norwegian farmer's daughter...
/Ustad Fateh Ali Khan Ragas and SagasRagas and SagasRagas and Sagas is an album by Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek, featuring Ustad Fateh Ali Khan and musicians from Pakistan released on the ECM label in 1992.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Mark W. B...
in 1990 - Deeyah appears as Deepika Thathaal on Anders Wyller's: Fathers Land 1991
- Additional Deeyah Musical Collaborations through the years have been with: Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan, Talvin SinghTalvin SinghTalvin Singh Matharoo , is a producer and composer and tabla player, known for creating an innovative fusion of Indian classical music and drum and bass...
, Rick NowelsRick NowelsRichard Wright Nowels Jr. is a Grammy / Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter/producer who has worked with many of the most vibrant artists in contemporary music...
, Adrian SherwoodAdrian SherwoodAdrian Sherwood is an English record producer best known for his work with dub music as well as for remixing a number of popular acts such as Coldcut, Depeche Mode, The Woodentops, Primal Scream, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sinéad O'Connor, and Skinny Puppy...
, Don CherryDon CherryDon Cherry may refer to:* Don Cherry hockey player, coach, and commentator* Don Cherry , trumpeter* Don Cherry...
, Bonecrusher, Guy SigsworthGuy SigsworthGuy Sigsworth is a U.K. based composer, producer and songwriter. In his career to date he has worked with many famous artists, including Seal, Björk, Goldie, Madonna, Britney Spears, Kate Havnevik, Bebel Gilberto, Mozez, David Sylvian and Alanis Morissette...
, Martyn WareMartyn WareMartyn "Teddy Bear" Ware is a British musician and music producer. He is the chairman of a local football team: PPA. As a founder member of both The Human League and Heaven 17, he was partly responsible for hit records such as "Being Boiled" and "Temptation"...
, Nick Sillitoe, Inder Matharu Goldfinger, Ustad Nazim Ali Khan, late bassist and producer Mark Smith, Guy ChambersGuy ChambersGuy Chambers is an English songwriter and record producer, perhaps best known for his long partnership with Robbie Williams.- Biography :...
, Brian WestBrian West (musician)Brian West was the lead guitarist for the Canadian band The Philosopher Kings. His partner, Gerald Eaton began the record label Track and Field Records after they were nominated for several awards as a production duo under the name of Track and Field...
, Tommy TeeTommy TeeTommy Flaaten , best known by his stage name Tommy Tee, is a Norwegian record producer, rapper, broadcaster, record executive, concert promoter and magazine publisher. He is known as the godfather of Norwegian hip hop. Tee owns the label Tee Productions, which is located in Oslo, Norway and is...
, Tor Erik Hermansen, Billy SteinbergBilly SteinbergWilliam Endfield "Billy" Steinberg is an American songwriter. He has achieved most of his success as part of a song writing team, most notably with Tom Kelly. He has also co-written several hit songs with Rick Nowels.-Biography:...
, Nils Petter Molvaer and Wera SætherWera SætherWera Sæther is a Norwegian psychologist, poet, novelist, essayist, writer of books for youth and of documentary books. She made her literary debut in 1974 with the poetry collection Barnet og brødet. Sæther was awarded the Gyldendal's Endowment in 1979 . She was awarded the Dobloug Prize in...
.
See also
- Pakistani pop musicPakistani pop musicPakistani pop music refers to popular music forms in Pakistan. Pakistani pop is a mixture of traditional Pakistani classical music and western influences of jazz, rock and roll, hip-hop and disco sung in various languages of Pakistan, including Urdu language...
- Norwegians of Pakistani descentNorwegians of Pakistani descentPakistani Norwegians are Norwegians of Pakistani descent. First generation Pakistani Norwegians, who migrate from Pakistan, are distinguished from the mainstream in several demographic aspects, while second generation Pakistani Norwegians, who are born in Norway, are well-established in Norway and...
- Women's rightsWomen's rightsWomen's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
- Women and Islam
- Islamic feminismIslamic feminismIslamic feminism is a form of feminism concerned with the role of women in Islam. It aims for the full equality of all Muslims, regardless of gender, in public and private life. Islamic feminists advocate women's rights, gender equality, and social justice grounded in an Islamic framework...
Interviews
- Joel Whitney interviews Deeyah in Guernica MagazineGuernica MagazineGuernica / A Magazine of Art and Politics is a biweekly online site that publishes art and photography, fiction, and poetry, from around the world, along with nonfiction such as letters from abroad, investigative pieces and opinion pieces on international affairs and U.S. domestic policy...
- EthnicNow Interview
- Freemuse interviews DEEYAH
- PerContra talks to the Muslim Madonna
- Deeyah interview by Ashanti OMkar
- Distance No Object by Jostein Pedersen
- Music star Deeyah speaks pride and multiculturalism in Norway by Eva Fernández Ortiz