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Erfan : Translated
Several months ago, almost by accident I came across a guy named Erfan who sings Iranian Rap. Now at first thought you may say the two simply do not go together and I will be inclined to agree. Except that his music is exceptionally well written and well sung.
There are others as well of course including a few females that tend to stand out more than the rest. The very first time I heard Iranian Rap was from a group called Mahour with a song called Etteham (accusation) which was about two years ago at least. This song also can use a translation as the lyrics are quite strong and moving.
Then I saw a couple of interviews (1 & 2 - both in Farsi, sorry!) with Farinaz and Sougand of the group FS who describe their music and also how the two partners found each other and how they go about creating their collaborative music. Their work is interesting as well although I feel their music and their "look" needs to mature still and I am sure it will.
Then via a casual search on Google I landed on video clips of Iranians, who would do”rap battles” in parks (warnning, 18+) in situations that seemed spontaneous – in possible imitation of scenes seen via satellite in movies such as 8 miles. Some more impressive than others, they not only fascinated me; they also reminded me of the Break Dance, Michael Jackson, footloose, flash dance and Greece Craze in Iran in the 80s. In every house party all the teens and 20-somethings knew the steps . Specially Break dance was a HUGE HUGE hit – for almost a year all parties I went to ended in the central Persian Rug in the middle of the living room to be rolled away half way through the night and a spontaneous circle of dancers and B-boys would take over and their skills were incredible.
To go back to the original topic, it wasn’t long before I landed on the name Erfan, and eventually found my way to his website . His home videos charmed me, his style of singing hooked me and his lyrics moved me like nothing else. I have been meaning to write about him for a while now. Then I found a video of him and his co-singer Khashayar practicing for their latest song and I decided to wait till the single is out and available.
And now the wait is over, the song is out there and could it have been made in a better time? I have lost track of how many times I have listened to it. The words hunt me. The timing is eerie, even though they were written quite a while BEFORE the recent unrest in Iran (as evidenced by their rehearsal video above).
What I liked about him also beside his killer music is his style - that he stays clean away form pretenses of "gansta rap", baseball caps worn backwards, sports jersies and hand gestures and crotch grabbing that in my opinion have NOTHING at all to do with what Iran and its culture is about no matter how long an Iranian singer has lived abroad.
Bellow is a translation of the song. Some sections were not legible or I may have heard them wrong. (if any Farsi speakers can recognize them, please let me know). I understand that the words lose their context somewhat when there is no rhyme or cultural reference but you will get the idea and that is all that mattes.
I hope you enjoy it.
Side note: As far as I know the latest news on him was that he was going back to Iran for a visit (this is about 6 months ago) and he even has a song about returning home called Parvaz (flight). I often wonder these days whether he is in Iran during these particular times and what is going on with him and his music. What I know for sure is that, if he is alive and well, what will come out of his heart will be incredibly moving and inspiring. His weblog does not say much but for those who can read farsi, its there.
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Tasmim (decision) (download it here ) (lyrics in farsi)
Erfan &Khashayar
(Chorus 1)
Again, everyone’s hears is darkened
this is the song of my heart
this is the poison of the ahriman (1st)
that is murdering my city
that offends everyone
if all are there, still its not enough
How ever much they endure seems not enough
how ever much they endure will be all sorrow
*(Repeat Chorus 1)
* * * * * * * * * * *
God, take me with you, I am a mess
The world as thrown us down, talking about us
I am not easily upset, but how much more?
yes, from A to Z, without exaggeration or reservation now i am going to tell you
in it, there is only verses,
lots of courage and balls
lots of love and a bit of goodness
lots of thought and a bit of prayer
lots of work and a bit of results
that is our efforts are fruitless
years and years we have grown used to uselessness
eight years my bothers were in death shrouds
millions and millions of corpses we gave
now they are totally in line
wallowing in addiction, in action
everyone is you and us and me
everyone is wallowing in moon and moonlight
the trip from home to burial site
buried alive, everyone is silenced and choked
but I sing about hope because my world is in my hands
I know my path, I will stick to it like a flea
the last curses I utter is still my word
the last curses I sing, are the instrument of my death
* * * * * * * * * * *
(Chorus 2)
Make a decision, so we don’t surrender
stand up on your feet, don’t discriminate
this is life, even if you keep saying
its no use
its as if they tell us, if you die there will be no tears
you can recognize the difference between a lie and the truth
take a good look at your life because
you are not difference from a living corpse
* * * * * * * * * * *
So my life is all filled with sorrow, yes
the only thing missing when there is sorrow is a musical instrument
you say our Iran is out fault, everyday you say this
but you beat and you kill, hard core, yes
so then its natural, for him to be insane
you should know that its for you and me that he has lost his life
one should have thick skin, should be ruthless
not give up home, not many days are left till judgment day
I am in everybody’s’ eyes, like the headlines of a newspaper
if I say swear words, they say Khashi (2nd) has problems
but he is not like you guys, who have serious issues
he goes, he speaks up, he gets there how ever way he can
the effort to make you understand seems wasted
its like peeling away the eyes of a beggar from a coin
my brother, I am Iranian, and I will die in its soil
may the whole world be lucky to even dream of such passion
* * * * * * * * * * *
(Chorus 2)
Make a decision, so we don’t surrender
stand up on your feet, don’t discriminate
this is life, even if you keep saying
its no use
its as if they tell us, if you die there will be no tears
you can recognize the difference between a lie and the truth
take a good look at your life because
you are not difference from a living corpse
********************
There was a day when we could carry the world on our backs
now it’s our downtime
if you remove words of war and atoms (3rd), our core is pure
from all their lies, which should I believe?
who stands with me?
yes, your sun will set one day
they say we are barbarians, a cursed and terrorist nation
we have a contract with grim ripper
till you are around we wont surrender
now a 500 year old people, rules us
they tramples the world, leaves behind soldiers
hates our freedom, our history and our faith
but our sacrifice wont let it happen
Iran has given us such courage
Our Iran, is in ruins till our lions are in this condition
Our Iran, is in ruins till our elders remain asleep
Yes, say it that you wont be sleeping
Yes, say you wont allow it
Say it : "that you will shine with this many thousand year old light"
say it : "that you will endure all this pressure and all this tyranny"
Say that : "you will never leave its side even from far away"
* * * * * * * * * * *
(Chorus 2)
Make a decision, so we don’t surrender
stand up on your feet, don’t discriminate
this is life, even if you keep saying
its no use
its as if they tell us, if you die there will be no tears
you can recognize the difference between a lie and the truth
take a good look at your life because
you are not difference from a living corpse
* * * * * * * * * * *
(Chorus 1)
Again, everyone’s hears is darkened
this is the song of my heart
this is the poison of the ahriman
that is murdering my city
that offends everyone
if all are there, still its not enough
How ever much they endure seems not enough
how ever much they endure will be all sorrow
*(Repeat Chorus 1)
* * * * * * * * * * * NOTES:
1. Symbol of darkness and evil, Zoroastrian lore, ancient Persian religion
2. Khashayar, one of the singers
3. Reference to Ahmadi Nejad’s efforts to enrich Uranium and reach Atomic Energy capabilities