Saba Bank in the Caribbean Netherlands is the largest submarine atoll in the Atlantic Ocean and has some of the richest diversity of marine life in the Caribbean Sea.

Its northeastern side lies about 4.3 km southwest of the island of Saba. It is raised about 1000 m above the general depths of the surrounding sea floor. With a length of 60 to 65 km and a width of 30 to 40 km, the atoll's total surface area is approximately 2200 km², as measured from 11-200 metre depth, 1600 km² of which is shallower than 50 m.

From northeast the bank extends about 55 km southwest, with a least reported depth of 7.3 m located about 15 km southwest of Mount Scenery. A depth of 8.2 m lies about 16 km south of the island. The eastern side of the bank is fringed with a ridge of living coral, sand and rock, nearly 48 km in length. The depths over the ridge range from 11 to 35 m. Westward of this ridge, except for a few 16.5 m and 18.3 m coral patches near the south side of the bank, and a 16.4 m patch near the west end of the bank, the bottom is clear white coral sand with depths of from 21.9 to 36.6 m, gradually increasing towards the edge of the bank, but ending abruptly in depths of 54.9 m. In depths of under 20 m, the bottom can be distinctly seen.

About one third of the Saba Bank lies within the Saba territorial waters, zone. Around it is an Exclusive Economic Zone of the Netherlands of 200 nautical miles outside the coastal baseline, which replaced the Economic Fisheries Zone established before the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.

External links

PLoS ONE: Biodiversity of Saba Bank

Sailing Directions, Caribbean Sea, Vol. I

Government Environmental Information

Category:Landforms of the Netherlands Category:Geography of Saba

fy:Sababank nl:Sababank

Coordinates	15°48′00″N47°54′00″N
conventional long name	Saba
common name	Saba
image coat	Saba wapen.svg
national motto	''"Remis Velisque"'' (Latin)''"With oars and sails"'' (English)
national anthem	''"Saba you rise from the ocean"''
official languages	Dutch, English
government type	''See Politics of the Netherlands''
leader title1	Lt. Governor
leader name1	Jonathan Johnson
sovereignty type	Constitutional monarchy
sovereignty note	Part of the Netherlands
capital	The Bottom
largest city	The Bottom
area magnitude	1_E12
area km2	13
area sq mi	5
population census	1,424
population census year	2004
population census	2,000
population census year	2010
population density km2 (2004)	104
population density sq mi (2004)	285
population density km2 (2010)	123
utc offset	-4
time zone	-4
currency	US dollar
currency code	USD
cctld	.an, .nl
calling code	599 }}

Saba () is a Caribbean island and the smallest special municipality (officially ''public body'') of the Netherlands. It consists largely of the potentially active volcano Mount Scenery (877 m), the highest point of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Netherlands proper.

Saba, including the islet of Green Island, became a special municipality within the country of the Netherlands after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010.

The island has a land area of 13 km² (5 sq. miles). At the 2001 Netherlands Antilles census, the population was 1,349 inhabitants, which means a population density of 104 inhabitants per km². In 2004 the population was estimated at 1,424 inhabitants. Its current major towns and settlements include The Bottom, Windwardside, Hell's Gate and St. Johns.

As the island is part of the Netherlands, Dutch is the official language. Despite the island's Dutch affiliation, English is the principal language spoken on the island and has been used in its school system since the 19th century. English can therefore be used in communication of and to the government although there is a local dialect. Since January 1, 2011, the U.S. dollar has been the official currency, replacing the Netherlands Antillian Guilder.

Saba is home to the Saba University School of Medicine, which was established by American expatriates in coordination with the Netherlands government. The school adds over 300 residents when classes are in session, and it is the prime educational attraction. A.M. Edwards Medical Center is the major provider of healthcare for local residents.

History

The origin of the name "Saba" is often mistakenly believed to be derived from the Arawak Indian word for "rock", which was "siba". However, the true source of the name Saba \s(a)- ba\ is of Greek and Arabic (colloquial Arabic Saba سابا and classical Arabic سبأ ) origin, and its meaning is from Sheba: "morning". Saba refers to the Biblical queen of Sheba. Christopher Columbus is said to have sighted Saba on November 13, 1493, but he did not land, as the island's perilously rocky shores were a major deterrent to Columbus and his crew. In 1632 a group of shipwrecked Englishmen landed upon Saba; they stated they found the island uninhabited when they were rescued. However, there has been some evidence found indicating that Carib or Arawak Indians may have been on the island.

In 1635 a stray Frenchman claimed Saba for Louis XIII of France and around the year 1640, the Dutch Governor of the neighboring island of St. Eustatius sent people over to colonize the island for the Dutch West India Company. In 1664, these settlers were evicted to St. Maarten by Thomas Morgan, The Netherlands have been in continuous possession of Saba since 1816 after numerous flag changes (British-Dutch-French) during the previous centuries.

In the 17th and 18th centuries its major industries were sugar and rum, and later fishing, particularly lobster fishing. In the 17th century Saba was believed to be a favorable hideout for Jamaican pirates. England also deported its "undesirable" people to live in the Caribbean colonies. They too became pirates, taking haven on Saba. The most notable native Saban pirate was Hiram Beakes, who famously quipped, "Dead men tell no tales." Legitimate sailing and trade later became important and many of the island's men took to the seas, during which time Saba lace became an important product made by the island's women.

The remains of the 1640 settlements can be found on the west side at Tent Bay. They were destroyed by a landslide in the 17th century.

Geography and ecology

The environment of Saba is mainly composed of woodland forest with ferns and damp soil, and many mango trees. There used to be forests of Mountain Mahogany trees until a hurricane in the 1960s destroyed many of the trees. These are ''Freziera undulata'' [Theaceae], and unrelated to other Mahogany species, one of which is, however, planted at lower levels on the island small-leaved mahogany, ''Swietenia mahagoni'' [Meliaceae]. The Mahogany trees are considered at risk of going extinct on the island. Visitors refer to Saba's forests as "the Elfin Forest" because of its high altitude mist and mossy appearance. Since then there has been a woodland reserve created and aptly named "Elfin Forest Reserve". Saba's lush plant and animal wildlife are diverse and are looked after by the Saba Conservation Foundation.

4.3 km southwest of Saba is the Saba Bank, a large submerged atoll of rich biodiversity, and a prime fishing ground, particularly for lobster.

People and culture

The population of Saba (the ''Sabans'') consists of only 1,424 people who come from all over the world. The island's small size has led to a fairly small number of island families, who can trace their last names back to around a half-dozen families. This means that many last names are shared around the island, the most numerous being Hassell and Johnson. Most families are a rich intermixing of Dutch, Scottish, and African heritage. The population is also descended from the Irish who were exiled from that country after the accession of King Charles I of England in 1625; Charles exiled these Irish to the Caribbean in an effort to quell rebellion after he had forcibly procured their lands for his Scottish noble supporters.

Historically, the island was traded among the many European nations that fought for power in the region. Slaves were also imported to work on Saba. Both English and Dutch are used on the island and taught in schools. In more recent years Saba has become home to a large group of expatriates, and around 250 immigrants who are either students or teachers at the Saba University School of Medicine. Sabans are mostly Roman Catholic by faith; however, there is also a Wesleyan Church Holiness community on the island. Other religions practiced on the island include Anglican, Seventh-day Adventist, Muslim, and Jewish faiths.

The island is small and consists almost entirely of steep slopes, which makes farming very difficult, so many Sabans took to the sea, making their living as legitimate sailors. Their seafaring traditions made it not uncommon for many men to seek better employment in the United States Navy. It was not uncommon for men to forge their birth certificates to enter the U.S. Navy without obstruction. Although the details of his early personal biography are virtually unknown, it is possible that Chief Boatswain Edwin J. Hill was one of these Saban sailors. He received the United States' highest military honor, the Navy version of the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, in which he died. Because of the commonplace practice of forging a birth certificate to enter the U.S. Navy, Hill's Saban birth cannot be absolutely proven; however, it is known that his immediate and extended family were Saban.

Transport

There is one road, aptly called "The Road". Its construction was masterminded by Josephus Lambert Hassell who, despite the common opinion of Dutch and Swiss engineers, believed that a road could be built. He took a correspondence course in civil engineering, and started building the road with a crew of locals in 1938. After five years of work, the first section of the road, from Fort Bay to The Bottom, was completed. It was not until 1947, however, that the first motor vehicle arrived. In 1951, the road to Windwardside and St. Johns was opened, and in 1958 the road was completed. Driving "The Road" is considered to be a daunting task, and the curves in Windwardside are extremely difficult to negotiate. Driving is on the right hand side.

In 1963 the island built a 400 metre landing strip for easier trips to the island using aircraft: Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. This landing strip is reputed to be the shortest commercial runway in the world, and as such, only three models of airplane are able to land there regularly. Consistent air service from Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius is available through Windward Islands Airways (Winair). The small airport comes equipped with a fire station and an air control tower.

In 1972 a pier was completed in Fort Bay to access the island and this has made it easier for visitors to come visit the island. Travel is also provided by ferry services to and from Sint Maarten with the ''Dawn II'' and ''The Edge''.

Of note in The Bottom area, are 800 steps carved from stone, that go from Ladder Bay to The Bottom. Everything was carried to the island by hand until the late 20th century. These steps are still there today and are frequently used by tourists wishing to experience an intense climb.

Economy

Saba lace (also known as ''"Spanish work"'') was a major export of Saba. In the 1870s, as a young lady, Mary Gertrude Hassell Johnson, was sent to a Caracas convent in Venezuela for study – where she learned the difficult craft. The lacework spread through the island. The women of Saba began a mail-order business, and would copy addresses of businesses off shipping containers from the United States, and write to the employees. Often they would get orders for the lacework, and it started a considerable cottage industry. By 1928, the women were exporting around $15,000 (USD) worth of lace products each year.

Tourism

The island of Saba is known today for tourism, especially its ecotourism. Because the island is relatively new to the tourism industry, it only sees about 25,000 visitors each year. Saba is increasing in its popularity as a vacation destination because of its excellent scuba diving, climbing and hiking. Even though Saba is a small island, it supports two hyperbaric chambers in case of diving emergencies. Additionally, soon a ship equipped with another hyperbaric chamber will be stationed outside of Fort Bay to assist in diving emergencies at sea.

There are few anchorages, and a small airport with service from St. Maarten and Sint Eustatius. There is also a ferry service from St. Maarten. The ferries Dawn II and The Edge both travel to Saba three times a week. Saba's brilliantly colorful and pristine coral life make it one of the most sublime places to scuba dive in the world, and is often listed as one of the Top 10 diving destinations in the world. Many attribute the underwater life's purity to the island's remoteness and the caring of the people. The waters around the island were designated as the Saba National Marine Park in 1987, subject to government regulation to preserve its coral reefs and other marine life. Thus, Saba is known as "The Unspoiled Queen" of the Caribbean. Saba has inns, hotels, rental cottages and restaurants.

Notable Sabans

Hiram Beakes – 18th Century pirate who originated the phrase, "Dead men tell no tales."

Edwin J. Hill – Recipient (posthumously) of the United States Navy Medal of Honor for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. (Believed to be a Saban native who forged a birth certificate in order to enter the U.S. Navy.)

Stewart A. Chipka – Orchid Research specialist who discovered multiple new and hybrid species on the island. Stewart died in his home on Saba, October 31, 2010.

See also

Caribbean Netherlands

Caribbean Sea

Leeward Islands

References

External links

Island Government of Saba homepage

Saba's Tourist Bureau homepage

Saba Conservation Foundation's homepage

Saba (N.A.): Bos en nationale parken. 54pp.

Category:Islands of the Netherlands Antilles Category:Kingdom of the Netherlands Category:Lesser Antilles Category:Netherlands Antilles articles correct after Dissolution Category:Caribbean Netherlands

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Coordinates	15°48′00″N47°54′00″N
name	Asha Bhosle
background	solo_singer
birth name	Asha Mangeshkar
born	September 08, 1933Sangli, Bombay Presidency, British India
genre	Pop, folk, Indian classical music
occupation	Singer, playback singer
years active	1943–present }}

Asha Bhosle () (born September 8, 1933) is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and highly regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a much wider repertoire. Her career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over 1000 Bollywood movies. She has recorded many private albums and has participated in numerous concerts in India and abroad. Bhosle is the sister of playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.

Renowned for her voice range and often credited for her versatility, Bhosle's work includes film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian Classical music, folk songs, qawwalis, Rabindra Sangeets and Nazrul Geetis. She has sung Hindi, Assamese, Urdu, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Kannada, English, Russian, Czech, Nepali, Malay, Sinhala and Malayalam.

In 2006, Asha Bhosle stated that she had sung over 12,000 songs, a figure repeated by several other sources. The World Records Academy, an international organization which certifies world records, recognized her as the "Most Recorded Artist" in the world, in September 2009. The Government of India honoured her with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008.

Biography

Asha Bhosle was born in the small hamlet of Goar in Sangli, Bombay Presidency (now in Maharashtra), into the musical family of Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, who belongs to Gomantak Maratha Samaj. Her father was a theater actor and classical singer. When she was nine years old, her father died. The family moved from Pune to Kolhapur and then to Mumbai. She and her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar began singing and acting in films to support their family. She sang her first film song ''Chala Chala Nav Bala'' for the Marathi movie ''Majha Bal'' (1943). The music for the film was composed by Datta Dawjekar. She made her Hindi film debut when she sang the song ''Saawan Aaya'' for Hansraj Behl's ''Chunariya'' (1948). Her first solo Hindi film song was for the movie ''Raat Ki Raani'' (1949).

At the age of 16, she eloped with 31-year-old Ganpatrao Bhosle, marrying him against her family's wishes. Ganpatrao was Lata's personal secretary. The marriage failed miserably. Her husband and in-laws mistreated her. After a few years of marriage, Asha was turned out (around 1960) by a suspicious Ganpatrao and she went to her maternal home with two children and pregnant with her third child. She continued to sing in films to earn money.

At that time, prominent playback singers like Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar monopolized the singing for the female lead and the big films, whilst Asha used to get the assignments they refused: singing for the bad girls and vamps, or songs in the second-grade movies. In the 1950s, she sang more songs than most playback singers in Bollywood (not counting Lata). Most of these were in low budget B or C-grade films. Her earliest songs were composed by A R Qureshi, Sajjad Hussain and Ghulam Mohammed, most of which failed to do well. Singing in Dilip Kumar-starrer ''Sangdil'' (1952), composed by Sajjad Hussain, she got reasonable recognition. Consequently, film director Bimal Roy gave her a chance to sing in ''Parineeta'' (1953). Raj Kapoor signed her to sing ''Nanhe Munne Bachche'' with Mohammed Rafi in ''Boot Polish'' (1954), which gained popularity.

O. P. Nayyar gave Asha a break in C.I.D. (1956). She first achieved success in B. R. Chopra's ''Naya Daur'' (1957), composed by him. Her duets with Rafi like ''Maang ke saath tumhara'', ''Saathi haath badhana'' and ''Uden jab jab zulfein teri'', penned by Sahir Ludhianvi earned her recognition. It was the first time that she had got to sing all the songs for the lead actress. B R Chopra recognized her talent and got her to sing in many of his later films including ''Waqt'', ''Gumraah'', Humraaz, ''Aadmi Aur Insaan'' and ''Dhund''. Nayyar's collaboration with Bhosle also produced many hits. Gradually, she established herself and received patronage of composers such as Sachin Dev Burman and Ravi. Bhosle and Nayyar had a professional and personal parting of ways in the 1970s.

In 1966, Asha's performance in the duets from music director R D Burman's first successful movie, ''Teesri Manzil'' won popular acclaim. When Asha first listened to the tune of the song ''Aaja Aaja'', she had felt that she would not be able to sing the Western dance number. R D Burman offered to change the music. She was offended a bit and took it as a challenge to sing the song. After rehearsing for 10 days, when she finally sang the song, an impressed R D Burman handed her a 100-rupee note. ''Aaja Aaja'' and other songs of the film, ''O Haseena Zulfonwali'' and ''O Mere Sona Re'' (all three duets with Rafi, another popular Bollywood singer), became rage of the day. Shammi Kapoor, the actor of the movie, once said – "If I did not have Mohammad Rafi to sing for me, I would have got Asha Bhosle to do the job". Asha's collaboration with R D Burman resulted in numerous hits and a marriage. In 1960s and 1970s, she became the voice of Bollywood's dancer, Helen. It is said that Helen would attend her recording sessions so that she could understand the song better and plan dance steps accordingly. Some of the most popular Asha Bhosle-Helen numbers are ''Piya Tu Ab To Aaja'' (''Caravan''), ''O Haseena Zulfon Wali'' (''Teesri Manzil''), and ''Yeh Mera Dil'' (''Don'').

By the 1980s, Asha Bhosle had been stereotyped as a "cabaret singer" and a "pop crooner". In Rekha-starrer ''Umrao Jaan'', she proved her versatility by singing ghazals like ''Dil cheez kya hai'', ''In aankhon ki masti ke'', ''Ye kya jagah hai doston'' and ''Justju jiski thi''. The film's music director Khayyam, had lowered her pitch by half a note. Asha herself was surprised that she could sing so differently. The ghazals won her the first National Award of her career. A few years later, she won another National Award for the song ''Mera Kuchh Saamaan'' from ''Ijaazat'' (1987).

In 1995, the 62-year-old sung for actress Urmila Matondkar in the movie ''Rangeela''. The soundtrack featured songs like ''Tanha Tanha'' and ''Rangeela Re'' sung by her, and composed by music director A. R. Rahman, who went on to record many more songs with her.

In 2005, 72-year-old Asha's numbers for the Tamil film ''Chandramukhi'' and the pop song ''Lucky Lips'' for Salman Khan-starrer ''Lucky'' were chartbusters. Some of the other popular Tamil songs sung by her are ''Oh! Butterfly'', ''September Maadham'' and ''Vennila Vennila''.

In October 2004, ''The Very Best of Asha Bhosle, The Queen of Bollywood'', a compilation album of songs recorded by Bhosle for albums and Bollywood films that were released between 1966 & 2003, was released.

It has been 70 years since Asha Bhosle began singing for movies, but in 2011, she will finally star in her first film "Maaee." The movie will begin filming in April and is scheduled to premiere in June.

Partnership with music directors

;O.P. Nayyar

Music director O. P. Nayyar's association with Asha is part of Bollywood lore. He was the composer who first gave Asha her own identity. Many people have speculated about a romantic relationship between the two.

Nayyar first met Asha in 1952, at the music recording of ''Chham Chhama Chham''. He first called her for a film called ''Mangu'' (1954), and gave her a big break in ''CID'' (1956). However, it was the success of ''Naya Daur'' (1957), that made the duo very popular. After 1959, she was emotionally and professionally involved with Nayyar.

The team of O.P. Nayyar and Asha Bhosle is best remembered for their breezy and sometimes sirenish songs. Some good examples of their sensuous numbers are ''Aaiye meherbaan'' picturised on Madhubala (''Howrah Bridge'', 1958) and ''Yeh hai reshmi zulfon ka andhera'' picturised on Mumtaz (''Mere Sanam'', 1965). They also recorded songs for many hit movies like ''Tumsa Nahin Dekha'' (1957), ''Howrah Bridge'' (1958), ''Ek Musafir Ek Hasina'' (1962), ''Kashmir Ki Kali'' (1964), ''Aao huzur tumko'' (''Kismat'') and ''Jaaiye aap kahan'' (''Mere Sanam''). O.P. Nayyar used the Asha Bhosle-Mohammad Rafi duo for his most popular duets such as ''Ude jab jab zulfein teri'' (''Naya Daur''), ''Main pyaar ka rahi hoon'' (''Ek Musafir Ek Haseena''), ''Deewana Hua Baadal'' and ''Ishaaron hi isharon mein'' (''Kashmir Ki Kali'').

Asha recorded her last song for O.P. Nayyar in the movie ''Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye'' (1974). The solo number ''Chain se'' got many awards, but it was not included in the movie.

They split on August 5, 1972. It is not clear what made them part their ways. On being asked the reason for their parting, O P Nayyar once said, "I know astrology very well. I knew that one day I had to part with her. Something also happened, that upset me, so I left her." Nevertheless, he also said "...now that I am seventy-six, I can say that the most important person in my life was Asha Bhosle. She was the best person I ever met."

The parting of Asha Bhosle and O.P. Nayyar was bitter, and probably therefore she has hesitated to give Nayyar his due. While talking about O.P. Nayyar in an interview with The Times of India, she once remarked - "Whichever composer gave me work, it was because my voice was suited to his music at that point. No ''one'' musician did me any favor by asking me to sing for him." She gives the credit for her first big break to B. R. Chopra, the producer of ''Naya Daur''.

;Khayyam Another music director who recognized Asha's talent early was Khayyam. Their partnership dates back to his first movie ''Biwi'' (1948). Khayyam gave her some good assignments in the 1950s, including ''Dard'' and ''Phir Subah Hogi''. But the team is chiefly remembered for the songs of ''Umrao Jaan''.

;Ravi Music composer Ravi considered Asha one of his favorite singers. She sang for his first movie ''Vachan'' (1955). The melodious lullaby from the movie, ''Chandamama door ke'' became an overnight hit among young mothers in India. Ravi got her to sing bhajans for the movies ''Gharana'', ''Grihasti'', ''Kajal'' and ''Phool Aur Patthar'', at a time when most of the composers remembered her only when they needed to record B-grade songs picturized on the vamps or the side-heroines. Ravi and Asha recorded a variety of songs, including the popular funny duet with Kishore Kumar - ''C A T...Cat maane billi'' (''Dilli Ka Thug''). The bhajan ''Tora man darpan'' (''Kajal'') is considered one of Asha's best songs.

They also recorded songs for many popular movies like ''Waqt'', ''Chaudhvin Ka Chand'', ''Gumrah'', ''Bahu Beti'', ''China Town'', ''Aadmi Aur Insaan'', ''Dhund'' and ''Humraaz''. For ''Chaudhvin Ka Chand'', Ravi wanted Geeta Dutt (the wife of actor and producer Guru Dutt) to sing the songs. But when she backed out, Guru Dutt insisted that Asha sing the songs.

;Sachin Dev Burman One of Bollywood's most famous composers, Sachin Dev Burman and his favorite singer, Lata Mangeshkar, were not on good terms from 1957 to 1962. During this period, S D Burman used Asha as his lead female voice. She and Burman gave many hit songs in movies such as ''Kaala Pani'', ''Kaala Bazaar'', ''Insaan Jaag Utha'', ''Lajwanti'', ''Sujata'' and ''Teen Deviyaan'' (1965). They recorded many songs together after 1962 as well. Most famous of these songs were Asha's duets with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. The song ''Ab ke baras'' in Bimal Roy's Bandini (1963) consolidated her position as a lead singer. The seductive song ''Raat Akeli Hai'' from Jewel Thief (1967), picturised on Tanuja, became very popular.

;Rahul Dev Burman (Pancham) Asha first met Rahul Dev Burman (a.k.a. "Pancham") when she was the mother of two and he was in 10th grade having dropped out to pursue music. Their partnership was first noticed in ''Teesri Manzil'' (1966). She went on to record a variety of songs with him - cabarets, rock, disco, ghazals and Indian classical music.

In the 1970s, Asha and Pancham's youthful Western songs took Bollywood music by storm - the raunchy cabaret ''Piya tu ab to aaja'' (''Caravan'', picturized on Helen), the rebellious ''Dum Maro Dum'' ('' Hare Rama Hare Krishna'', 1971), the sexy ''Duniya mein'' (''Apna Desh'', 1972) and the romantic ''Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne'' (''Yaadon Ki Baaraat'', 1973). Pancham also recorded many hit duets with Asha and Kishore Kumar such as ''Jaane jaan'' (''Jawani Diwani'') and ''Bhali bhali si ek soorat'' (''Buddha Mil Gaya'').

In 1980s, Pancham and Asha recorded subtle numbers for films like ''Ijaazat'' (1987)- ''Mera kuch saaman'', ''Khaali haath shaam aayi hai'' and ''Katra Katra''. They also recorded the popular duet ''O Maria'' (''Saagar'').

Asha used to call R D Burman "Bubs". She married him in 1980. Their partnership lasted until his death.

R D Burman made her sing some of the most legendary songs in Bengali language as well, namely ''Mohuyae Jomechhe Aaj mou go'',''Chokhe Chokhe kotha bolo'' ''Chokhhe naame brishti''(Bengali version of ''Jaane Kya Baat hai''), ''Baanshi sune ki ghore thaka jaye'',''Sondhya Belae tumi aami'' and ''Aaj Gungun gun gunje amar'' (Bengali version of ''Pyaar Deewana hota hai'').

;Ilaiyaraaja Prolific south Indian film composer Ilaiyaraaja began employing Asha's vocals in the early 1980s, their earliest collaboration being for the film ''Moondram Pirai'' (1982) (remade in Hindi as ''Sadma'' in 1983). Their association continued, mostly through the latter half of the 1980s and early 1990s. Another notable song from this period is ''Shenbagamae'' (''Enga Ooru Paattukkaaran'', 1987, Tamil). In 2000, Asha sung the theme song for Kamal Haasan's political film ''Hey Ram''. The song, ''Nee Partha Parvai'' (''Janmon Ki Jwala'' in Hindi) (or Aparna's Theme), was a duet with singer Hariharan.

;A. R. Rahman A. R. Rahman is credited with Asha's 'comeback' with ''Rangeela'' (1994). Songs like ''Tanha Tanha'' and ''Rangeela Re'' were chartbusters. She and Rahman went on to record more hits like ''Mujhe Rang De'' (''Thakshak''), ''Radha Kaise Na Jale'' (''Lagaan'', duet with Udit Narayan), ''Kahin Aag Lage'' (''Taal''), ''O Bhanware'' (''Daud'', duet with K. J. Yesudas), ''Venilla Venilla'' (''Iruvar'',1999) and ''Dhuan Dhuan'' (''Meenaxi'',2004).

;Jaidev When S D Burman's assistant Jaidev started giving music independently, he got Asha to sing some of his songs as well. They worked in ''Hum Dono'' (1961), ''Mujhe Jeene Do'' (1963), ''Do Boond Pani'' (1971) and other movies. In 1971, the pair released an LP of eight non-film devotional songs and ghazals called ''An Unforgettable Treat''. Asha considered Jaidev a close friend who stood by her when she was struggling personally and professionally. Upon his death in 1987, she released a compilation album of lesser-known songs he had composed for her, called ''Suranjali''.

;Shankar-Jaikishan Shankar-Jaikishan worked relatively little with Asha. However, the trio produced quite a few hits including the seductive ''Parde mein rehne do'' (''Shikar'', 1968). Asha got her second Filmfare Award for the song. She also sang ''Zindagi ek safar hai suhaana'' (''Andaz'') for Shankar-Jaikishan, in which she tried to yodel like Kishore Kumar, whose version of the song is more better known. When Raj Kapoor was not on speaking terms with Lata Mangeshkar, Asha got to sing the songs of Mera Naam Joker (1970), composed by Shankar-Jaikishan.

;Anu Malik Composer Anu Malik and Asha have recorded many hit songs together, including songs for his first movie ''Sohni Mahiwal'' (1984). Their most popular songs include ''Filhaal'' (''Filhaal'') and ''Kitabein bahut si'' (''Baazigar'') among others. The four lines sung by Asha in Malik's ''Jab dil mile'' (''Yaadein'') stood out among voices of Sukhwinder Singh, Udit Narayan and Sunidhi Chauhan. Asha had also sung for Anu's father Sardar Malik in the 1950s and 1960s, most notably in ''Saranga'' (1960).

;Other Composers Madan Mohan recorded a number of songs with Asha, including the popular folk number ''Jhumka Gira Re'' from ''Mera Saaya'' (1966). In ''Chhoti Si Baat'' (1975), Asha sang the ''Jaaneman Jaaneman'' number with K. J. Yesudas for Salil Chowdhury. Salil's 1956 movie ''Jagte Raho'' also had a number recorded by Asha, ''Thandi Thandi Saawan ki Phuhaar''. Another Asha patron is the young composer Sandeep Chowta, who got her to sing ''Kambakht Ishq'', a duet with Sonu Nigam for the movie ''Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya''(2001). The song gained major popularity among the Indian youth.

Asha has worked with Lata-patrons like Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Naushad, Ravindra Jain, N Dutta and Hemant Kumar. When Naushad was asked to sum up the essential difference between Lata and Asha, he said that Asha "lacks certain something which Lata, and Lata alone has". Later he accepted in an interview, "May be I said it because I then had a closed ear on Asha". Naushad, later in his life, also admitted that he has been unfair to Asha. Asha has also worked with other noted Bollywood composers like Jatin-Lalit, Bappi Lahiri, Kalyanji-Anandji, Usha Khanna, Chitragupt, and Roshan.

Non-Bollywood music

Private albums

In a rare feat, noted lyricist Gulzar, music director R.D. Burman and Asha Bhosle, came together in 1987, to create a double album, titled, ''Dil Padosi Hai'', which was released on September 8, 1987. In 1995, Asha underwent the ''gatha bandan'' (thread-tying) ceremony with Hindustani classical music maestro Ali Akbar Khan to learn a classical repertoire held within the Maihar ''gharana'' (stylistic school of Indian classical music), as handed down to Khan by his father Allauddin Khan (the guru of Ravi Shankar). Later, Asha and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan recorded eleven fixed compositions (or ''bandish''es) in California for ''Legacy'', a private album that earned them a Grammy Award nomination.

In 1990s, Asha experimented with remixed R D Burman songs. She was criticized by many, including Khayyam for tampering with old melodies. Nevertheless, albums like ''Rahul And I'' became quite popular. In 1997, Asha did a private Indipop album ''Janam Samjha Karo'' with Leslie Lewis. The album was hugely popular and won her many awards including the 1997 MTV Award.

Asha had been once asked by director B R Ishaara to compose music for one of his films, but she had politely declined. In 2002, she turned music composer with the album ''Aap Ki Asha'', an eight-song music and video album. The lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri (his last lyrics). The album was released by Sachin Tendulkar on May 21, 2001 at a lavish party in Mumbai. The album received mixed reviews.

Asha had spotted Pakistani singer Adnan Sami's talent when he was about 10 years old. At that time, she was performing in London, with R D Burman. It was she who had asked him to pursue his interests in music seriously. When Adnan grew up and became a professional musician, Asha sang the title duet with him for his best-selling album ''Kabhi to nazar milao''. The two came together again in the album ''Barse Badal''. The album comprises eight songs, based on Indian Classical music. She contributed the song ''Yun Na Thi'' to the recording ''Womad Talking Book Volume Four: An Introduction to Asia 1'' on Womad Records.

Asha has sung ghazals for many albums like ''Meraj-E-Ghazal'', ''Aabshar-E-Ghazal'' and ''Kashish''. In 2005, Asha released a self-titled album as a tribute to the four ghazal maestros - Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Farida Khanum and Jagjit Singh. The album features eight of her favorite ghazals like Farida Khanum’s ''Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo'', Ghulam Ali’s ''Chupke Chupke'', ''Aawargi'' and ''Dil Mein Ek Lahar'', Jagjit Singh’s ''Ahista Ahista'' and Mehdi Hassan’s ''Ranjish Hi Sahi'', ''Rafta Rafta'' and ''Mujhe Tum Nazar Se''. These classic ghazals were recreated with modern sounds by musician Pandit Somesh Mathur. The album was aimed at the younger generation, who, according to Asha, are "turned off" by the traditional sounds of tabla and sarangi.

Numerous compilations of Asha's songs have been released as well. To commemorate her 60th birthday, EMI India released three cassettes: ''Bala Main Bairagan Hoongi'' (devotional songs), ''The Golden Collection: Memorable Ghazals'' (non-film ghazals by composers such as Ghulam Ali, R D Burman and Nazar Hussain), and ''The Golden Collection: The Ever Versatile Asha Bhosle'' (44 popular film songs).

In 2006, she recorded an album ''Asha and Friends'', singing duets, with film actors Sanjay Dutt and Urmila Matondkar and famous cricket player Brett Lee, with whom she sang, You're the One for Me (''Haan Main Tumhara Hoon''). All these songs composed by Shamir Tandon were shot on video by journalist turned director S Ramachandran.

Concerts and collaborations with foreign artists

In 1980s and 1990s, Asha went globe-trotting, staging concerts in Canada, Dubai, UK, U.S. and many other countries. In 1989, during a world tour, she performed in 13 US cities in 20 days. Immediately after this, she had an already sold-out concert scheduled in Stockholm, Sweden. Due to the stressful schedule, Asha suffered a massive attack of colitis, together with fever, cough and weakness. In Stockholm, a pre-concert crisis meeting was called, attended by Asha's son (and manager) Anand and the sponsors. It was decided that the orchestra will play many instrumental tracks, the accompanying singers like Suresh Wadkar will shoulder the load, and Asha will make a small appearance. But Asha rejected all such proposals, and sang at the concert with great difficulty, in a not-so-good voice. Her first set of six Bollywood songs did not receive any response from the audience, which consisted mostly of Indian and Pakistani expats. Before the start of the second set of songs, a fan in the crowd requested her to sing a Marathi song. Asha obliged and sang ''Naach-naachuni ati mi damale'' ("I'm very tired of this endless dancing"). When the song ended, the auditorium erupted with claps and the encores started. After the concert, Asha was in bed for a month, recuperating from overexertion. In October 2002, she did a concert with Sudesh Bhosle and others, in London, for "Help the Aged" to help raise funds for the elderly in India. In 2007 she toured the USA, Canada, and West Indies in a tour called "The Incredibles". In this tour, she was accompanied by singers Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjawala and Kailash Kher. This tour, originally scheduled for only 12 concerts, went on to hold more than 20.

In the mid-1980s, Asha sang with Boy George (''Bow down mister'') and Stephen Lauscombe. In 1997, she sang a love song with the boy band Code Red, at the age of 64. She also recorded the song ''The Way you Dream'' (One Giant Leap, ) with Michael Stipe that was used in the English movie, ''Bulletproof Monk''. The song was also released on the album 1 Giant Leap for 2002.

In 1997, the British band Cornershop paid tribute to Asha with their song ''Brimful of Asha'', an international hit which was later remixed by Fatboy Slim. In 2001, the CD single of Nelly Furtado's "I'm Like A Bird" included a "Nellie vs. Asha Remix" created by Digital Cutup Lounge.

In 2003, British opera pop singer Sarah Brightman sampled her song "Dil Cheez Kya Hai" on her album ''Harem''. It was used as the intro for her song "You Take My Breath Away".

In 2005, American string quartet Kronos Quartet re-recorded R D Burman compositions like ''Chura Liya'', ''Piya Tu'', ''Mera Kuchh Saaman'' among others and got Asha to sing them. Despite her age, she recorded three to four songs in a day, leaving the quartet members stupefied. On August 23, 2005, ''You've stolen my heart - Songs From R D Burman's Bollywood'' was released in US. The album was nominated for Grammy Awards 2006 in the category of "Best Contemporary World Music Album". In the 1990s, a friend had introduced David Harrington of Kronos Quartet to the song ''Aaj ki raat''. Harrington was mesmerised, and the song ended up on the album ''Kronos Caravan''.

Also in 2005, The Black Eyed Peas sampled her songs "Ae Naujawan Sab Kuchh Yahan" (''Apradh'', 1972) and "Yeh Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Diwana" (''Don'', 1978) in their hit single "Don't Phunk with My Heart". In late 2006, Asha collaborated with Australian test cricket star, Brett Lee. The single, You're the One for Me, debuted at number 4 on the charts and reached a peak position of number 2.

In 2006 Asha recorded one song for the soundtrack of Pakistani movie ''Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaaonga''. She sang the song, titled ''Dil Key Taar Bajey'', with famous Pakistani pop singer Jawad Ahmed. It was aired as part of the film's promotional campaign and became very popular, featuring on top music charts.

Personal life

Asha's house is situated in Prabhukunj Apt on Peddar Road area of South Mumbai. She has three children and five grandchildren. The eldest of her three children, Hemant Bhosle (named after Hemant Kumar), spent most of his early years as a pilot and quit to have a brief career as a music director. Asha's daughter Varsha worked as a columnist for ''The Sunday Observer'' and ''Rediff''. Asha's youngest child, Anand Bhosle, has studied business and film direction. He manages Asha's career. Her grandson, Chaitanya (Chintu) Bhosle (Hemant's son) is a part of the world of music. He is a member of India's first & only boy band, "A Band of Boys". Her sisters Lata and Usha Mangeshkar are playback singers. Her other, sister Meena Mangeshkar and brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar are music directors.

Asha is an excellent cook and cooking is her favorite hobby. She often gets flooded with requests by Bollywood celebrities for ''kadai ghosht'' and ''biryani'' dishes and has rarely turned down a request. In fact, her ''paya curry'', ''Goan fish curry'' and ''dal'' are very popular with the Kapoor family of Bollywood. Once, when asked in a ''Times of India'' interview, what if her singing career had not taken off, she said "I would have become a cook. I'd have cooked in four houses and made money."

Asha is a successful restaurateur and runs restaurants in Dubai and Kuwait, called Asha's. Asha's offers traditional north-western Indian cuisine. It has a presence in the Wafi City development in Dubai, as well as three restaurants in Kuwait, at The Avenues Mall, the Marina Mall and a brand new third outlet at the Spoons Complex. Other restaurants can be found in Abu Dhabi's Khaldiya Mall, Doha's Villagio and Bahrain's City Center Mall, with future outposts planned for Dubai's Mall of the Emirates and Cairo, Egypt. Asha Bhosle has a 20% stake in the business. Asha is not involved in day-to-day running of the restaurant which is looked after by the Wafi Group. She takes care of the kitchen and the décor. She personally trained the chefs for almost six months. According to a December 2004 report in the Menu Magazine, Russell Scott, a former head of Harry Ramsden's (the fish and chips chain), secured the UK rights to the Asha's brand and planned to open up to 40 restaurants over the next five years. As part of her chain of restaurants, Asha has recently opened a new restaurant in Birmingham, UK.

Asha's fashion statement is white saree with sparkling embroidery, pearls around her neck and a touch of diamonds. Harrington said "The first time I met Ashaji she was dressed in the most beautiful sari with diamonds and looked very regal. Then I looked down and saw that she was wearing tennis shoes! I thought I love this woman."

Asha is a good mimicry artist as well. At a concert at World Trade Center in Dubai on April 22, 2004, she mimicked the song ''Kabhi To Nazar Milaao'' in the voices of Noor Jehan, Lata Mangeshkar and Ghulam Ali.

Nowadays, apart from singing and her restaurant, Asha is also working on her autobiography.

Rivalry with Lata Mangeshkar

Asha's sibling rivalry with Lata Mangeshkar is often talked about, in spite of their insistence that these are just tales. As young children, they were very close. As a child, Lata used to carry Asha all the time. They were so inseparable that when Lata went to school she would take Asha with her. One day the teacher protested and said that they cannot have two students on one fee. Lata refused to return to school without Asha and quit her studies.

Lata considered Asha's act of eloping with her lover as irresponsible, leaving her alone to sing and earn for the family. This led to tensions between them. Asha herself accepted in an interview — "It was a love marriage and Lata ''didi'' did not speak to me for a long time. She disapproved of the alliance." At one time, their relationship was very adversarial and there have been periods of non-communication.

In her initial days in the industry, Asha always played second fiddle to her elder sister. Some say that Lata had once criticised Asha's relationship with O. P. Nayyar. This widened the rift between the two sisters and O P Nayyar also decided that he would never work with Lata. O.P. Nayyar had once revealed "Asha and Lata, staying in opposite flats at Bombay's Peddar Road, had a common maidservant. Now this maidservant had merely to come and tell the younger sister that Lata had just recorded something wonderful for Asha to lose her vocal poise. Such was her Lata phobia that it took me some months to convince Asha that she had a voice individualistic enough to evolve a singing style all of her own." Asha once said that she has worked for years to create a voice and a style that was different from Lata, so that she could carve her own niche and not be banished to live in her sister's shadow.

Asha and Lata have also sung together. Their first duet was for the film ''Daman'' (1951). Some of their songs include ''Man Bhawan Ke Ghar aye'' (''Chori Chori'', 1956), ''Sakhi ri sun bole papihaa us paar'' (''Miss Mary'', 1957), ''O chaand jahaan woh jaaye'' (''Sharada'', 1957), ''Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahi'' (''Mere Mehboob'', 1963), ''Ai kash kisi deewane ko'' (''Aaye Din Bahar Ke'', 1966), ''Main Chali Main Chali'' (''Padosan'', 1968), ''Chhap tilak sab'' (''Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki'', 1978), and ''Man kyun behka'' (''Utsav'', 1984). While singing, Lata used to hold her notebook in her right hand, while Asha held hers in the left hand. This meant Lata had her face away from Asha, making it difficult for them to "anticipate" each other.

The movie ''Saaz'', was supposedly based on Lata and Asha's rivalry. Asha said about the movie — "To have two women in long plaits, take a couple of incidents and exaggerate them into a 3-hour film is such a waste of time." In the last few years, Asha and Lata have often been seen in public, enjoying each other's company. In an interview with ''The Times of India'', Asha once said - "I remember, sometimes both of us would be at a function and some industry types would ignore me and interact only with her, as if to prove their loyalty. Later, didi and I would have a good laugh!"

Awards

;Filmfare awards Asha Bhosle has won seven Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards of 18 nominations. She won her first two awards in 1967 and 1968. (Mangeshkar asked not to be considered for the award nominations after 1969 to promote new talent). After receiving the award in 1979, Bhosle emulated her elder sister and requested that her name not be considered for the nominations hereafter. Despite this, Bhosle is the most frequent winner of this award to date, tying with Alka Yagnik. She was later given a ''Special Award'' for ''Rangeela'' in 1996, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Following is the list of her Filmfare Awards:

Filmfare Best Female Playback Award:

1968: "Garibon ki Suno" (''Dus Lakh'', 1966)

1969: "Parde Mein Rehne Do" (''Shikar'', 1968)

1972: "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" (''Caravan'', 1971)

1973: "Dum Maro Dum" (''Hare Rama Hare Krishna'', 1972)

1974: "Hone Lagi Hain Raat" (''Naina'', 1973)

1975: "Chain Se Humko Kabhi" (''Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye'', 1974)

1979: "Yeh Mera Dil" (''Don'', 1978)

Other Awards:

1996 - Special Award (''Rangeela'', 1995)

2001 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award

;National Film Awards Asha has won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer twice:

1981: ''Dil Cheez Kya Hai'' (''Umrao Jaan'')

1986: ''Mera Kuch Samaan'' (''Ijaazat'')

;Other awards Asha has won numerous other awards, including: 1987: Nightingale Of Asia Award (from the Indo–Pak Association, UK). 1989: Lata Mangeshkar Award (Government of Madhya Pradesh). 1997: Screen Videocon Award (for the album ''Jaanam Samajha Karo''). 1997: MTV Award (for the album ''Jaanam Samajha Karo''). 1997: Channel V Award (for the album ''Jaanam Samjha Karo''). 1998: Dayawati Modi Award.

1999: Lata Mangeshkar Award (Government of Maharashtra)

2000: Singer of the Millennium (Dubai).

2000: Zee Gold Bollywood Award (for ''Mujhe Rang De'' from ''Thakshak'').

2001: MTV Award (for ''Kambakht Ishq'').

2002: BBC Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair).

2002: Zee Cine Award for Best Playback Singer - Female (for ''Radha Kaise Na Jale'' from ''Lagaan'').

2002: Zee Cine Special Award for Hall of Fame.

2002: Screen Videocon Award (for ''Radha Kaise Na Jale'' from ''Lagaan'').

2002: Sansui Movie Award (for ''Radha Kaise Na Jale'' from ''Lagaan'').

2003: Swaralaya Yesudas Award for outstanding contributions to Indian music. 2004: ''Living Legend Award'' by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 2005: MTV Immies, Best Female Pop Act for ''Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo''. 2005: Most Stylish People in Music.

;Honours and recognitions

In 1997, Asha became the first Indian singer to be nominated for the Grammy Award, for ''Legacy'', an album with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

She has received seventeen Maharashtra State Awards.

She received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

She holds honorary doctorates from the University of Amravati and University of Jalgaon in Literature.

She has received ''The Freddie Mercury Award'' for Outstanding Achievement in Arts.

The Birmingham Film Festival paid her a special tribute in November 2002.

She was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India. She was among top 20 music icons of the past 50 years.

Footnotes and references

Further reading

External links

Asha Bhosle: The Voice Of Bollywood And More - audio report by ''NPR''

Category:1933 births Category:Living people Category:Bengali-language singers Category:Bollywood playback singers Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients Category:English-language singers Category:Female guitarists Category:Gujarati-language singers Category:Hindi-language singers Category:Indian female singers Category:Indian film singers Category:Indian guitarists Category:Kollywood playback singers Category:Marathi-language singers Category:Marathi playback singers Category:Nepali-language singers Category:People from Maharashtra Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan Category:Russian-language singers Category:Tamil-language singers

bn:আশা ভোঁসলে de:Asha Bhosle es:Asha Bhosle fr:Asha Bhosle gu:આશા ભોંસલે hi:आशा भोंसले id:Asha Bhosle it:Asha Bhosle kn:ಆಶಾ ಭೋಂಸ್ಲೆ ml:ആശാ ഭോസ്‌ലേ mr:आशा भोसले ne:आशा भोसले pnb:آشا بھوسلے ru:Бхосле, Аша fi:Asha Bhosle sv:Asha Bhosle ta:ஆஷா போஸ்லே te:ఆశా భోస్లే

Big Bank Hank (born Henry Jackson in 1956 in New York City, United States) is an American old school rapper. Also known as Imp the Dimp, he is a member of The Sugarhill Gang, the first hip hop act to have a hit single, "Rapper's Delight".

Biography

Hank was born in the Bronx, New York City. He graduated from Bronx Community College with an A.S. degree in Oceanography. While attending college, he won several championships in wrestling. After graduating from college, Hank found it very hard to attain a position in oceanography, so he worked at a pizzeria. He did his job so well that when the owner of the shop expanded his business to Englewood, New Jersey, he brought Hank over to head the Crispy Crust store, where Hank was later discovered. Hank was 22 years old at the time when the Sugarhill Gang's self-titled album was released.

Hank's act is known for his competition with the comic book superhero Superman. His verse depicts him meeting Lois Lane and convincing her to drop her boyfriend, Superman. Says Hank: "He's a fairy, I do suppose, flying through the air in panty hose...He can't satisfy you with his little worm, but I can bust you out with my super sperm". In his three sections of the song, Hank uses his well-known chant: "Ho-tel, Mo-tel, what you gonna do today (say what)/I'm gonna get a fly girl, gonna get some spank n' drive off in a def O.J." (An "O.J." refers to a luxury American car, such as a Lincoln Continental. The reference is from popular TV commercials of the 1970s where NFL running back O.J. Simpson was the spokesperson for Hertz's rental cars.)

Recognition

In the years following the release of "Rapper's Delight", many of the pioneers of the New York City hip hop community have claimed that Grandmaster Caz, a rapper under Hank's management who also went by the name of Casanova Fly, wrote the lines.

Busta Rhymes' breakout single "Woo-Hah!! Got you all in check" samples Hank's line in the 1981 hit "Eighth Wonder". "See it's up my back, it's around my neck, Woo-hah!! Got them all in check."

The song "Big Bank Hank" is currently featured on a commercial for the Amazon Kindle.

References

Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:Rappers from New York City Category:The Sugarhill Gang members

no:Big Bank Hank fi:Big Bank Hank

Coordinates	15°48′00″N47°54′00″N
Name	Saba Saba a.k.a. Krazy Native
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Alex Kirya
Contact	krazynativ@yahoo.com
Born	August 05, 1977
Origin	Kampala, Uganda
Genre	Hip Hop/African hip hop
Occupation	Hip hop artist
Years active	1993 – present
Label	Independent/Tujjababya Productions
Associated acts	DJ Spooky, Bataka Squad, Didier Awadi
Website
Current members	Saba Saba, Babaluku, Tshila
Past members	Momo, Shillingz, Laraat, Lyrical G }}

Saba Saba, also known as Krazy Native (born Alex Kirya, August 5, 1977) is a hip-hop artist and social activist from Uganda. Saba Saba began his hip hop career in 1993 with the group Bataka Squad. Saba Saba is now a solo artist, but remains a member of Bataka Squad, along with fellow members Babaluku and Shillingz. Saba Saba, who along with Babaluku, appeared in the film Diamonds in the Rough, is currently splitting his time between Kampala, Uganda and Los Angeles, California as he continues to write, produce and perform. He released his first solo album Tujjababya the Hard Way in 2006, Bataka Revolution in 2008 with Bataka Squad, and is currently featured on 2010’s Afrolution vol. 2: the Original African Hip Hop Collection.

Biography

Born in Jinja, Uganda, during the dictatorship of Idi Amin, Saba Saba spent the early years of his life running from place to place with his family to avoid political turmoil and fighting. He went to Kabojja primary and later Kasasa Secondary where his hiphop career kicked off after he met Lyrical G, one of the members of the crew Bataka Underground - later the Bataka Squad - Bataka means 'native' in Luganda. Saba's first taste of the mic was in 1992, a few months after he saw the movie 'Wild Style', a hiphop breakdance video. The game changed for Saba in 1994 when he hooked up with the Bataka Underground. On the team was Babaluku, Momo MC, and Lyrical G. They were later joined by Newton, Chagga, Shillingz, Furious B from Burundi, Larat, Lyn, and Slob MC the youngest of the crew.

The Bataka crew had their first major performance in Mwanza, Tanzania and recorded their first single 'ATOOBA',written by Babaluku and produced by Mukalazi. The single was only able hit the airwaves three years later, as a result of the lack of hiphop appreciation and the negative stereotype associated with hiphop by radio stations. The song became a favorite on the underground hiphop scene and is still regarded as a Ugandan hiphop classic. The song was one of the first major hiphop songs sung in Luganda or Lugaflow, the native Ugandan language - Lugaflow.

In 1997, Bataka Underground recorded their second smash hit, `Ssesetula' which got them on a stage rampage spree across Kampala, from Club Pulsations to Lido Beach, Club Silk, Botanical Gardens, Little Flowers, Bingo Cinema, Sharing youth Center and several other locations.

In 1998, the Bataka crew continued to dominate the hiphop scene and in December, Saba beat a long list of musicians of the day including members of his crew and won the `Mr. Club Silk' Contest for his social-political ballistic rhymes of the day.

In 1999, the Bataka Crew was at the climax of their game rocking at most of the major events of the time. `Bana Beka' one of their other songs got crowds bobbing heads to the sound of one of the realest Ugandan hiphop songs.

The same year, Saba changed his style of rhyme from the braggadocio lyricist to the social political conscious rapper. They then began working on their major project, the overdue hiphop album from Bataka, `Foundation'. `The Foundation' album was released in 2000 and hit the underground hiphop scene containing songs like `Ndimubi' (Am bad), `Lets ride', `The Foundation', `Eno Ensi' (This world), the hit singles `Ssesetula' and `Atooba' and other songs.

In 2001, Saba Saba, Chizo, DJ Benarda, alongside some of the Bataka crew, went for a tour in Kigali, Rwanda and Bujumbura, Burundi. Bujumbura gave Bataka so much love and are still revered up to today. The same year, they hooked up with `Niga Soul' one of the best rap groups in Bujumbura and had several performances together in places like Havana and Casanova, Burundi.

Back from the tour in Kampala, the Bataka crew hooked up with a British rap/poetry crew by the names of `Shrine' and had two huge concerts.

From 2002 to 2003, Bataka, was silent while Saba continued solo. Some of the members left the country, while others worked on solo projects. Babaluku released his album in Canada.

In his own words, Saba says "I'm really happy that I was there when this hiphop movement in Uganda began and I participated in all these memorable moments."

Solo career

In 2003 Saba and Xenson, later joined by Jeff Ekongot, Francis Agaba, and the late Paul Mwandha, formed the Uganda Hip Hop Foundation with the mission of promoting Ugandan hip hop in Uganda and worldwide. The foundation sponsored the first Ugandan Hip Hop Summit and Concert in 2003, featuring artists from all over Uganda including Klear Kut, Bataka Squad, Lyrical G, Maurice Kirya, Vamposs and Benon, Emma Katya and Extra Mile. The Summit, held at Sabrina's in Kampala, was so successful, they have held one each year since, most recently in December 2006 organized by Babaluku with help from the Bavubuka All Starz.

In 2004 Saba performed as a delegate of the Uganda Hiphop Foundation at the `Rock against Aids' concert in Nairobi, Kenya.

In 2005 Saba Saba changed his stage name from Krazy Native to Saba Saba to reflect his growth as an artist and his increased political and social consciousness of his homeland Uganda and Africa as a whole. That same year, Saba Saba and Frances Agaba represented Uganda at the UN's Global Hip Hop Summit in South Africa. Saba Saba performed at the Summit, hosted by Guru of Gangstarr and featuring .

In 2005 Saba Saba released a single and video "Tujababya". He was nominated for both best hip hop artist and best hip hop single in the 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards. By the beginning of 2006 he released the album titled `Tujjababya the hardway' which highlights the tribulations of a Ugandan hiphop artist. Songs from this album include Wansi Wagalu that addressed police brutality, and an accompanying video which documented the riots in Kampala during the 2005 presidential campaign. Tujjababya is now a hiphop community anthem celebrating the suppressions of the local hiphop artist by the main stream media.

In 2006 Saba Saba began a quest to introduce thousands of Americans to the sounds of Lugaflow and inspire dialogue about African history and the globalization of African hip hop. In April 2006 he performed at the International Trinity College Annual International Hip Hop Festival, Hartford, CT. Since performing there in April, Saba has performed in New York City at the Prospect Park African Festival alongside artists KÉKÉLÉ and LAGBAJA., at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, and at Syracuse University's Amnesty International Benefit Concert for Sudan. In 2006 and 2007 he performed with Michael Franti at the Power to the Peaceful festival in San Francisco.

In 2006 he was featured in the documentary Diamonds in the Rough: A Ugandan Hip Hop Revolution. The documentary was produced by 3rdi aka Brett Mazurek, about the efforts of Bataka Squad members Saba Saba and Babaluku using music to inspire and bring hope to the young children of Uganda who are facing great odds, such as AIDS and poverty. He also appeared as a panelist and performer for Harvard University’s Conference "African Youth Development through Art and Technology – The Role of African Hip Hop" in 2008.

Saba is currently completing his next solo album, ''Cup of Coffee with...'' It will feature the single "Obwavu Koondo" ("Poverty and Fate") which tells the true story of Ugandan women beaten to death by her husband because of her concern over her children's fate after he sold their home. Saba Saba has recently released the single and video "Harambe".

Discography

Albums

2006: Tujjababya the Hard Way

2008: Bataka Revolution

2010/2011: Bulaaya

2010/2011: Cup of Coffee with...

Singles

2003: "Tujjababya"

2003: "Wansi Wagulu"

2008: "Obwavu Kondo"

2008: "Connect"

2009: "World Mash"

2009: "Uganda" w/DJ Spooky

2010: "Harambe"

References

External links

Official site of Saba Saba aka Krazy Native

Official Saba Saba Myspace Page

Bataka Squad

Official site of the Uganda Hip Hop Foundation

Official Facebook Page

Official YouTube Page

Press

UGPulse Oct 2006

XXL Online March 2006

UGPulse June 2006

Tara Henley Nov 2005

Category:Ugandan musicians Category:1977 births Category:Living people