There are some things
you already know about 28-year-old Iranian crooner ARASH. He was born
in Iran, but spent the majority of his life in Sweden. Since his early
teen years, Arash has been producing and writing music, and it seems
fitting that he made it out of Sweden, which has evolved into a hotbed
of music for talented young Iranians.
But there are also some things you don’t know.
Like how his 13-year relationship with
current manager HENRIK UHLMANN and producing partner ROBERT UHLMANN
culminated in success last fall when Warner Music Sweden released the
single Boro Boro, a Middle Eastern and Indian hybrid that scorched music
charts from Malmo – Arash’s hometown in Sweden – to
Bombay. The same Bombay where Arash the singer took his first steps
as Arash the actor by appearing in the upcoming film Bluffmaster, set
to be released in November and starring popular Bollywood actor Abrichek
Bachan, the son of famed actress Amita Bachan.
And how he recently appeared on the renowned
British music show “Top of the Pops,” where he performed
with KELLY OSBOURNE and COLDPLAY, and his MTV Europe Beach Party concert
alongside international pop singer SHAGGY. Arash took some time to relax
and chat with NYLA Magazine about the release of his second album, the
shooting of his fourth music video in Argentina (for the single Arash).
What was the first thing you indulged in
when you got your first big check?
I bought 40 hats! And then I bought myself a condominium in Malmo.
Thankfully, my album has been successful because of a little bit of
luck, and because I bring a new style.
What does your family think of your success?
My parents are very supportive, and my two younger brothers are very
happy. For my early August performance in Dubai with DJ Aligator,
my father joined me on the road for the first time.
Your duet with Ebi (Ey Yar Begoo) has carved
quite a niche on the nightclub and party circuit. At some events,
the DJs actually turn off the sound and the people sing your part,
word by word.
That’s great to hear. I knew him as one of our country’s
biggest singers, and when we decided to collaborate, it would be a
great project. I am going to work with Ebi for his next album and
produce a couple of songs.
Everyone has a different favorite Arash song.
What’s your favorite track?
I like Tike Tike Kardi, but there’s also Baskon, a collaboration
with my friend Timbuktu. Timbuktu has opened for such artists as Eminem,
50 Cent, G-Unit – he is the biggest hip hop artist in all of
Scandinavia. I love hip hop music, so that is one of my favorites.
But like you said, everyone has their favorite song. The magic thing
with my songs is that they are in a language in a song people don’t
understand. If I had sung Boro Boro in English, I don’t think
it would have been the same. I love seeing all these different places,
and I get inspiration from these different places and seeing what
songs people like.
What’s your relationship like with
your manager, Henrik Uhlmann?
He’s fantastic, and he has just put so much time into my career
and DJ Aligator’s career. He has other artists as well that
he works with, but his commitment is great to us.
Now, the question all of your fans want to
ask you, Who’s Behnaz? It’s also the name of track 12
on your album after her.
Behnaz is someone very special to me. She’s beautiful, likable,
and educated. She just finished her master’s degree in corporate
finance and she will start working this year. But, if she is ‘shaytoon
(devilish),’ then I’m going to have to make a Boro Boro
Part 2 on my next album! Just kidding!
Where are your favorite places to perform
or visit?
I loved Dubai the first time I was there, and Malaysia, where I shot
my “Temptation” music video, was just amazing and beautiful.
I also recently did a show in South Russia just above the Caspian
Sea, and that was great, just to be close to Iran. I dream of one
day performing in Iran, and hopefully next summer in Germany at the
World Cup of Soccer.
Read more about Arash and the inside scoop on
the making of his second album in the October 2005 issue.
-Shayaun
Ashtiani
