Arif Zahir
Arif Zahir | ||||||||||
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Born | Arif Zahir Lopes-Thrower[1] April 15, 1994[2] Berkeley, California, U.S. | |||||||||
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Alma mater | Hussian College (dropped out)[3] | |||||||||
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Years active | 2007–present | |||||||||
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YouTube information | ||||||||||
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Years active | 2007–present | |||||||||
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Last updated: March 11, 2021 |
Arif Zahir Lopes-Thrower (born April 15, 1994), also known as Azerrz and 4rif, is an American actor, musician, and internet personality.[4][5] His YouTube channel features voice impressions of a plethora of celebrities and cartoon characters with 7+ million subscribers.[6][7][8] Since 2020, Zahir has voiced Cleveland Brown on the television series Family Guy, succeeding Mike Henry.[9][10][11][12]
Early life and education
Zahir is of African-American and Cape Verdean descent and was born on April 15, 1994, in Berkeley, California. He was partially raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts where he attended Nativity Preparatory School and Keith Middle School before moving back to California in 2007.[13]
Zahir began doing voice impressions in middle school to impress his classmates. He originally made a YouTube channel in 2007 which focused on performing magic tricks.[14] After doing so and finding success he started attending Hussian College's campus in Los Angeles. He later dropped out to spend more time focusing on his YouTube career.[3]
Career
Zahir created his YouTube channel in 2012 but posted his first video in 2013.[4][15] He started out by posting comedic sketches, gaming videos, and videos of himself performing voice impressions of both cartoon characters and real celebrities.[9][16][17] Zahir garnered initial success through his voice impressions which he started doing in 2011.[18][19][20] One of the first voices Zahir did was of Cleveland Brown who he would go on to voice several years later.[21][22][23]
Zahir landed his first acting role playing a character named Arif in the short film No One But Lydia. Starting in 2018, he became a recurring cast member on How It Should Have Ended voicing Black Panther / T'Challa.[24] Through community challenges and his first viral hit with "Ted Plays Call of Duty" (which has over 20M+ views), Arif quickly grew his channel to over 6.5+ million subscribers and 650+ million views.[25]
He is also a rapper and singer and releases music under the moniker 4rif. He released his debut album At Last Sight on August 30, 2019.[26] He followed it up with an EP called Go Gadget/Blues Clues which was released on April 29, 2020, in collaboration with rapper Dlngqnt.[27]
On June 26, 2020, Mike Henry, who had voiced Cleveland Brown since 1999, announced he was stepping down and believed a person of color should voice the role.[28][29][30] On September 25, 2020, it was announced that Zahir would be voicing Cleveland starting in Season 20 of Family Guy.[31][32][33][34]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | No One But Lydia | Arif | Short film; credited as Arif Lopes |
2016 | Eraser | Death | Short film; credited as Arif Lopes |
The Invisible Shadow | The Bagged Man | Short film; credited as Arif Lopes | |
2017 | Everyone But Me | Andre[35] | Short film |
Hues and Hidden Kings | A Hidden King | Short film | |
2019 | The Golden Realm: An American Larping Experience | Peter, Kalthor | Short film |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Cliffhanger | Ted | 3 episodes |
2018 | G.P.A. | Xander Holland[36] | 4 episodes[37][38][39][40] |
2018–present | How It Should Have Ended[24] | Black Panther / T'Challa | 3 episodes; voice role[41][42][43] |
2019 | Internet Rich | Himself | 1 episode |
2020 | Party Chat[44] | Arif[45] | Web series; also producer[46] |
2020 | VENN: Arcade Live[47] | Himself | Episode "Voice Impressions with Azerrz + WWE Superstar Zelina Vega Throw Down"[48] |
2021–present | Family Guy[49][50][51] | Cleveland Brown[52][53][54] | Voice role; replaced Mike Henry starting in season 20 after he stepped down[10][9][55] |
2021 | Rocky | Clubber[56] | Voice role |
2022 | American Dad! | Reginald | 1 episode; voice role |
Robot Chicken | Nelson Mandela | 1 episode; voice role |
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | No Way Out – A Dead Realm Tale | Edgar, William Huxley, librarian, Clown | Voice roles |
Music videos
Year | Song | Artist | Role | Director |
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2018 | Down the Line[57] | Lokl Yokl | The Bartender | Ryan Rosenblum |
Drunk With You[58] | Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif | Himself | Zane Morrow | |
2019 | August[59] | 4rif | Fowluh | |
Gimme Ya Lovin'[60][61] | Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif | Christina Xing | ||
2020 | At Last Sight/Kids[62] | 4rif | ||
The Window[63] | Ryan Rosenblum |
Discography
Albums
Title | Details |
---|---|
At Last Sight |
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Extended plays
Title | EP details |
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Go Gadget/Blues Clues (with DLNQNT) |
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Venture |
Singles
As lead artist
List of singles as lead artist
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"August"[67] | 2018 | At Last Sight |
"Summers End"[68] | 2019 | Non-album single |
"Wonderful Miracle"[69] | At Last Sight | |
"Channel Lovely"[70] | ||
"Go Gadget" (with DLNQNT)[71] | 2020 | Go Gadget/Blues Clues[72] |
"Blues Clues" (with DLNQNT)[71] | ||
"Favorite Girl"[73] | TBA | |
"Ignore Me"[74] | TBA | |
"Cafe in LA"[75] | 2021 | TBA |
"Leave Me (August II)"[76] | TBA | |
"Note to Me"[77] | 2022 | TBA |
As featured artist
List of singles as featured artist
Title | Year | Album |
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"Hope County" (NerdOut featuring 4rif and Legiqn)[78] | 2018 | Year 3 |
"Drunk With You" (Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif)[79] | Non-album single | |
"Gimme Ya Lovin'" (Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif)[60] | 2019 | Non-album single |
"G League"(DLNQNT featuring 4rif)[80] | DZJNTD Vol. 1 – DNT PLY |
References
- ^ "Venn Guest Azerrz". www.venn.tv. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Zahir, Arif (April 15, 2020). "Happy birthday babyyyy @Azerrz". Twitter. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Schneider, Michael (October 14, 2020). "How 'Family Guy' Newcomer Arif Zahir Landed His Big Break as the New Cleveland Brown". Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "Azerrz's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "4rif's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' Casts YouTube Star Arif Zahir as the New Voice of Cleveland Brown". Variety. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ Moore, Camille (October 2, 2020). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Arif Zahir". TVOvermind. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Family Guy Finds New Cleveland Voice Actor with YouTube Star Arif Zahri". Collider. September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c Schneider, Michael (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' Casts YouTube Star Arif Zahir as the New Voice of Cleveland Brown". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ a b Leah Asmelash. "'Family Guy' finds new voice for Cleveland Brown". CNN. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "'Family Guy' casts YouTube star Arif Zahir as Cleveland Brown". NBC News. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "YouTuber Arif Zahir Cast as Cleveland's New Voice on 'Family Guy'". TMZ. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ Paleologos, Phil (October 28, 2020). "New Bedford Native the New Voice of Cleveland Brown [Phil-osophy]". 1420 WBSM. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "Arif Lopes's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "How Arif Zahir Went From YouTube To 'Family Guy'". www.backstage.com. December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ Hale, James (September 28, 2020). "YouTuber Arif Zahir To Voice Cleveland Brown On 'Family Guy'". tubefilter. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
- ^ "YouTuber Arif Zahir is the new voice of Cleveland on Family Guy". News. September 27, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
- ^ "Watch: This is Wakanda — A hilarious Black Panther parody of Childish Gambino's powerful music video". Firstpost. May 29, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "Arif Zahir Breaks Out as the New Cleveland Brown on 'Family Guy'". Animation World Network. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "Family Guy and The Simpsons Recast Major Black Characters". IGN Southeast Asia. September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Young, Julius (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy's Cleveland Brown to be voiced by YouTube star Arif Zahir". Fox News. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ Itzkoff, Dave (September 25, 2020). "Cleveland on 'Family Guy' to Be Voiced by Arif Zahir". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "Arif Zahir Replaces Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown on Family Guy". ComingSoon.net. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ a b "How Black Panther Should Have Ended". ScreenRant. May 21, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ "Spotlight on Arif Zahir: Unconventional Ways To Land An Acting Gig". forCreators.com. October 19, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ a b At Last Sight by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ "Dlnqnt and 4rif Drop "Go Gadget / Blues CLues" EP". Show Out Hip-Hop. April 29, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "White Actor Who Voiced Black 'Family Guy' Character Steps Down". TMZ. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ Leah Asmelash. "Mike Henry will no longer voice Cleveland on 'Family Guy'". CNN. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "5 White Voice Actors Who Gave Up Roles as Characters of Color (Photos)". TheWrap. September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Atad, Corey (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' Casts YouTuber Arif Zahir As The New Voice Of Cleveland". ET Canada. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "Family Guy finds a new Cleveland Brown: Arif Zahir to replace Mike Henry". Northwest 50 Plus. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "'Family Guy' finds a new voice for Cleveland Brown in YouTuber Arif Zahir, known for his voice impressions". KESQ. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "'Family Guy' Finds a New Voice for Cleveland Brown, But You Won't Hear Him This Season". /Film. September 27, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "Everyone But Me | Narrative Music Video (feat. Azerrz) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "G.P.A. Official Trailer – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "G.P.A. Episode 1 | "The Team" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "G.P.A. Episode 2 | "The Plan" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "G.P.A. Episode 3 | "The Heist" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "G.P.A. Episode 4 | "The End?" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "How Black Panther Should Have Ended – Animated Parody – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "How Avengers Infinity War Should Have Ended – Animated Parody – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "HISHE Dubs – Avengers Infinity War (Comedy Recap) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "New YouTube show, "Party Chat," is "The League meets Call of Duty: Warzone" | | Marijuanapy The World News". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ ""Babe Blocked Me!" (Party Chat – Episode 1) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Duwe, Scott (July 13, 2020). "New YouTube show, "Party Chat," is "The League meets Call of Duty: Warzone"". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "Azerrz Episodes". www.venn.tv. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ "Voice Impressions with Azerrz + WWE Superstar Zelina Vega Throw Down | VENN Arcade Live | Episode 11 – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Jensen, Erin. "'Family Guy': Arif Zahir takes over Cleveland Brown role from white actor Mike Henry". USA Today. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "'Family Guy' Taps Arif Zahir As The New Voice Of Cleveland Brown". shadowandact.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "Voice Artists Of Color Join Casts Of 'The Simpsons' And 'Family Guy,' Replacing White Actors". Cartoon Brew. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "'Family Guy' finds new voice for Cleveland Brown in YouTuber Arif Zahir". wusa9.com. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ Asmelash, Leah. "'Family Guy' finds a new voice for Cleveland Brown in YouTuber Arif Zahir, known for his voice impressions". Jackson Progress-Argus. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "Family Guy Casts Arif Zahir as Its New Cleveland". TV Shows. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (June 26, 2020). "'Family Guy' Voice Actor Mike Henry Stepping Down From 'Cleveland Brown' Role". Deadline. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "Rocky – Animated Series – Trailer! – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ "Lokl Yokl – Down the Line". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Joe Thomas Carter – Drunk With You Ft. Arif (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "4rif – August (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Gimme Ya Lovin': Christina Xing's homage to Chaplin for Joe Thomas Carter's new music video". www.adolescent.net. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ "Joe Thomas Carter – Gimme Ya Lovin' Ft. 4RIF (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "4rif – At Last Sight/Kids (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "4rif – The Window (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ Vandergast, Amelia (April 29, 2020). "DLNQNT & 4rif are due to drop their smooth grooving feat of Hip Hop "Go Gadget"". A&R Factory. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ ""@Azerrz where's the next album/EP bro? I'm listening to roses and I'm getting hype for the next release!🔥🔥" "2021"". Twitter. December 10–11, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Zahir, Arif (September 10, 2021). "leaks_8.10.21". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021.
- ^ August – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ Summers End – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ Wonderful Miracle – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ Channel Lovely (Radio Version) – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ a b Go Gadget/Blues Clues – Single by DLNQNT & 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ "DLNQNT & 4rif Release New 2-Track EP". OnThaRizeMag. May 4, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ Favorite Girl – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ Ignore Me – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ Cafe in LA - Single by 4rif, retrieved March 11, 2021
- ^ Leave Me (August II) - Single by 4rif, retrieved September 22, 2021
- ^ Note To Me - Single by 4rif, July 8, 2022, retrieved July 13, 2022
- ^ "Hope County (feat. Azerrz & Legiqn) by NerdOut". Apple Music. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
- ^ Drunk With You (feat. Arif) – Single by Joe Thomas Carter, retrieved February 2, 2021
- ^ G League (feat. 4rif) by DLNQNT, retrieved February 2, 2021
External links
- 1994 births
- Living people
- African-American actors
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- American musicians of Cape Verdean descent
- American YouTubers
- Male actors from Berkeley, California
- Male actors from Massachusetts
- American male YouTubers
- Musicians from Berkeley, California
- People from New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Rappers from Massachusetts
- Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area
- West Coast hip hop musicians
- YouTube channels launched in 2007
- YouTube channels launched in 2012
- 21st-century African-American people
- 21st-century African-American men