Shakoor, Nadirah

She is a singer-songwriter born in San Antonio, Texas, and who grew up in Los Angeles from the time she was seven years old. Her father, who played the guitar and trumpet and sang, gave her first lessons in harmonizing when she was around 5 years old.

She was the lead singer of Arrested Development between 1992 and 1995 and after leaving them on their disbandment, joined up with Jimmy Buffett as a member of his Coral Reefer Band, who has remained with them until present day.

Often called on to work with other artists she has appeared on tours and/or on recordings by Paula Abdul, Philip Bailey, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, Madonna, Ralph McDonald and Jody Watley to name but a few.

Working as a solo artist, often backed by her band Outside Art, she has released several dance club singles and also the albums Soul Power, Nadirah Songs, Winds of Karma and Obsessed With Peace Vol. 1. Other CD recordings she appears on include the Grammy nominated Zingalamaduni by Arrested Development, Licence to Chill, Banana Wind, Paddlin Out and Meet Me in Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett, Forever Tams by The Tams, Funky As a Diaper by Uncle Jim (Jim Mayer), Club Trini by Michael Utley & Robert Greenidge.

As a songwriter her song “Breakaway” features in the movie Dark Places and her “Purpose To Be” in At First Sight.

She was also honoured with the Artist for a Better World Humanitarian Award in 2005 and the Youth Award in 2006.

Sources:

Shakoor, Nadirah

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