The World Cup has inspired many celebrations, and among them is Omani musician Nadeem al Balushi’s energetic anthem, One Game, One World, a song that captures the excitement and unity of football.
Known professionally as NB, Nadeem is an Omani singer, songwriter, composer, keyboardist, music producer, and one-man band performer. He has built a reputation as one of Oman’s most versatile live entertainers, performing in Arabic, Hindi, English, Punjabi, Baluchi, and Swahili, allowing him to connect with audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Speaking to the Observer, Nadeem said the idea for the song came unexpectedly during the tournament.
“At the beginning of the World Cup, I wasn’t planning to create a song. But about a week into the tournament, I came across Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem on YouTube, which has always been one of my favourites. That inspired me instantly. Since I had already written a song for the Oman national football team, I thought, ‘Why not create an original World Cup anthem as well?’”
For the following week, he devoted himself entirely to the project.
“It took us about a week to complete the song. We spent a lot of time refining it until we were completely satisfied with the final sound. It was truly a team effort, and I would like to thank my friends Leon and Tariq Jalal for their dedication and support,” he said.
A lifelong football fan, Nadeem said the sport’s ability to unite people across cultures inspired the anthem.
His musical journey began at the age of 10, playing keyboard at school events before performing at weddings and private functions. Since 2002, he has entertained audiences at corporate events across the region while also composing commercial jingles for various companies.
As a one-man band, he has shared the stage with renowned artists from India, Pakistan, and Africa, including Bali Brahmbhatt, Sukhbir, Asrani, Asif Mehdi, Shana Shakeel, Bushoke, and MB Dogg.
Among his career highlights are composing and performing the theme song for the 2010 Asian Beach Games and releasing his multilingual international album FOR ALL in 2015. More recently, he has continued releasing original music, including the Hindi singles Talab Hai, Tere Ada, and Main Tera Romeo, along with a tribute song for the Oman national football team.
Driven by passion and perseverance, Nadeem hopes to take his music beyond borders while celebrating the universal language of music and sport.
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