Stereotypes often box Iranians into the fields of doctor, engineer or realtor, but they sure know how to have fun.
It is not unusual for family gatherings – which always welcome many guests – to change from dinner to dance party in the blink of an eye. Guests use various instruments as if pulled from the ether, a circle forms in the center of the room and a party ensues. So it’s no surprise that the passionate spirit has found its way into electronic dance music.
Creativity courses in Iran at every genre level. There are artists approaching the EDM apex, rising DJs blossoming on the festival circuit and enduring veterans, all sharing an Iranian heritage.
For months, Iranians have been protesting the alleged murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of religious morality in Iran. Death, injury and imprisonment are the punishments meted out to those who demand a change in leadership. More than 500 protesters, including 69 minors, were reportedly killed on December 22, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA).
The determination of those fighting for freedom is paramount, yet an important part of empathizing with a cause is relating to it. Iranians are bright, vibrant people who will continue to influence the EDM community. Read on to meet five amazing dance music artists of Iranian descent.
Rezz
Rezz hypnotized his way to electronic music superstardom. Her cauldron spewing was an enchantment unlike any other. His unique sound design, trance-inducing visuals and magnetic stage presence set him apart from his contemporaries.
Rezz adopted his stage name from his Iranian surname. Isabelle Rezazadeh was born to an Iranian father and a Ukranian mother in Kharkiv, Ukraine before the family moved to Niagra Falls in Ontario, Canada. His heritage and upbringing can be traced across three different continents.
Severus Snape, in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, describes Rezz well: “I can teach you how to trick the mind and trap the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, create glory and even put a stopper on death.”
Sevdaliza
Sevdaliza.
Sevdaliza’s many gifts and skills are reflected in her boundary-pushing fusion of R&B and electronic music. Born in Tehran and raised in Rotterdam, the Iranian-Dutch artist is a creative tour de force. He is a singer, songwriter, record producer, visual artist and director who speaks five languages fluently: Dutch, English, French, Persian and Portuguese.
Sevdaliza even got a basketball scholarship and played for the Dutch national team. Oh, and he also has a Master’s degree in communications.
Sevdaliza’s conviction is loud and clear in her music. 2017’s “Bebin,” a Persian-language track, references Donald Trump’s Executive Order 13769, which critics more commonly refer to as the “Muslim ban.” Recently, Sevdalizeh released a song titled “Women’s Freedom of Life“in response to atrocities committed against women in Iran.
His latest EP, Dahlia flirted, named after her daughter and dealing with unrealistic societal standards and expectations of women. Sevdaliza released two studio albums, 2017’s ISON and 2020s Shabrangto accompany his five EPs through his record label, Twisted Elegance.
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Good luck finding someone else with a different kind of creative flair than Sevdaliza.
Deep dish
Ali “Dubfire” Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi of Deep Dish.
Insomniac Events/YouTube
If there is an Iranian DJ Hall of Fame, a pedestal should definitely be built for Deep Dish’s. Dubfire and Sharam.
Iranian-born artists have been moving and dominating dancefloors since the early 90s. The progressive house duo made a splash on the scene in 1995 with their remix of De’Lacy’s “Hideaway.” They won the Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording for their twist on Dido’s “Thank You.”
The iconic Dubfire—born Ali Shirazinia in Mashhad, Iran—moved with his family to Washington, DC at the age of seven. Armed with experience in genres from hip-hop and jazz to rock and pop, he has released countless techno singles and remixes over the past 30 years.
Sharam Tayebi immigrated to Washington from Tehran at age 14. His track “PATT,” which samples Eddie Murphy’s “Party All The Time,” peaked at #8 on the UK singles chart. Notable collaborators include Kid Cudi and The X-Factor New Zealand judge Daniel Bedingfield. Always the life of the party, Sharam has a top-notch mix game and was voted BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix of the Year in 2009.
Nostalgic
Nostalgix performed at the 2021 FVDED In The Park festival in Vancouver.
Jarett Lopez/EDM.com
Nostalgic quickly emerged as one of the best artists in Vancouver, BC before the COVID-19 pandemic sidelined his touring plans. After signing with AC Slater’s Night Bass Records, he used the global lockdown period as a testament to expanding his sound. Nostalgix now includes his own vocals on many of the tracks he produces.
Armed with a deep repertoire of high-profile releases, the Iranian-born, Canadian-raised house music artist is tearing up the festival scene. EDC Las Vegas, Beyond Wonderland and Shambhala are just a few of the big fests he’s playing in 2022, including tours with mainstays like Malaa and ARMNHMR.
“It’s actually one of my goals down the line to have my own record label because I want to be able to bring other artists and support upcoming talent,” Nostalgix told EDM.com in summer 2021. “It’s cool to be able to create a community and something bigger than yourself.”
DJ Alligator
DJ Alligator.
“Blow my whistle, baby. Open it, put it down. Let’s begin!”
Equipped with a catchy whistle sequence, pounding beat and all kinds of fun sounds that perfectly encapsulate the late ’90s and early 2000s, the irresistible “The Whistle Song” by DJ Aligator took Europe by storm. The song topped the charts in Denmark, Norway and Scotland, and clocked in at #5 in Ireland and the UK
The impact of DJ Aligator’s eccentric banger is still felt today. Steve Aoki and Timmy Trumpet teamed up with him in 2022 to release a new version of the song, “The Whistle”. And the Spanish-Danish producer of Iranian heritage is still going strong with releases more than two decades since his debut.