Habib Wahid

Habib Wahid, better known as Habib, is a popular
Bangladeshi composer and musician. He is notable for his fusion of
traditional Bengali folk music with contemporary techno and urban
beats. He takes folk music and remixes with popular music forms.
He takes songs of composers like Hason Raja, Shah Abdul Karim, Amir
Uddin and others and remixes the tunes with Hip-hop, reggae, rap
and electronica.
Habib's father Ferdous
Wahid was one of the trailblazers of Bangla
pop music in the 1970s and 1980s. Habib started to pick up tunes
on his father's keyboard from the time he was a little boy. Later,
he studied music and audio engineering at the School of Audio Engineering
in London. During this time, he had the opportunity to work with
Asian Underground pioneer Nitin Sawhney among others.
Habib conceived his first folk-remix
album Krishno while he was still a student in London. "I had the concept and even the tracks
arranged..and was looking for a vocalist," he said. Kaya, the
vocalist Habib was looking for is a Sylheti restaurant owner in London
and amateur singer. The first few songs arising from their collaboration
proved to be unexpected hits on the underground scene, both in London
and in Dhaka. Krishno was a success when it was eventually released
in Bangladesh, its unique blend of age-old folk and modern electronica
introducing a radically new sound to the Dhaka music scene.
Since then, Habib has released two
more albums: Maya (2004) and Moyna Go (2005). Both have been bestsellers.
His latest Eid album
in Shono Habib features new voices in all his albums. Besides Kaya
he uses Helal, Julie, Konica,and Nirjhor. In the album, "Moyna
Go" Habib himself appears singing two new romantic songs. In "Moyna
Go" he also has his father, Ferdous Wahid singing a song and
a folk song sung by Milon Mahmood. Habib also has little rap, r&b,
hip-hop, and reggae type add-ins to songs that fit things like that
done by Kunle. Habib has established himself as one of the most popular
and promising young musicians in the country.In October 2006 Habib
released another album: Shono.
Habib is touring, with upcoming shows
in Toronto and Montreal. Habib's Canadian success is managed by
Feroz Haq, who is the founder of the
International Habib Fan Club (better known as I.H.F.C.). As Habib
continues to gain international success, his future goals include "bringing
the bohawk into the mainstream." Despite of Habib's popularity,
he remains to be extremely modest, calling his work "average
at best." However, fans disagree and they've graced him with
the nickname of "Voice Doctor (V.D)." For his contribution
of different type of music he is referred by some as "Bengali
A. R. Rahman", an obvious reference to A R Rahman, a South Asian
composer.
Audio Listings
Krishna (2003) - Habib featuring Kaya
01. Krishna - Kaya
02. Dayal Baba - Kaya
03. Ami Kuul Hara - Kaya
04. Kemone Bhulibo Ami - Kaya
05. Gaan Gai Amar - Kaya
06. Kala - Kaya
07. Aaj Pasha - Kaya
08. Din Gelo Din - Kaya
09. Krishna (Remix) - Kaya
10. Aaj Pasha (Instrumental)
Maya
(2004) - Habib featuring Kaya & Helal
01. Maya - Helal
02. Bondhua - Kaya & Kunle
03. Daya - Helal
04. Baula - Kaya
05. Mon Mojaiya - Helal
06. Asi Bole Gelo Bondhu (Krishna-2) - Kaya & Kunle
07. Loke Bole - Kaya
08. Sona Bondhe - Helal
09. Kuhu Sure Moner Agun - Helal
10. Achin Desher - Helal
11. Sona Bondhe - Kaya
12. Kanai - Kaya
13. Where's My Baby Gone? - Kunle & Kaya
Moina Go... (2005) - Habib
01. Moina Go - Julie
02. Ami Ek Paharadaar - Ferdous Wahid
03. Deshlai - Nirjhor
04. Din Gelo - Habib
05. Taarey Bhabley Ki Aar - Milon Mahmood
06. Esho Brishti Namai - Habib
07. Jaa Rey - Julie
08. Kobitayeh - Konica
09. Moina Go (Extended Mix) - Julie
10. Banglalink Theme
Shono! (2006) - Habib
01. Swapner Cheyeo Modhur - Habib
02. Jadu - Habib
03. Mon Muniya - Habib
04. Elomelo Mon - Habib
05. Projapoti - Habib
06. E Samoye - Habib
07. Calenderer Pata - Ferdous Wahid
08. Paran Pakhi - Habib
09. Ekhoni Nambe Brishti - Habib