Shahin Najafi
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| Shahin Najafi شاهین نجفی |
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|---|---|
| Born | September 10, 1980 Bandar-e Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran |
| Origin | Bandar-e Anzali, Gilan Province, Iran |
| Genres | Iranian hip hop, political hip hop, alternative hip hop, Iranian rock |
| Occupations | Musician, singer, rapper, songwriter, social activist |
| Instruments | Singing, rapping, guitar |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Tapesh 2012 (2006–2008), Pamas-Verlag (2008–2009), Sharr Music (2010–present) |
| Associated acts | Antikarisma, Tapesh 2012, Rapknot, Ghogha, Ziba Shirazi, Ahmad Batebi |
| Website | www.shahinnajafimusic.com |
Shahin Najafi (Persian: شاهین نجفی) (born in 1980 in Bandar-e Anzali, Iran) is an Iranian musician, singer, rapper, songwriter, and social activist[1] currently residing in Germany. He began his music career in Iran before immigrating to Germany in 2005. He has been referred to as being one of the forefronters in the Iran's modern hip hop scene by several experts and critics.
Najafi's songs mostly deal with issues such as theocracy, poverty, sexism, censorship, child labor, execution, and drug addiction. He strives to use poetic, literary, philosophical and political elements in his music.[2][3]
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[edit] Early life
Shahin Najafi was born in 1980 in Bandar-e Anzali, Iran. When he was six years old his father died and later his brother became a drug addict and also died.[4] He began writing poetry as a teenager and began learning the guitar in the classical and flamenco styles at the age of eighteen. He then became an underground artist in Iran, performing in both rock and Spanish music styles, working with various bands.[2]
He studied sociology at the University of Gilan and openly expressed his opinions about the university, leading to him getting expelled.[5]
[edit] Music career
[edit] Immigration to Germany
He was head of a underground music band in Iran before his immigration to Germany but he was banned for singing in Iran by the Iranian government after his second music show.[5] He was also the head of «Inan» music band in Germany. Then he joined to «Tapesh 2012» music band.[6] «Tapesh 2012» were welcomed by Persian broadcasters and the international media by political and social songs and poems of shahin najafi.[7]
An article published in No. 19194 of conservative newspaper Kayhan on September 29, 2008, criticized the Tapesh 2012's activities. Kayhan published the article with the title of Establishing democracy with drum & circle. A part of it is as follows:
| “ | Recently, opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran continue their goals in universities and in the form of vulgar music groups to overthrow the Iranian government. Recently some blogs of opposition students with Marxist tendency have published a statement about «Tapesh 2012» which gives news Establishing One Million Signatures by «Tapesh 2012». This group is vulgar and is composed of some iranian and german that are not affiliated with any party or group. The purpose of this group is attempting to collect signatures and present it on the anniversary of Human rights (10 December) to Parliament of Europe in Brussels. They try to have attracted world media attention to inappropriate conditions in Iran and dissatisfaction of Iranian people. The Parliament of Europe announced the official support for the group plans. But this group is deceiver in our view. They use vulgar songs and create sexual attraction to attract students to oppose the regime.[8] | ” |
[edit] Release of first studio album
On May 1, 2008 (coincided with May Day), Shahin Najafi released his first studio album, Ma mard nistim (We Are Not Men), with partnership and composition of Tapesh 2012 music band. This album was his official and professional beginning in Persian hip hop music. The album attracted the audience and listener more than any album before it was released in Persian hip hop style.[9]
[edit] Separation from Tapesh 2012
Shahin Najafi ended cooperation with the Tapesh 2012 music band from the beginning of 2009. Variety of reasons has been proposed related to his separation from this group. The main reason is releasing without permission "Around us" single song in Voice of America TV. The supervisor of «Tapesh 2012» later apologised to the Shahin Najafi and said: the song has been inadvertently released in Voice of America TV. Shahin Najafi has accepted the apology.[10]
[edit] Reaction to the 2009 Iranian presidential election
Shahin Najafi did not remain silent about Iranian election protests. He released a single named Neda in July 2009 dedicated to Neda Agha-Soltan.[10] He released his second studio album titled Tavahhom (Illusion) on September 19, 2009 by German-Iranian publishing house "Pamas-Verlag". In this album several songs were about heavy protest to Iranian government and occurrence of Suppressed after the presidential election.[11][12] Can be cited to "Vaghti khoda khabe (When God is sleeping)" through these songs. The threads of this song are protest to 2009 Iran poll protests trial, Militia violence, Torture of prisoners and Supreme Leader of Iran. Shahin Najafi tried in a part of the song to visualize the rape scene of Taraneh Mousavi in the minds of listeners.[13]
[edit] Formation of Antikarisma music band
He formed a new rock band as Antikarisma band in January 2010. The new band, Antikarisma, consists of Shahin Najafi, Babak Khazaei, Armin Mostaed, and Pejman Afshari who live in Germany. The new band is another demonstration of Najafi's continuous innovation in music.[14][14]
[edit] Political and social activities
In addition to individual work in his concerts and campaign songs, Shahin Najafi had many performance on various political and social occasions. In October 2008, he had a music show on "Peace Conference" in Germany.[15] In August 2009, with some poets and writers in shows of ""Night of solidarity with the liberal struggle"" Najafi had a protest hip hop show in Stockholm, Sweden.[16] In December 2009, coincided with "Student Day" in Iran, Najafi with Ziba Shirazi had a protest music show in Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.[17] He also published an article in his official blog announcing: "I don't cut my hair until the time of freedom establishment in Iran."[17]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Collaboration albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Ma Iranim (We are Iran) | Tapesh 2012 |
| 2007 | Az Tehran ta Berlin (From Tehran to Berlin) | Tapesh 2012 |
[edit] Studio albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Ma mard nistim (We are not Men) | Tapesh 2012 |
| 2009 | Tavahhom (Illusion) | Pamas-Verlag |
| 2010 | Saale khoon (The Year of Blood) | Sharr Music |
| 2012 | Hich Hich Hich (Nothing Nothing Nothing) | Sharr Music |
[edit] References
- ^ "Shahin Najafi in Interpretation of news program (Voice of America)". International public broadcaster. Voice of America. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAkE0bWF6zk.
- ^ a b "Interview with Shahin Najafi". MANIHA website. http://www.newproline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=748.
- ^ "Interview with Shahin Najafi and more information about illusion album". Deutsche Welle. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4863077,00.html.
- ^ "My past". Shahin Najafi. http://www.sharrmusic.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65&Itemid=67.
- ^ a b "Interview with Shahin Najafi". Broadcaster. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/2010/06/100615_l50_shahin_najafi_solmaz.shtml.
- ^ "Protest of music to the patriarchal society of Iran". RFE/RL. Radio Farda. http://www.radiofarda.com/Article/2008/05/11/f4_Tapesh_band_music_.html.
- ^ "Music Festival Bochum Total and presence and performance of "Tapesh 2012" music band". Deutsche Welle. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4863077,00.html.
- ^ "Establishing democracy with drum & circle: "Tapesh 2012"". Daily newspaper. Kayhan. http://kayhannews.ir/870708/6.htm#other604.
- ^ "The success of "We Are Not Men"". International public broadcaster. Deutsche Welle. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3311081,00.html.
- ^ a b "Separation from Tapesh 2012". Shahin Najafi. http://sharr.blogfa.com/post-108.aspx.
- ^ "more about Illusion". Shahin Najafi. http://www.sharr.blogfa.com/post-146.aspx.
- ^ "more about Illusion(2)". Shahin Najafi. http://www.sharr.blogfa.com/post-147.aspx.
- ^ "more about Illusion: When God is sleeping from Illusion". Shahin Najafi. http://www.sharr.blogfa.com/post-146.aspx.
- ^ a b "Shahin najafi and Antikarisma band". Zir Zamin-Iranian alternative music magazine. Ferri Tafreshi. 10 february 2010. http://www.zirzamin.org/?q=node/871. Retrieved 10 february 2010.
- ^ ""Peace Conference" in Essen, Germany and Shahin Najafi's show". Shahin Najafi. shahin-najafi. 18 July 2009. http://shahinnajafi6.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/%DA%86%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%AD-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%86-%D8%A2%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ "Night of solidarity with the liberal struggle". Shahin Najafi. shahin-najafi. 18 July 2009. http://shahinnajafi6.wordpress.com/2009/08/15/%D8%B4%D8%A8-%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%AA%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%86-28-%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ a b "Ceremony of Student Day in Georgetown University". Shahin Najafi. shahin-najafi. 18 July 2009. http://shahinnajafi6.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%B2%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%AC%D9%88-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%AC. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
