Kazi Md. Ali Balam Jahangir, famously known as Balam, (born 24 December 1976) is a Bangladeshi singer, guitarist, composer, and music producer. He was born in Dhamaron village in Tongibari Upazila of Munshiganj (Bikrampur) district. He used to be the lead guitarist/vocalist for the band Warfaze. Later he introduced himself as a solo singer.
Career
Balam started his career by forming the band Renegades after graduating from secondary school in 1995. He was the lead guitarist and main vocalist. The band published two albums - Onno Bhubon and Firiye Dao. Balam also worked as a guest artist in bands like Ark and Pentagon.
Three years later, he joined Warfaze as the lead guitarist and the second vocalist. In 2002, Sunjoy and Babna left the band for personal reasons. Balam then became the lead vocalist. He produced singles like "Jotodure" (a tremendously popular song), "Nei Tumi", and "Somoy" as a part of the band. Maharaj is one of the band's hit albums during this time period, of which Balam produced. Balam published his first featured album, Prem Shikari, in 2005 which gained him recognition.
In 2007, he left Warfaze and pursued a solo career. His debut solo album was self-titled. He continued with two consecutive albums Balam II and Balam III. During this period he also published two duet albums on which his sister Julee sang in his composition.
In 2013, his fourth solo album Bhubon was released. Afterward, Balam stopped working on new songs after facing rejection for his fourth album. Kaushik Hossain Taposh, the CEO of Gaanbangla Television inspired him to come back. Balam came back with his first HD music video "Meghey Dhaaka". It received a huge response, and he started working regularly. "Koto Je Khujechi Tomay" was another duet music video.
In 2017, Balam published his fifth solo album, Golper Shohor.
Balam has also acted on two TV dramas and hosted a number of TV programs. He has also worked with various production houses and collaborated with the likes of Adit Rahman and other revered musical personalities.
Solo albums
Balam (2007) Balam II (2008) Balam III (2010) Bhubon (Balam IV) (2013) Golper Shohor (Balam V) (2017)
Albums with bands
Onno Bhubon (Renegades) Firiye Dao (Renegades) Alo (Warfaze) Moharaaj (Warfaze) Shopnochura 3 (Balam feat. "Protikkha" by "Montro")
Featured and mixed albums
Prem Shikari (Balam featuring Julee, Ovi & Pintu) Balam featuring Julee Shwapner Prithibi (Balam featuring Julee II) Nari (Balam, Bappa, Labik, Habib & others) The Gurus Of Love (Balam, Habib, Fuad, Arnob) Ashik O Akota (Balam, Simin, Nazia, Shuddho & Ali) Adhar (Balam, X-Uranium, Bibhishika, Artonad, Slave and others) Adhar II (Balam, CynicX, Dhushor, Factor, Fear and others) Chayashoriri (Zia Khan Featuring Balam, Ayub Bacchu, Raghab Chattejee, Topu, Konal, Rupam Islam) Krishno kala by Rashed Khan (Balam feat. "Meye Tumi" & "Krishno kala") Ganer Michile (Ovi) (Balam feat. "Doyal" song) Fele Asha (Mila) (Balam feat. "Nirjon raat", "Fele Asha", "Chera Paal" & "Pora Bashi") Syntheya's self-titled album (Balam feat. "Smritir Sihoron") JUK's self-titled album (Balam feat. "Amar Nao Ore Asmane") Bristi Binimoy by Limon Chowdhury (Balam feat. "Mon Kharap") Nirjhorer Tanpura by Limon Chowdhury (Balam feat. "Badha") Chai tomay (Ibrar tipu) (vocal bonus track - "O prithibi") Bhorer Alo by Tanim Mahmud (Balam feat. "Tanim Mahmud")
Playback and acting
Bhalaobashar Golpo (film by Annono Mamun) Projapoti: The Mysterious Bird (film by Mohammad Mostofa Kamal Raz) Common Gender (film by Noman Robin) Hridoy Bhanga Dhew (film by Gazi Majharul Anwar) Amader Choto Shaheb (film by F. I. Manik) Chaad Ful Omabossha (TV soap by Arif Khan) Priyotomeshu (film by Morshedul Islam) Tomar Jonno (drama act with Srabonti and Apurbo) Golper Shohor (drama act with Sadia) Priyotoma (film by Himel Ashraf)