Many are not familiar with Deeyah’s musical achievements because unfortunately most have only heard about the heart breaking controversy that has surrounded Deeyah for many years now. As a result of catching the attention of the media in England, America and the rest of the world her extraordinary talent and exceptional musical achievements to date, have been overlooked.

Early Years, is a section on DeeyahPoint where you will be able to find out more about Deeyah from the beginning of her career in Norway documented with as much information and news articles/scans that we could find.

Deeyah’s musical career in Norway

- She appeared for the first time on Norwegian national TV when she was 7 or 8 years old singing on one of the most popular children’s shows at the time.

- Numerous TV and concert performances followed.

- She appeared on Anders Wyller’s album Father’s Land

- She appeared on the album Ragas and Sagas with Jan Garbarek, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Nazim Ali Khan and Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan (musicians from Pakistan).

- She got signed at age 14 and releases her first solo album at age 15. The album was with the best of the best. Highly regarded musicians, Knut Reiersrud, Audun Erlien, Reidar Skår, Paolo Vinaccia, Ustad Sultan Khan and Sutad Shaukat Hussain Khan.

- She did a nationwide tour with these musicians and was accompanied on tablas for her tour by Talvin Singh.

- She quickly became media and music critics’ darling winning rave reviews for her recordings and performances.

- She joined the project Klangrikt Felleskap with the prestigious Rikskonsertene in Norway doing workshops and concerts for school children in Norway to fight racism and to build cultural tolerance and understanding. She was accompanied by some of the best musicians and artists from around the world. She did several tours with this project.

- She signed to BMG and released her 2nd solo album which also was a critically acclaimed album. With this album Deeyah truly become a big celebrity in Norway.

- She performed sold out concerts, performed for the royalty, prime ministers, diplomat and politicians.

- She met with the late great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (the world’s most popular qawalli singer) who asked Deeyah in front of newspapers to sing and perform with him she declined saying she was too much of a fan and did not feel worthy of sharing a stage with the great master. Khan insisted she promise that she would perform with him at some point in her career.

- In London she was head hunted by Don Black the music writer for the musical Bombay Dreams, she was their first choice because of her ability to both perform Asian music styles with ease and English vocals, but she turned down the offer. She was also offered to be the vocalist for electronica outfits like 1GiantLeap which she also passed on due to other recording commitments.

- Over the years Deeyah has performed alongside and collaborated with true greats like Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Sultan Khan, Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan, AttaUllah Khelvi, Ustad Nazim Ali Khan, Hamid Ali Khan, Assad Ali Khan, Amjad Ali Khan, Zakir Hussain Khan, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Trilok Gurtu, Talvin Singh, Naná Vasconcelos, Don Cherry, Ian Mussington, Rick Nowels, Billy Steinberg, Ase Klevland, Dan Børge, Knut Reiersrud,Tor Erik Hermansen, Nick Sillitoe, Inder Goldfinger, Martin Ware, John Reynolds, Bally Sagoo, Adrian Sherwood, Dario G, Paul Oakenfold, Iver Kleive, DJ Darknorse, Guy Sigsworth, AR Rehman, David Lindley and many many more. Deeyah remains a sought after vocalist being requested for her unique vocal ability to lend her vocal style to acts from Morten Harket, Bonecrusher, Sly & Robbie, Janet, Ludacris and by various house and dance outfits, rock, world music and hip hop acts alike.