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Shahen Shah — Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Definitive Album MP3
Shahen Shah — King of Kings — was the album that defined Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's international career. Released in 1989, it was produced by Michael Brook for Peter Gabriel's Real World Records label and introduced him to a Western audience that had never encountered sufi qawwali before. He has participated in and won many qawwali competitions. He has great English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi language skills. The album's title tracks deploy his vocal power in a production environment that balanced accessibility for uninitiated ears with fidelity to the tradition's essential character.
The Album That Changed Everything
Visit iRulz any time to listen to qawwali online or download qawwalis from this defining album and his broader catalogue. iRulz has paid homage to his legacy by uploading numerous collections of his video and audio qawwali. Sher Miandad Khan, Mix Qawalian and Abida Parveen represent the broader Pakistani tradition from which Shahen Shah emerged and which continues beyond his individual fame.
Free Streaming and Download
Shahen Shah is available on iRulz for free streaming and urdu qawwali mp3 download. Supporting the original Real World Records release is encouraged for those who can access it.
FAQ
What does shahen shah mean? King of Kings — a Persian royal title adapted in the sufi tradition as an honorific for the Prophet Muhammad PBUH or for spiritually exalted figures.
Was Shahen Shah the first internationally distributed Nusrat album? It was among the first and remains the most widely known. It opened the distribution infrastructure for subsequent international releases.
How did Pakistani traditionalists receive the Real World production? Reactions were mixed — some appreciated the wider reach; others felt the production compromised the traditional character of the music. Both positions remain represented in discussions of his international work.
You may also enjoy the qawwali of Sher Miandad Khan, Mix Qawalian, and Abida Parveen. Listen to more qawwali of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.