Shabir started composing when he was 12 years old. Self-taught on the keyboard, he studied
Hindustani Classical Music, learning the violin from Sri Veereshwar Madhri and guitar from Steeve Vatz. Shabir ultimately received a bachelor's degree in music production and composition. Shabir is a leading recording artist in Singapore, and he has released three albums:
Alaipayuthey,
TraffiQ, and
Swasam-Scents of Prose. His music has various influences, including music pop, indie, alternative rock, and world music. His lyrics include wordplay, metaphor, and experiments with cadence. The film's lead single, "Yaayum,” was a hit on release, receiving critical and fan acclaim. Yaayum has had over 124 million YouTube views and over 13 million Spotify streams. Shabir is the only Singaporean who scores movies in India.
Independent Music Shabir is a prime leader of the international Tamil music movement. His first album, "Alaipayuthey,” was released in 2005. His next album, TraffiQ (Dejavu & Nagaravaytai), was regularly played on local and international channels, including
MTV Asia and
Channel V, and increased his exposure throughout
South East Asia. "Swasam – Scents of Prose" produced by High Breed Media, was released on 7 April 2012. The album combined various musical styles and features poetry recitations by prominent Singaporeans, including the nation's 6th President, S.R Nathan, Minister S Iswaran, former NMP Viswa Sadasivan, and others. ==Controversy==