Arash
Biography
Arash Labaf is an Iranian-Swedish singer, entertainer, and producer born on April 23, 1977, in Tehran, Iran. At the age of ten, he and his family relocated to Sweden, where he currently resides. Growing up, he developed a passion for music and even formed an informal band with friends. He sings in his native language, Persian, to maintain a strong connection with his Iranian roots.
Music Career
Arash released his debut album, "Arash," in June 2005 through Warner Music Sweden. The album featured the hit singles "Boro Boro" ("Go Away") and "Temptation," which gained significant popularity across Europe. His music videos received extensive airplay on numerous MTV channels globally. The album achieved gold certification in Germany, Russia, Slovenia, and Greece, and the single "Boro Boro" went gold in Sweden. His success extended to Eastern Europe and Asia, and he was named the "Artist of the Month" on MTV India.
International Success and Collaborations
Throughout his career, Arash has collaborated with various artists. His second album, "Donya" (2008), featured a collaboration with Jamaican-American reggae singer Shaggy. In 2014, he released his third album, "Superman," which included collaborations with Sean Paul, T-Pain, and Snoop Dogg. The track "She Makes Me Go" featuring Sean Paul achieved Gold status in Germany and Switzerland.
Eurovision Song Contest
In 2009, Arash represented Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest alongside singer Aysel Teymurzadeh. They performed the song "Always," which was written and composed by Arash. The duo finished in third place in the competition, a significant achievement for Azerbaijan. Arash stated that he chose to represent Azerbaijan because of his own Azerbaijani roots.
Other Ventures
Besides his music career, Arash has made a foray into film, appearing in the 2012 movie "Rhino Season" alongside Monica Bellucci. He has also served as a judge on "Persia's Got Talent," the Persian franchise of the popular talent show.