Ahmad Hussain
| Ahmad Hussain | |
|---|---|
| Native name | احمد حسین |
| Born |
9 November 1981 [1] Firth Park, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England |
| Origin | Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website |
www |
Ahmad Hussain (Urdu: احمد حسین; born 9 November 1981) is an English Nasheed singer-songwriter, executive, producer of Kashmiri-Pakistani descent. He is the founder and Managing Director of IQRA Promotions.
Early life
Hussain was born in Firth Park, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.[2] At an early age, Hussain started to explore his interest in music and performance.[1] As a child, he showed an interest in instruments, he had his own keyboard at the age of five and at school he was always keen to sing. He first visited a studio at the age of ten, when his elder brother, Abid Fazal, founded and managed Sheffield's first Asian community RSL.[3]
Recording career
Hussain produced many underground singles, and in 2003, he released a fusion album entitled Emotions on the Muzic Asia record label, the album was a blend of Eastern and Western musical influences and broke through to the mainstream music scene. Later that year, Hussain's elder sister, Shazia Hussain, died at age of 28 while participating in a sporting event in Middlesbrough.[3] This was a turning point in Hussain's life and prompted him to question his own life and he began searching for answers.[1] He left the mainstream music scene and found this genre of spiritual music.[3]
In 2004, Hussain began work to set up a chain of Islamic outlets to propagate Islam, he also set up IQRA Promotions in December 2005. In 2006, he produced Kamal Uddin's album Illallah. In 2008, he produced Wajid Akhtar's album Show Me the Way.[4]
In 2009, Hussain his debut single "Aye Khuda" was released which was number one on Noor TV's top ten charts in five consecutive weeks. In July 2010, his debut album I Turn to You was released, which features songs in Arabic, Urdu and English, along with his first music video "Children of the World".[4] In 2013, two singles and videos were released entitled "Ya Taiba", and "My Beloved"[1] which is a tribute for his mother who was diagnosed with cancer, notably the video was shot in the Cheshire home of Gary Barlow.[3] In June 2014, he released his second album entitled My Beloved was released,[2] which features songs in Urdu, Arabic and English[3] In August 2015, Husssain released a free download single entitled "Zara Chehre Se".
Hussain is also one of the three judges on Ummah Channel's show Ummah Talent.[4]
Performances, tours and media appearances
Hussain has travelled to countries around the world and performed in Turkey, South Africa, the U.S, Morocco, Dubai, Netherlands, Trinidad and Pakistan. He has performed alongside artists, including Maher Zain, Outlandish and speakers such as Attallah Shabazz (the daughter of Malcolm X).[1][5]
In April 2012, Hussain performed at the Evening of Inspiration event organised by Islamic Relief.[6]
In July 2013, he was interviewed by Raees Khan in the Desi Nation studio on BBC Radio Lancashire.[7] In October of the same year, he performed at the Global Peace and Unity Event in the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London organised by Islam Channel.[8]
In May 2014, he performed at the Islamic Circle of North America convention.[1] In November of the same year, he performed at the Sounds of Light event organised by Human Appeal International, which raised £520,000 for Gaza.[9]
Awards and nominations
In 2013, Hussain was nominated for Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the first Minority Business Awards.[10]
Discography
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Aye Khuda" | I Turn to You | |
| 2013 | "Ya Taiba" | I Turn to You | |
| 2013 | "My Beloved" | My Beloved | |
| 2015 | "Zara Chehre Se" | ||
Albums
| Title | Album details | Chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Turn to You |
|
||
| My Beloved |
|
||
Videography
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2009 | "Aye Khuda" |
| 2010 | "Children of the World" |
| 2011 | "I Turn to You" |
| 2013 | "Ya Taiba" |
| "My Beloved" | |
| 2014 | "Muhammad (PBUH)" |
| "Palestine" | |
| 2015 | "Hazir Hain Hum" |
| "To the Light" | |
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ahmad Hussain (Nasheed Artist)". ICNA Convention. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- 1 2 Khan, Aaliyah (August 2014). "Inspirational Nasheed singer launches new album" (113 ed.). Sheffield: Burngreave Messenger. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Ahmad Hussain" (62 ed.). Asian Chic. 6 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 December 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Abdullah Rolle, Ahmad Hussain & Labbayk will all be performing at the Eid Festival 2011". BMHC Eid Festival. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ↑ "Special Highlights - Souk 2012". Souk. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ↑ "Islamic Relief holds "Evening of Inspiration"". The Asians. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ↑ "Musician Ahmad Hussain". BBC Radio Lancashire. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ↑ "Ahmad Hussain". Global Peace and Unity. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ↑ Faridi, Hasan (4 November 2014). "Bradford raises £520,000 in Sounds Of Light fundraiser". West Yorkshire: The Yorkshire Standard. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ↑ Shields, Mike (23 May 2013). "Sheffield to host first Minority Business Awards". Business Link Magazine. Retrieved 1 December 2014.