Early life and education
Background and heritage
Harris J was born in Chelsea, London. [2] He is of diverse heritage, including Indian and Irish ancestry. [3] He identifies as a "proud Muslim and a true Brit," embracing both his faith and his national identity. [1] [4]
From a young age, Harris J displayed talent in both music and sports. He began singing and performing publicly at the age of five, participating in school recitals and multi-faith community events. [5] His early performances blended techniques from classical Arabic recitation with the tones of Irish folk music. [5]
Alongside his musical pursuits, he was a passionate and skilled football player. At the age of 12, he was selected for the exclusive Elite Training Club at the Chelsea F.C. Academy, where he received expert coaching for several years. [5]
Education at BRIT School
Harris J ultimately chose to focus on music and performing arts. He enrolled at the prestigious BRIT School of Performing Arts and Technology in London, an institution known for producing artists such as Adele and Amy Winehouse, and graduated in July 2015. [5] [4]
Career
2013–2016: Awakening Talent Contest and Salam
In 2013, at the age of 16, Harris J entered the Awakening Talent Contest, a social media-driven competition organized by the faith-inspired record label Awakening Music. [1] The judging panel featured established figures from the label, including multi-platinum artist Maher Zain. [5] Harris J emerged as the winner, which led to an exclusive recording contract with Awakening Music. [1]
After signing with the label, he began work on his debut album. On 18 September 2015, he released Salam. [6] The album's lead single, "Salam Alaikum," became an immediate international success, with its music video accumulating millions of views on YouTube. [5] The album was praised for its high production value and positive, uplifting themes. [1]
2017–2021: Musical transition and mainstream releases
Following the success of his debut, Harris J's career entered a new phase marked by a musical and thematic transition. He began to move beyond the nasheed genre to explore mainstream pop and R&B. [3] This period saw him release a series of standalone singles under labels including Virgin EMI, such as "Save Me From Myself" (2017), "Human" (2019), and "24/7" (2021), a collaboration with singer Celina Sharma. [7] [8]
This artistic shift coincided with a period of personal growth and challenge. Some sources describe this time as a "rebellious phase" where he grappled with the pressures of fame. [3] His songs from this period, such as "Let Me Breathe" and "Save Me From Myself," reflected his personal struggles. [3] His 2021 single "O' Allah" is seen as a turning point, expressing themes of guilt and a renewed sense of purpose. [3]
2022–present: Return to Awakening Music
In the early 2020s, Harris J returned to Awakening Music. [2] This new chapter is characterized by a renewed focus on faith-inspired themes. His return was marked by collaborations with his mentor, Maher Zain, and the release of the EP Revival in 2025. [2]
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