Erfan (rapper)

Erfan Hajrasuliha (Persian: عرفان حاج‌رسولی‌ها‎), known professionally as Erfan Pāydār (Persian: عرفان پایدار‎), is an Iranian rapper, songwriter, producer, and label owner.[1] He is one of the pioneers of Persian Rap. Erfan's "Az Khaneh Ta Goor" (Persian: از خانه تا گور) was the one of the first professionally produced Persian rap albums, released by a major record label. He is nicknamed as "Sun of Persian Rap" (Persian: خورشید رپ فارسی) by his fans. He is the founder of the label Paydar.

Erfan (عِرفان)
Erfan in 2008
Background information
Birth nameErfan Hajrasuliha
Born (1983-08-03) 3 August 1983
Isfahan, Isfahan Province, Iran
OriginIsfahan, Tehran, Irvine
GenresHip hop, Iranian hip hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, songwriter, singer
InstrumentsVocals
LabelsAvang Music, Paydar, RadioJavan
Websitepoeterfan.com

His views are a result of his personal experiences and that is reflected in his poems.[2] His songs provide a mixture of commentary on daily life as well politics, poetry and social issues.[3][4]


Erfan Hajrasuliha, born on August 3, 1983 in Isfahan, known as "Erfan" and "Erfan Paydar,” is an Iranian rapper and poet. Erfan began his rap music career with the release of the single "Shosteshoo" and in 2007 he released his first album entitled "Az Khaneh Ta Goor." Az Khaneh Ta Goor was the first professionally produced Persian rap album made available in the international market. This album was a monumental start in the development of Persian rap.

In addition to Az Khaneh Ta Goor, Erfan has, to date, released three more albums including, Hamishegi, Khodafezi and Ayatoltrap (with Gdaal). Erfan's next album titled Angizeh (accompanied by Dara Paydar) is to be released on August 2, 2020.

Erfan took a hiatus from music for two years following the release Khodafezi.  According to Erfan, the reasons for his farewell is fully stated in this album. Then, in 2018, he made his return with the release of the single "Khosh Oomadi" featuring Canis.

In addition to music, Erfan has worked in other fields including directing, photography, podcast production (Nomadland Podcast), establishing Paydar Fit and Cuché sustainable apparel brands.

Biography

Life and career

Erfan was born in Isfahan, Iran, on 3 August 1983. He ended his career after the "Khodahafezi" (meaning Goodbye) album was released in 2016 but he returned to Iranian hip-hop in 2018 with the single song "Khosh Omadi" (meaning welcome back).[5].[6]

Work to date

He released his debut album Az Khaneh Ta Goor (From the Cradle to the Grave) in 2007.[7] Erfan's focus on his first album was to introduce Iranian hip hop 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.[8] On 1 September 2011 Erfan released the single, 'Donya Male Maast" featuring Sami Beigi.[9]

Az Khaneh Ta Goor (2007)

On 24 July 2007, Erfan released his first album. Earlier events had provided inspiration for Erfan's first album. Erfan was briefly arrested and jailed in 2002.[10] "Sad Ghasam" was featured on Erfan's debut album, Az Khaneh Ta Goor.

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.[11] In his interview with Radio Javan 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 singers Dariush and Googoosh as well as American rappers Tupac Shakur, Nas and Mos Def.[12]

Social causes

In 2007, he collaborated on a public service announcement for the Persian American Cancer Institute.[13] In July 2009, following the Post 2009 election events 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.[14] He continued supporting the Green Movement of Iran on his Facebook page.[15](subscription required)

Khodahafezi

In 2016, he released an album which he ended his career with. This album includes 15 tracks named Mosafer, Almas, Gaahi, Khodafezi, Chimigi, Alefba, Virus, Enekas, Barnameh, Rahe Man2, Khuneye Madarbozorge (remix), Ghahvetalkh, Lorazpam Intro (skit), Lorazpam, Khodafezi (remix). He made this album featuring Taham, Gdaal, Cornellaa, Behzad Leito, Nona, Khashayar, Paya, Sijal, Sami Beigi and album mixed and mastered by APlus and AFX. His reason for ending to his career is mentioned in "Khodafezi" track, which was the fourth track of his Khodafezi album.

Khosh Oomadi

in 2018, he came back to the market by his song named Khosh Oomadi (Featuring Canis). Sina Valiollah, producer of Chand Shanbe ba Sina, asked him that is there any relation between Khodafezi and Khosh Oomadi because you finished your career by Khodafezi and you started it again by Khosh oomadi. But he said "No there was not any relation between my song's name and my career."

After Khosh Oomadi

He released two songs after Khosh Oomadi named, Mano Natarsoun (Featuring Ho3ein) and Hale Man Khoobeh.

Albums
  • Az Khaneh Ta Goor (2007)
  • Hamishegi (2010)
  • Khodafezi (2016)
  • Ayatol Trap (2018)
  • Angizeh (2020)

References
  1. "An interview with Erfan, an Iranian rapper out of USA". Zirzamin Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
  2. "Erfan Interview". Radio Javan. Retrieved 20 August 2006.
  3. "Erfan Interview with Voice of America". Voice of America; Youtube. Retrieved 20 August 2006.
  4. Ferani, Leyla (10 November 2010). "Why Iran is cracking down on rap music?". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  5. "Erfan Official Website". Biography Summary. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  6. "Erfan Haj | Partners Trust Associate". www.thepartnerstrust.com. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  7. "eWorldRecords release date". eWorldRecords. Retrieved 2 November 2007.
  8. "An interview with Erfan, an Iranian rapper out of USA". Zirzamin – Iranian Alternate Music Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
  9. "Donya Male Mast Official Music Video; Youtube". Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  10. "Erfan Interview: From Cali to Tehran". Future Rock Stars of America; Youtube. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  11. "Influences". Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  12. "Erfan Interview". Radio Javan. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2006.
  13. "PACI- Public Service Announcement". Persian American Cancer Institute. Archived from the original on 20 July 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
  14. "MTV Report-Persian Rap for keeping on". Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  15. Erfan's support for 25 Bahman protests
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