Shahrum Kashani

Music

Kashani's interest in singing and music manifested at an early age. He started his career in 1990; however, it was not until 1991 that he released his professional debut album titled K-One, promoted by Alireza Amirghassemi, and also with support of Persian super star Leila Forouhar. Due to his youth, synergy, and style, he gained popularity in a short amount of time.^{[citation needed]}

International popularity came with his second album Atash with hits like Begou Tou Begou and Khater Khah. In 2000, he stopped working with Caltex Records and instead signed on with Taraneh Records. This collaboration yielded a couple of instant bestsellers. The hit songs Dokhtar Bandari, Yadam Nemireh and Dige Basteh became club favorites.^[11] In a 2005 interview with Tapesh, Kashani talked about his childhood, about his parents' divorce and his mom's short marriage to Googoosh's first husband. Kashani also, in this interview, blamed Taraneh Records for not promoting his new album Khoshalam enough and delaying its release. His claim was dismissed by the owner of Taraneh, Vartan Avenassian, who cited immaturity of the singer as cause of their tense relationship.^[12]

In August 2006, Kashani's new music video from his latest album Game Over (directed by élan productions), was aired on all Persian satellite channels. Despite his complications with the record company, this album was still released by Taraneh Records.^[13] His latest music, Sahneh Sazi, was performed at Valley Oaks Memorial Park at his funeral, and artists such as Andranik Madadian and Shahbal Shabpareh attended his funeral and spoke about Kashani.^[14][6] Ali Hosseinzadeh, composer and songwriter of Shahrum Kashani's latest song, explained about this song in an interview with KIRN Los Angeles Radio. "The idea of making this song was formed many years ago, considering the events that took place in Shahrum's personal life, I wrote this song. Shahrum called this song an elevator because I refer to life somewhere in the poem, which is like an elevator.^[15][16] Life is like an elevator, it raises some up, but he who is down is sad. Shahrum went to his studio in Los Angeles twice to record this song and recorded it several times. Because he was telling me I think my feelings are not real".^[15]

Health

Kashani had a long battle with alcoholism and was sober for several months during his stay in Istanbul, but relapsed months prior to his death. Legendary Iranian singer, Dariush Eghbali tried to help him with his alcoholism.^[17][18] He died in hospital in Istanbul from COVID-19, while being treated for liver problems brought on by alcoholism.

Birth and family

Kashani was born in Rome, Italy, and lived and spoke Italian until the age of 7.^[19]But his grandfather, out of patriotism, obtained his birth certificate in Tehran. He left Iran as a teenager.^[20] He lived for several years in Turkey, where he said he was fluent in Istanbul Turkish.^[21] At the age of 18, he began his singing career in the United States; he also spent three years in Dubai and then settled in Los Angeles.^[22]

Soundtracks

Single Songs

Taraneh Records

• Kheyli Vaghteh