Erfan
Encyclopedia
Erfan Hajrasuliha, better known as Erfan (عِرفان), is an Iranian rapper and producer
. His views are a result of his personal experiences and that is reflected in his poems. His songs provide a mixture of commentary on daily life as well politics, poetry and social issues.
, on August 3, 1983, where he lived with his parents. He moved to Irvine, California
when he was 16 years old. He explains in his interview with Iranian TV that he has moved back and forth between Iran and the United states a few times.
Erfan took poetry and writing as a hobby at a young age. While attending school, he started working with local artists. He later gained fame by producing a single called "Shosteshoo" ( to wash or cleanse) which added a poetic touch to the up and coming Iranian hip-hop scene followed by the song called "Sad Ghasam" (100 Oaths).
and on issues related to immigration registration of Iranians
Erfan's struggles and faith is apparent in many of his songs, such as "Sad Ghasam," which became a popular song early on. The song was featured on Erfan's debut album, Az Khaneh Ta Goor (From the Cradle to the Grave), which was released on M4/Avang Music
and went on to get good reviews.
he names some of his influences as traditional Iranian poets such as Omar Khayyam
, Hafez
and Saddi Shirazi
and more recent Iranian poets such as Sohrab Sepehri
and Parvin E'tesami
. He also mentions traditional Iranian music and names popular Iranian singers Dariush
and Googoosh
as well as American rappers Tupac Shakur
, Nas
and Mos Def
.
in Iran,he released a song called Tasmim (Decision) about the events of the election in which he expressed sorrow, frustration, and a request for the movement to continue. He continued supporting the Green Movement of Iran on his facebook page. He also gave out songs like "In Khak" for the movement.
In 2008, Erfan was featured on the IRIB documentary "Shock".
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. His views are a result of his personal experiences and that is reflected in his poems. His songs provide a mixture of commentary on daily life as well politics, poetry and social issues.
Life and career
Erfan was born in Isfahan, IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, on August 3, 1983, where he lived with his parents. He moved to Irvine, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
when he was 16 years old. He explains in his interview with Iranian TV that he has moved back and forth between Iran and the United states a few times.
Erfan took poetry and writing as a hobby at a young age. While attending school, he started working with local artists. He later gained fame by producing a single called "Shosteshoo" ( to wash or cleanse) which added a poetic touch to the up and coming Iranian hip-hop scene followed by the song called "Sad Ghasam" (100 Oaths).
Work to date
He released his debut album Az Khaneh ta Goor (From the Cradle to the Grave) in 2007. Erfan’s focus on his first album was to introduce Iranian Hiphop to a wider audience and detail some of his frustrations with Iranian music. The album was named after a poem by Molaana Rumi about death. The album encompasses some of his thoughts as a travelling immigrant from his home country Iran. On September 1st, 2011 Erfan released the single, 'Donya Male Maast" Featuring Sami Beigi. The single was written by Erfan and produced by Tag Team Music. Music video was directed by Ali Zamani and Babak Vousoughi.Album: Az Khaneh Ta Goor (2007)
On July 24, 2007, Erfan released his first album. Earlier events had provided inspiration for Erfan's first Album. Erfan was briefly arrested and jailed in 2002. by American authorities after the September 11, 2001 attacksSeptember 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
and on issues related to immigration registration of Iranians
Erfan's struggles and faith is apparent in many of his songs, such as "Sad Ghasam," which became a popular song early on. The song was featured on Erfan's debut album, Az Khaneh Ta Goor (From the Cradle to the Grave), which was released on M4/Avang Music
Avang Music
Avang Music is an Iranian American record label based in Encino, California.-Current Artists:As of July 2011 the current artists are signed to Avang Music, according to the labels website :*Amo*Andy*Ando *Arian Band*Bahador Kharazmi*Banan...
and went on to get good reviews.
Album: Hamishegi (2010)
On September 16, 2010 Erfan released "Hamishegi" and this album is for sale now.Musical style and influence
Erfan has said that "many old school/new school musicians and many old school/new school Iranian poets " have influenced him in his style,. In his interview with Radio JavanRadio Javan
Radio Javan is the first online Persian radio station.- Persian music 24/7 :Radio Javan was started in October 2004 by a group of young Iranians from Atlanta and Washington, D.C. communities with the goal of providing around-the-clock Iranian music to listeners all over the world.Radio Javan plays...
he names some of his influences as traditional Iranian poets such as Omar Khayyam
Omar Khayyám
Omar Khayyám was aPersian polymath: philosopher, mathematician, astronomer and poet. He also wrote treatises on mechanics, geography, mineralogy, music, climatology and theology....
, Hafez
Hafez
Khwāja Shamsu d-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī , known by his pen name Hāfez , was a Persian lyric poet. His collected works composed of series of Persian poetry are to be found in the homes of most Iranians, who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and sayings to this day...
and Saddi Shirazi
Saadi (poet)
Abū-Muḥammad Muṣliḥ al-Dīn bin Abdallāh Shīrāzī better known by his pen-name as Saʿdī or, simply, Saadi, was one of the major Persian poets of the medieval period. He is not only famous in Persian-speaking countries, but he has also been quoted in western sources...
and more recent Iranian poets such as Sohrab Sepehri
Sohrab Sepehri
Sohrab Sepehri was a notable modern Persian poet and a painter.He was born in Kashan in Isfahan province....
and Parvin E'tesami
Parvin E'tesami
Parvin E'tesami , also Parvin Etesami was a 20th century Persian poet of Iran. According to Ali Akbar Dehkhoda, her given name was Rakhshanda .-Life:...
. He also mentions traditional Iranian music and names popular Iranian singers Dariush
Dariush Eghbali
Dariush Eghbali better known by his stage name Dariush is a famous Iranian pop singer best known for his warm and plaintive bass voice heard in both ballads and political songs. He is also a social activist who directs a recovery center.-Early life:...
and Googoosh
Googoosh
Faegheh Atashin also known by her stage name Googoosh is an Iranian singer and actress. She is known for her contributions to Iranian pop music, but also starred in a variety of movies from the 1950s to the 1970s. She achieved the pinnacle of her fame and success towards the end of the 1970s...
as well as American rappers Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
, Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
and Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
.
Social causes
Erfan frequently writes and records on social issues. In 2007, he collaborated on a PSA (Public Service Announcement) for PACI (Persian American Cancer Institute). In July 2009, following the Post 2009 election eventsIranian presidential election, 2009
Iran's tenth presidential election was held on 12 June 2009, with incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad running against three challengers. The next morning the Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran's official news agency, announced that with two-thirds of the votes counted, Ahmadinejad had won the election...
in Iran,he released a song called Tasmim (Decision) about the events of the election in which he expressed sorrow, frustration, and a request for the movement to continue. He continued supporting the Green Movement of Iran on his facebook page. He also gave out songs like "In Khak" for the movement.
In 2008, Erfan was featured on the IRIB documentary "Shock".