Zedbazi

Zedbazi (Persian: زدبازی‎) is an Iranian hip hop band, formed by longtime friends Saman Wilson and Mehrad Hidden from Tehran, and later joined by Alireza JJ, Sohrab MJ, Sijal & Nassim. They are known as the pioneers of gangsta rap in Iran.[2][3]

Zedbazi
OriginTehran, Iran[1]
GenresHip hop, Gangsta rap, Pop-rap
Years active1999–2014; 2020–present

The band was officially suspended in October 2014 due to personal reasons. On May 20, 2020 Zedbazi announced they are back on their Instagram page. Shortly after on June 10, 2020, they released two single tracks named Yakh (یخ; meaning ice), a diss track to Hichkas and Moltafet, and Bache Mahal (بچه محل; meaning neighborhood's kid) talking about their past path to becoming famous from the beginning of Persian Rap in Iran. The songs were released on Radio Javan. Moltafet, including the artists Mahdyar Aghajani and Ashkan Fadaei responded with their own reaction diss track. They discussed Zedbazi's ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guards in their song Dige Tablo Shode (دیگه تابلو شده; meaning "it's very obvious").[4]

History

Foundation

The Foundation of the band dates back to early 2002. It was started up by Saman Rezapour (Saman Wilson) and Mehrad Mostofi-Rad (Mehrad Hidden), who were friends in a high school in Tehran. Despite having older experiences in music, the formation of the band as in a hip hop style was motivated by Saman's cover of Eminem's Without Me, which was performed with a matched vulgar lyrics written in Persian. After moving to London, they met Sohrab Mostavafi (Sohrab MJ) in a summer school, where he joined the band after collaborating on Kal Kal (کل‌کل – Kal-kal, "Argue"), a cover of D12's Rap Game.

The first collaboration of Siavash Jalali (Sijal) and Alireza Jazayeri (Alireza JJ) with the band's earlier members was Berim Faza (بریم فضا – Berim Fazā, "(Let's) Go to Space"), produced by Alireza JJ in 2005. Siavash and Alireza were best friends in Paris, where they had also met Nassim Parize, an Iranian finalist at the French reality TV show Star Academy (Season 5) with her twin sister, Neissa.

The three future band members officially joined Zedbazi by releasing Tabestoon Kootahe (تابستون کوتاهه – Tābestun Kutāh e, "Summer is Short") in September 2007. They brought a new style into the band, as Mehrad Hidden remarks in Ardeshir Ahmadi's Zedbazi Documentary. "The formula they brought was different than ours. Our formula was necessary for the inception, theirs was necessary for the continuation."[5]

The name Zedbazi (زدبازی – Zedbāzi) consists of the words zed ("Z", the first letter of zakhar meaning mate) and bāzi ("play"). It is what Saman and his friends used to call each other in high school,[5] and according to the band, it can mean both "an old and close friend" and "an old-fashioned and fusty person"; it depends on the purpose. Therefore, Zedbazi can be translated as "the zakhar acts."

Popularity
Zedbazi in the Iranian Intergalactic Music Festival (October 22, 2006).

Zedbazi emerged at the same time as Hichkas, and rapidly garnered a huge popularity between the youth, due to their controversial lyrics, littered with profanities, depictions of sexual encounters and drug use.[6]

Tabestoon Kootahe is considered as Zedbazi's most popular song, which was released in September 2007. It is about "the bittersweet feeling" of summertime in Iran.[6]

Separation

In October 2014, the band announced a separation between the members. It was due to some internal disagreements. Saman Wilson, who had not been attending to the band's songs after Tabestoon Kootahe,[5] returned and joined Mehrad Hidden, forming a new band named Bozorg (بزرگ – Bozorg, "Great"). Alireza JJ, Sijal, and Nassim decided to work together, and Sohrab MJ worked alone. They returned to Persian Rap in June 2020 by releasing two tracks.[7]

Allegations have existed about Zedbazi's ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guards.[8] In March 2020, a video emerged on Iranian social media showing one of the lead vocalists of Zedbazi, Sohrab MJ attending an event in one of the Rahian-e Noor zones.[9] Rahian-e Noor events are typically attended and run by members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Basiji milita.[10] Despite rap being banned in Iran, members of the group travel back and forth between Europe and Iran regularly.[11] The June 2020 song released by Mahdyar and Fadaei Dige Tablo Shode ( دیگه تابلو شده; meaning "it's very obvious") examines some of these controversies.[4]

Members
Left to right: Alireza JJ, Nassim, Sohrab MJ, Sijal, and Mehrad Hidden; Zedbazi Documentary (2014).
  • Mehrad Hidden – vocals, guitar, piano, composition, production (2002–Present)
  • Saman Wilson – vocals (2002–2007; 2014–Present)
  • Sohrab MJ – vocals (2003–Present)
  • Sijal – vocals (2005–Present)
  • Alireza JJ – vocals, piano, composition, production (2005–Present)
  • Nassim – vocals, backing vocals (2005–Present)

Discography

Zedbazi

Until 2012, the band had yet to release an album, and their songs were provided as singles.

Their first studio album, Zakhar Nameh (زاخارنامه – Zāxār Nāme, "The Zakhar Book"), was released on June 4, 2012. All of the band members, except Saman Wilson, were involved in the album, featuring Hichkas, Behzad Leito and Arash Dara.

Studio album[12]
Title Details Featuring Artists Producers
Zakhar Nameh
  • Released on Jun 10, 2012
  • Label: Zedbazi
 Behzad Leito, Hichkas, and Arash Dara Alireza JJ, Mehrad Hidden, and Arash Dara
Singles[12]
Title year Member(s) Album
Diss Ajili 2002 Saman Wilson N/A
Mehmooni 2003 Mehrad Hidden, Saman Wilson
Kal Kal Sohrab MJ, Mehrad Hidden,taha kamyar and Saman Wilson
Ahangamoon Khodast 2004
Party
Az Khazar ta Khalije Fars
Diss back Mehrad Hidden, Saman Wilson
Aroosak Sohrab MJ, Mehrad Hidden, and Saman Wilson
Berim Faza 2005 Sijal, Sohrab MJ, Saman Wilson
Male Ham Boodim Sijal, Sohrab MJ
Vase Har Irani Saman Wilson,Hichkas
Amade Bash Sohrab MJ, Mehrad Hidden
Bi Hess 2006 Sijal, Sohrab MJ, Mehrad Hidden, Saman Wilson, Taha Kamy
Tabestoon Kootahe 2007 Sijal, Alireza JJ, Mehrad Hidden, Saman Wilson, Nassim
Guitare Koli 2008 Alireza JJ, Sijal, Nassim
Shahre Tarik Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Sohrab MJ
Zendegie Mane 2009 Mehrad Hidden, Sijal, Nassim, Alireza JJ, Sohrab MJ
Zamin Safe
Chon Ke Divoonatam Mehrad Hidden, Sohrab MJ, Taha Kamy
Kooche Sijal, Mehrad Hidden, Sohrab MJ,Taha Kamy
Iroonie L.A. Alireza JJ, Sijal, Mehrad Hidden
Coocooli Koo
Daro Baz Kon 2010 Mehrad Hidden, Sijal, Alireza JJ
Talafate Jang Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ
Daastaane Maa Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Nassim
Mesle Man Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ
Pedare Man (Bad Mano Negah Mikone) 2011 Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Sohrab MJ, Sijal, Taha Kamy
Mysterious Eyes Sijal, Sohrab MJ, Alireza JJ
Bekhand Masnooyi Mehrad Hidden, Sijal
Taze Shoru e Zendegimoone Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Sohrab MJ, Sijal, Nassim
Saat Vayse 2012 Sijal, Alireza JJ, Mehrad Hidden, Nassim, Behzad Leito, DJ AFX
Tehran Male Mane Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Sohrab MJ, Sijal Zakhar Nameh
Cigare Soorati Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Sohrab MJ, Sijal, Nassim
Dorough Tatil Sohrab MJ N/A
Obi 2013 Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Sohrab MJ
Bache Mahal 2020 Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Sohrab Mj, Sijal, Saman Wilson N/A
Yakh 2020 Mehrad Hidden, Alireza JJ, Sohrab Mj, Sijal, Saman Wilson N/A

Alireza JJ, Sijal and Nassim

On July 28, 2014, the album Pir Shodim Vali Bozorg Na (پیر شدیم ولی بزرگ نه – Pir Ŝodim Vali Bozorg Na, "Got Old But Didn't Grow-Up") was released, including only three members of the band (Alireza JJ, Sijal and Nassim) and without the record label of Zedbazi. It was composed by Alireza JJ and DJ AFX, and included Behzad Leito, Paya, Erfan, Sepehr Khalse, Sina Mafee, Magico and Cornellaa as featured artists.

Studio album[12]
Title Details Featuring Artists Producers
Pir Shodim Vali Bozorg Na
  • Released on Jul 28, 2014
  • Label: Radio Javan
 Behzad Leito, Cornellaa, Sohrab MJ, Erfan, Paya, Sepehr Khalse, Sina Mafi, Magico Alireza JJ, DJ AFX
Pir Shodim Vali Bozorg Na 2
  • Released on Sep 23, 2016
  • Label: Radio Javan
 Behzad Leito, Sohrab MJ, Sepehr Khalse, Siavash Rad, Wantons (Sami Low) Alireza JJ, Siavash Rad, Sami Low, Behzad Leito, Khashayar SR, DJ AFX

Bozorg

The album Bozorg: Vol. 2 (بزرگ: ولوم 2 – Bozorg: Volume 2), presented by Bozorg (Saman Wilson and Mehrad Hidden), was released on February 27, 2015; with Sohrab MJ, Arash Dara, Tara Salahi, Kiarash, and Siamak as featured artists. It was composed by Mehrad Hidden, Arash Dara, and DJ Rassek and mastered by Iman Tanha; including 19 tracks .The 2 other volumes are said to be released in future.

Studio album[12]
Title Details Featuring Artists Producers
Bozorg Vol 2
  • Released on Feb 27, 2015
  • Label: RAD Records
 Sohrab MJ, Arash Dara, Tara,taha kamyar, Siamak, Kiarash Mehrad Hidden, Arash Dara

Mehrad Hidden

The album Toonel vol.1 (تونل جلد 1), presented by Mehrad Hidden was released on February 2, 2017; with Saman Wilson, , Sohrab MJ, Zakhmi, Arash Dara, Sijal and Canis as featured artists and DJ Rassek as featured composer. Toonel was Composed/produced by Mehrad Hidden and Canis and mastered by Iman Tanha; including 11 tracks in genre of Rock and Hip-Hop and sponsored by Bose. The other volume is said to be released in 2020.

Studio album[12]
Title Details Featuring Artists Producers
Toonel vol.1
  • Released on Feb 2, 2017
  • Label : Radio Javan
 Saman Wilson, DJ Rassek, Sohrab MJ, Zakhmi, Arash Dara, Sijal, and Canis Mehrad Hidden, Canis

Sohrab MJ

Sohrab MJ released his first album, Yeksin, on September 20, 2017. Alireza JJ is responsible for the production of the album while producing four tracks, and Khashayar Sr producing the remaining track. Yeksin Includes five tracks with guest artists from Zedbazi (every member excluding Saman Wilson) and Behzad Leito.

Studio album[12]
Title Details Featuring Artists Producers
Yeksin
  • Released on Sep 20, 2017
  • Label : Radio Javan
 Mehrad Hidden, Behzad Leito, Alireza JJ, Sijal, and Nassim Alireza JJ, Khashayar Sr
gollark: It checks the ID, right?
gollark: And nice extra features, like non-integer channel names.
gollark: As well as not needing modems.
gollark: No, but it's honest about it.
gollark: →

References
  1. DJBooth: Alireza JJ on Iran's Thriving & Illegal Underground Hip-Hop Scene – Feb 2018
  2. Rebels of rap reign in Iran
  3. Iran's 'illegal' rappers want cultural revolution.
  4. Fadaei, Ashkan (June 12, 2020). "Dige Tablo Shode". YouTube.
  5. Ahmadi, Ardeshir (director). Zedbazi Documentary (Documentary film). Radio Javan.
  6. Al Jazeera: Inside Iran's 'revolutionary' rap – September 2014
  7. PODCAST #8 ANSWERS ON BOZORG ALBUM AND ZEDBAZI, Alireza JJ, February 25, 2015
  8. "☠☠☠☠☠سرباز سپاه زد بازي☠☠☠☠☠". ☠☠☠☠☠سرباز سپاه زد بازي☠☠☠☠☠ (in Persian). Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  9. "سهراب mj در راهیان نور، یادمان شلمچه". آپارات - سرویس اشتراک ویدیو (in Persian). Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  10. Tehran, A. Correspondent in (2014-04-01). "Iran-Iraq battlefield tours spark controversy in Iran". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  11. Müller, Nicola Rose,Quentin (2018-05-08). "Rap is Banned in Iran, But the Underground Scene is Flourishing". Vice. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  12. iTunes: Zedbazi
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.