Persian pop music

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Persian pop music refers to pop music with songs in the Persian language. Although Persian pop music originated in Iran, it quickly spread throughout Afghanistan, Tajikstan, and eventually America. Today, Persian pop music is popular throughout the world, especially in Tehran, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C..

Arian Band was the first Pop music band in Iran
Arian Band was the first Pop music band in Iran

Contents

[edit] Early history

Persian pop music originated during Qajar dynasty in 19th century. However after the invention of radio in 1930, it grew rapidly in Persia (Iran).[1]

[edit] The Golden Age of Persian Pop Music

In Iran, before the emergence in the early 1950s of Vigen Derderian, the music industry was dominated by Persian classical singers.Then Vigen, known as the "Sultan of pop", ushered in a revolution that coincided with the emergence of a new, western-influenced middle class.[2]

Persian pop music was developed by the 1970s, using indigenous instruments and forms and adding electric guitar and other imported characteristics; the most popular musician of this period was Googoosh. The Golden Age of Persian pop music did not last very long, though, and was banned within Iran after the 1979 revolution.

Many Iranians fled to foreign countries, especially Los Angeles in the United States, and many continued to sing in exile. Top figures of the golden era of Iranian pop music include:

Vigen Derderian, founder of Iranian pop and jazz
Vigen Derderian, founder of Iranian pop and jazz

They mostly left Iran after the revolution, as they were not able to continue their passion for music.

[edit] A New Wave

In the 1980s and 1990's, a number of Persian pop stars (mainly) based in Los Angeles, many of whom were born in exile or had lived the majority of their lives outside of Iran, began to gain fame. This new wave of Persian pop music often combined elements of American music and culture, as well as Latino culture, to form a new blend of music distinct from earlier periods. The influence of Techno music especially has been very strong. However some of these works do not have any melodies and are merely composed of repetition of simple rhythms. Some major artists include:

[edit] Contemporary Persian Pop in Iran and Central Asia

Ahmad Zahir on the cover of his first album
Ahmad Zahir on the cover of his first album

In the 90's, Iranian officials decided to produce and promote a "decent" pop music to compete with the informal mainstream Persian pop music, mostly produced in California (so-called "LA-type" music). Ali Moallem (a poet)[3] and Fereydoun Shahbazian (a renowned musician) headed a council at IRIB that supervised the revival of domestic pop music.[4] Singers such as Shadmehr Aghili, Khashayar Etemadi, Mohammad Isfahani, were among the first singers who got significant support, including promotion by national TV, to produce new pop songs. Domestic pop music received a warm welcome by many people, while it was criticized by the elites as "superficial music" (in the sense of lyrics, music, and the cultural impact). Unhappy with common trends, Shahbazian decided to quit and officially join the critics of this music after a while.[5]

Recently, as a result of easing cultural restrictions within Iran, a number of Persian pop singers have emerged from within the country. The runaway success of Benyamin Bahadori in particular cannot be overstressed as monumental to contemporary Persian pop music. This new brand of native Persian pop music shows strong techno influences. Another brand of Persian pop music is represented by work of figures like Alireza Eftekhari. Eftekhari among a few others put significant effort in forming a new genre of Iranian pop music. Referring to the difficulties in this way, he once stated: "In order to introduce pop music to Iranian music culture, I have made myself a scapegoat."[6]

Some major contemporary Persian pop artists in Iran include:

Arian Band, the first Persian Pop music band, was formed after Iranian revolution and have had huge success since then. Aryan band started a new chapter of Iranian pop music. Their debut album, "Gole Aftabgardoon" (The Sunflower) was released in 2000. The album had huge success in Iran.

Also, Persian pop music has enjoyed a renaissance in Tajikstan, being influenced by both Western techno music and some Indian styles. Some famous artists include:

However, Tajik artists enjoy relatively little of the visibility and popularity afforded Iranian artists, to a large extent because of the country's diminutive role in the Persian-speaking world.

Since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the Afghanistani music scene has begun to re-emerge. The most notable Afghanistani pop singers of late 20th century are:

[edit] Awards

[edit] References

Nahan Makon was made by Alireza Assar, Shahrdad Rohani and London Symphony Orchestra
Nahan Makon was made by Alireza Assar, Shahrdad Rohani and London Symphony Orchestra
  1. ^ Pop music in Iran
  2. ^ Vigen Derderian: Pop idol of a musical revolution in Iran
  3. ^ Ali Moallem on Pop music
  4. ^ An interview with Fereydoun Shahbazian
  5. ^ Shahbazian criticizing pop music
  6. ^ Music Should Keep Up With the Times
  7. ^ Eftekhari: Popular and classical vocalist.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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