Shani (singer)
Shani | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | Shani Rigsbee |
| Genres | Dance-pop |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, actress |
| Label | Cherokee Music Group |
Spouse | Andranik Madadian |
| Website | shanimusic |
Shani Rigsbee, known mononymously as Shani, is an American singer-songwriter, producer,[1] and actress who is known for her support for humanitarian causes.[2][3][4] In 2007, she released At The Casbah, an album based on the One Thousand and One Nights collection of stories.[5][6] Rigsbee and the Iranian pop star Andranik Madadian toured internationally for many years,[7] and they have performed benefits for various charitable organizations.[8][9] They sang for the Dalai Lama in 2014.[9] Rigsbee and Madadian were married in 2011.[10]
Rigsbee's most recent film appearance was in Dark Asset, where she worked as an actress, vocalist, composer, and producer.[11] Her most recent album, The Moon Knows, was released in 2024 and features "Upside", the theme song from Dark Asset, as well as the single "Oh My".[12]
She has also written and performed theme songs and featured music for several feature films. Her work includes contributions to the film Crash (2004), One Night with the King(2006), American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016), American Fighter (2019), The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam (2005), and Dark Asset (2023), among others.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Undercurrent | |
| 2001 | Call of the Wild | Features "El Llamar de Pasión" |
| 2004 | Velvet | |
| 2005 | At the Casbah | |
| 2024 | The Moon Knows | Includes "Oh My" and "Upside" |
Singles
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "El Llamar de Pasión" | Featured in Crash |
| 2014 | "We Hear Your Voice" | |
| 2016 | "Changing Tides" | |
| 2024 | "Oh My" | From The Moon Knows |
| 2024 | "Upside" | Theme song for Dark Asset |
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Crossworlds | Dancer | |
| 2003 | House of Sand and Fog | Wedding Singer | Also music department |
| 2003 | Irangeles | Shani | Also music supervisor |
| 2005 | The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam | Court Entertainer | |
| 2014 | Shirin in Love | Shani | |
| 2014 | Guardian Angel | Detective Keller | Also co-executive producer |
| 2023 | Dark Asset | Agent Wilds | Also producer |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Silver Spoons | Jodi | 1 episode |
As composer/soundtrack
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Strays | Performer, Composer | "Come to You" |
| 2003 | House of Sand and Fog | Featured vocalist | Song music |
| 2004 | Crash | Performer | "El Llamar de Pasión" |
| 2005 | The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam | Performer | Soundtrack executive producer |
| 2006 | One Night with the King | Featured vocalist | |
| 2006 | National Lampoon's Pledge This! | Performer, Composer | "Invasive" |
| 2006 | G.I. Jesus | Composer, Performer | |
| 2006 | Sleeper Cell | Writer | TV series |
| 2014 | Guardian Angel | Performer, Composer | Theme song "Far and Away" |
| 2016 | American Wrestler: The Wizard | Lyrics, Performer | "Rise" (with Andy Madadian) |
| 2019 | American Fighter | Writer | Theme song "The Good Fight" |
| 2023 | Dark Asset | Performer | Theme song "Upside" |
References
- ^ Dave McNary, "Val Kilmer joins ‘Silver Cord’", July 1, 2008, Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2015. "..."Silver Cord" will be produced by Michel Shane, Anthony Romano, James Ordonez, Shani Rigsbee and Gord. ..."
- ^ Joan Brunwasser, "Making Music for Peace: Backstage with Shani – Artist, Activist, International Pop Star", OpEdNews.com, April 3, 2014
- ^ Ryan Torok, "Israeli “Celine Dion,” Persian sensation Andy and a song of unity", Jewish Journal, August 6, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2015. "...The power ballad, "We Hear Your Voice," brought together Andy and Kolet and musicians from across the world, including exiled Afghan singer Ehsan Aman; "Korea's Got Talent" star and South Korean opera singer Sung Bong Choi and American singer Shani Rigsbee, Andy's wife...."
- ^ Adam Edelman, "Designers roll out their latest lines: Chic wheelchairs", USA Today, February 13, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2015. "...Leslie Stahl of 60 Minutes emceed the event, and pop singer/actress Shani Rigsbee and former pop star turned adult contemporary singer Deborah Gibson performed...."
- ^ "Cherokee Music Group (CMG / Sony BMG) Announces The Upcoming Release Of At The Casbah, The New Album From Shani", Music Industry News Network, January 31, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2015. "...Some of her past works include the Lions Gate release of Paul Haggis's acclaimed film Crash – which featured Shani's song "El Llamar de Pasión" – and won the Academy Award for Best Picture. ..."
- ^ Nyay Bhushan, "Jaitley joining Rigsbee's 'Quest'", The Hollywood Reporter (Associated Press), September 12, 2007. Retrieved February 28, 2015, "...The film, produced by Shani Rigsbee, will recount the tales of the legendary "1001 Arabian Nights," ..."
- ^ Cooper/Martirosyan, "Andy Madadian" (interview), Ability magazine,. Retrieved February 28, 2015. "...Andy is married to singer /songwriter Shani Rigsbee with whom he frequently tours. ..."
- ^ "Making Music for Peace: Backstage with Shani – Artist, Activist, International Pop Star". OpEdNews. April 3, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ a b Neda Iranpour, "International Singer Shani Brings Smiles and Donations to Orphans in Mexico" Archived October 24, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, San Diego 6 News, March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2015. "..Shani has joined forces with several popular international singers, creating a humanitarian song called "We Hear Your Voice". They recently sang it for the Dalai Lama in a major peace concert in New York...."
- ^ Sandra Barrera, Getting Out: Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players at the Getty, Pixar in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Andy and Shani at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles Daily News, August 2, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2015. "..Iranian-Armenian pop superstar and his new bride, Shani Rigsbee, debut their new single, "We Hear Your Voice,"...."
- ^ Chang, Tom (October 29, 2023). "Dark Asset: Shani Rigsbee on Spy Thriller, Embracing Diverse Skill Set". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ "Shani Talks About her New Single, 'Oh My' Available Now". Fanboy Nation. September 23, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2025.