Habib Qaderi

Infobox musical artist
Name = lang|Fa|حبيب قادري
Habib Qaderi
Background = goldenrod


Img_capt =
Birth_name = Habib Qaderi
Born = 1971, flagicon|Afghanistan Kabul, Afghanistan
Genre = Music of Afghanistan, Pop & Ghazal
Occupation = Singer, Composer, Songwriter & Producer
Instrument = Harmonium, Tabla, Keyboard, Accordian & Drums
Years_active = 1995–present
Label = Various

Habib Qaderi is a Persian (Tajik) singer from Kabul, Afghanistan. He is of the new generation exiled artists who’ve achieved fame outside of Afghanistan, and then subsequently exporting their work to their native country. Although widely popular in his homeland, he has not gone back to perform since gaining celebrity status. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California, from where he continues his music career.

Early years

Habib Qaderi, son of Sultan Aziz Qaderi, was born in 1971 in Afghanistan into a Tajik family. His father held a high-ranking position in the pre-communist government. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Habib’s family fled the country for India in 1983. At this time, he was in sixth grade at "Sheerno Junior High" in the Karte Parwan district of Kabul City. According to his account, it was in India that he became interested in music. Initially experimenting with tabla (Hand Drums), he learned the basics of this fundamental musical instrument and subsequently became familiar with harmonium.

In December 1985, Habib and his family moved to United States, settling in Los Angeles. In 1989, he graduated from Costa Mesa High School. In the intermittent four years, little is known of his entertainment involvements. After high school, his pursuit was to get an education in Management Information System. Additionally, he took many music classes in Orange Coast College. However, his passion for music reversed his priorities, and he began singing professionally, overruling his Orange Coast College plans.

Career

After performing at various private events, he finally recorded his first album "Chadar-e-Gulnaar" in 1995. Although not a huge commercial success, this album was nonetheless Habib’s formal entry into the music scene. At this time he accelerated his performances in weddings and concerts to achieve wider appeal. However it was not until his third album "Aros Gulha" (1998) that he gained notability. In this album, Habib invited the Iranian singer Leila Forouhar to sing the title song with him in a duet. Whether her contribution was the success factor or perhaps Habib’s talents is contested. Regardless, with the release of the breakthrough album "Golden Dream" (2001), he became an overnight superstar. The songs of this album became hit singles and were played on various TV and radio stations in Afghanistan.

With the album "Mehmaan-e-Yaar" (2003), his fame finally ripened into maturity. While Habib figured he had a successful album on his hands, he wanted to create a visual experience to go with the music. He joined TriVision Studios, who released the inspirational Ehsan Aman DVD a few years earlier, and created the DVD titled "Journey". "Journey" was an ambitious DVD project that took almost 3 years to complete and included a 90 minute documentary with 8 music videos from the "Mehmaan-e-Yaar" album along with concert material and behind-the-scenes footage all produced by TriVision Studios. "Mehmaan-e-Yaar" sold over one million copies in Afghanistan, and the companion DVD "Journey" is widely regarded as an important milestone in Afghan entertainment culture. His next album "For My People" {2006) was also a great success.

Habib Qaderi has recently finished working on his new short movie called "Kajak Abro" which is produced by Xtudio Productions and "Ramish Films". It was released early this year (2008). In March of 2008, he was awarded as Afghanistan´s most influential Persian-Speaking Artist of the year, among artists such as Farhad Darya, Haidar Salim, Ehsan Aman, Valy Hedjasi and Najim Nawabi. His beautiful "Praise Allah" song was awarded for the best religious song of the year. In March of 2008, he has released his latest album "CLOSER", which includes varity styles of music, such as Pop, R&B, Ghazal, and Folks. "Ariana Afghan TV" in Afghanistan awarded "Kajak Abro" Video, for the best music video of the year.

Habib recently collaborated with TriVision Studios once again to film the music video for the hit song "Sakina". The fast-paced HD production shot on location at TriVision Studios was released in October in celebration of Eid and was met with great critical acclaim.

Personal life

Habib Qaderi grew up in a family that consisted of four brothers (Qader, Faiz, Habib, and Hamid) and 2 sisters with Habib being the youngest of them all. His brother Faiz Qaderi is also a singer. Habib has never been married or engaged, yet.

Discography

Albums

* 1994: "Chadar-e-Gulnaar"
* 1998: "Sahil"
* 1997: "Aros-e-Gulha"
* 1999: "Golden Dream"
* 2002: "Mehmaan-e-Yaar"
* 2006: "For My People"
* 2008: "Closer"

Songs' rank

Videography

* 2005: The Journey, 2-Disc DVD Album from "Mehmaan-e-Yaar"
* 2008: Kajak Abro, Music Video from "Closer"
* 2008: Sakina, Music Video from "Closer'"

Awards

* 2003: Best Artist of the Year ("The Afghan-American Artist's Association of California")
* 2005: Awarded the most album sold by any Persian artist from Afghanistan and in it´s history (Maqdoor Ent. & Khorosan Music)
* 2008: Best Influential Artist of the Year (NOOR TV)
* 2008: Praise Allah was awarded the best Religious song of the year (NOOR TV)
* 2008: "Kajak Abro" was awarded the best video of the year ("Ariana Afghanistan TV")

References

title=The Sensational Habib Qaderi| periodical=Zeba Magazine| publication-place=United States| publisher=Aman Feda| issue= Jan./Feb. 2007| pages= 17-1| url=http://www.zebamagazine.com/

External links

* [http://www.habibqaderimusic.com/ Official website of Habib Qaderi]
* [http://www.virtualafghans.com/music/habib_qaderi/ Listen to Habib Qaderi's music]
* [http://www.eafghans.com/music/index.php?action=artist&id=24 Habib Qaderi songs on eAfghans.com]
* [http://www.afghanhits.com/new/album_page2.php?show_albums=habib&mohim=CD%20Cover%20Design Listen online to Habib Qaderi albums]
* [http://www.afghan0o.com/ Hear most of the song of Habib Qaderi]