Mostafa Raghib Resembles Mr. Moein

Mostafa Raghib, unveiling his latest album “Faryad,” spoke about the difficult licensing process and strict permit restrictions, the tough living conditions of some musicians and singers, certain limitations on music, and the interest of Iranian society, with its diverse beliefs, in “Moein.”

According to Ambassador Arjan, the latest album of "Ragheb" named "Frayad" was unveiled on Sunday, October 19th at Vahdat Hall with the presence of Mustafa Ragheb, Babak Zarin, Mohammad Reza Mansouri, Hassan Ardestani, Afshin Moghadam and Pedram Keshtkar.

At the beginning of the unveiling ceremony of the "Frayad" album, Mustafa Ragheb said while congratulating the girl's day and referring to the composition of the artists present in this album: This album is a combination of the golden generation of Iranian pop music in the past few decades and the new generation. The so-called talents that we use this word to describe these days.

Ragheb also honored the memory of artists who are no more, including Hamid Hirad, and added: In memory of all the dear ones who were by our side, were present in our lives and sang my songs in concerts, but today they are no more; Let's be silent for a few minutes in memory of all the artists and veterans whose empty place is felt very much.

Emphasizing the importance of empathy and accepting differences, he said: I always say that Iran is beautiful; Iran includes a large number of honorable, kind and compassionate people who have come together with different thoughts, ideas and opinions to create a beautiful life. This is the life of us humans, to be able to live together with kindness, tenderness and feeling and to accept each other's differences.

Ragheb also pointed to the difficulty of choosing songs for this album and said: We produced 15 songs in this album, we are actually releasing two albums. It was very difficult for me to choose each piece. Even Babak Zarin Aziz and Afshin Moghadam Nazanin had sent me other very beautiful works that I really didn't want to choose from.

Art, literature and music do not need so many licenses

Referring to the difficulties of obtaining a license for musical works, this singer added: We had submitted some of these works for obtaining a license, and the process of obtaining a license in our country has its own problems. In my opinion, art, literature and music do not need so many licenses. The artist lives with his heart and soul and has lived with the work he created for days. How can you tell him to remove a certain word or stanza? I really can't accept this.

Ragheb continued: Sometimes words are objected to which, in my opinion, are not out of our cultural framework. I don't know why there are such sensitivities. This issue has always been a question for me.

Stating that one of his goals in producing this album was to bring together artists from different generations of pop music, he said: The only thing that made me happy in this album was the presence of a combination of the golden generation of pop music alongside the new generation.

Emphasizing the need to pay attention to the role of composers in the longevity of musical works, this singer stated: When a piece becomes permanent, we should not only look at the singer's voice. Behind every work, there are creators who lived with it. If a piece like "My Love" is heard today and people relate to it, we should also see the original owners of that work and not just judge the singer.

Referring to the way of composing in the past generations, he added: I always remember Master Jahanbakhsh Pazuki well. When he composed a piece for singers, he designed it according to the tonality and range of the singer's voice. It was not like they prepared several pieces and offered the readers to choose one. Unfortunately, such an approach is sometimes seen today, while we should respect the creators of the works, literate and rooted artists.

Ragheb also mentioned his cooperation with Babak Zarin and said: When I talk about Afshin Moghadam, I am talking about an artist who has a very strong record. Babak Zarin is one of the composers whose works I have loved since I was a teenager. When I heard his works, I identified with them. I even listened to the album "Dawn" with great emotion.

In a part of his speech, he commented on Nasrallah Moin's position among Iranian music audiences: I think Moin has a special place among people, and different sections of society connect with his works. From those with different beliefs to people with religious beliefs. This connection is not only limited to his works, and his personality and positive energy received from him also have an effect on it.

The musicians have sold their instruments

Referring to the difficult living conditions of some musicians, he said: In the last few months, the music community has been seriously damaged. I have seen dear friends and musicians who have sold instruments that they have played with for 20 years. I know a musician who became a snap driver after these events, and I know an artist who has trouble making ends meet.

Stating that economic problems are not only for artists, this singer added: People usually see the appearance of artists' lives, but the reality is something else. In this situation, one of my friends called me and asked me for some money. When I told him the amount I could give him, he was surprised and asked where do you get this money from? Each of us who live in this country is involved in economic problems in some way, but the oppression of music artists is really worth considering.

Why are the elderly staying at home?

Ragheb continued by criticizing the working conditions of veteran artists: Why should many of our veterans stay at home? I have always tried to contact these artists out of interest and not to be seen or to shout slogans and ask them why they are no longer active. Some of them say that the conditions of the music market have changed and they do not relate much with the works that are produced today. I tell them that you must be present so that literate and experienced artists can be seen.

He also pointed to livelihood problems and the lack of sufficient support for artists and said: Why should an artist be deprived of insurance and job security? Why should he worry about his rent and commuting expenses? Maybe today is not the place to raise these issues and I would like this day to be a beautiful and memorable day for me, but the facts must be accepted.

In another part of his speech, this singer mentioned the importance of releasing an album in Iranian music and said: "Unfortunately, we have forgotten the culture of the album for years." I don't know whose fault it is, but I like the album a lot myself, and this is my second album. My first album launch ceremony was also held in this place.

Referring to the economic conditions of the audience and the costs of producing musical works, he added: We must consider whether people can afford to buy albums with today's economic conditions. Artists also think about this. I hope that the album we have produced will be available to people physically.

Emphasizing the high costs of album production, Ragheb said: We artists and musicians do our best as much as we can to present a work to the people. Producing an album costs a lot, and the efforts of experienced masters and artists cannot be ignored. When cooperating, we should pay attention to the history and artistic performance of those who are involved in the production of the work and value their experience and knowledge.

He stated that the album launch was supposed to be held a year ago, and said: We were supposed to hold the launch a year ago. Is it possible to not have stress in this country? I was constantly worried that the ceremony would be canceled.

So where are those supports you were talking about?

The singer went on to criticize the performance of some government institutions in supporting artists and said: I have many criticisms of government institutions. When they need artists, they expect them to support, but when artists need support, unfortunately, nothing happens. There is no difference between theater, cinema, music and acting artists.

Emphasizing that artists should support the country out of love for Iran, he added: If anyone supports the country, it should be for the sake of this sacred land, not for anything else. Artists are considerate people, and if they don't speak, it's because they don't want to inflame the atmosphere of society, but sometimes one gets upset with the existing conditions.

Referring to the calls of some collections to invite artists in various programs, Ragheb stated: They have called many times and said that we have a program and invite Ragheb. I will say frankly that we have been contacted by various collections and asked for cooperation, but when it comes to supporting the artist himself, there is not even a single billboard in the city. When Ragheb's album is going to be unveiled, where is the support you were talking about?

I am banned from working in Yazd for reading some of Mr. Moin's pieces

The singer thanked the officials of Yazd city and said: I am grateful to the officials of my city in Yazd province that I was able to have a number of billboards in this city. Also, this possibility was provided in the beautiful city of Isfahan, the city of Moin Aziz. I am banned from working there because of reading some of Mr. Moin's pieces. Do not take interest and love from people.

Emphasizing the importance of human character in relationships between artists, he added: I always believe that the pure nature of man does not change. Art and status may change one day, but what remains in our minds is the character and good memory they leave behind.

Referring to the artists and audiences he has lost in the past years, the singer said: "In the concert halls, there were young people who sang my works with me and loved their homeland, but today they are no longer among us." I have also lost a friend with whom we held concerts together for many years. We have lost many artists in the fields of theater, music and cinema; People who left many memories in our lives.

I secretly listened to music for years to keep my beliefs

In another part of his speech, Ragheb mentioned his family's opposition to his entering the music field and said: I had a voice from the age of 9, which was God's gift to me, but I grew up in a religious family and my father was against my singing. For this reason, I tried hard for years to be able to walk on this path.

Stating that he had restrictions on listening to his favorite music when he was a teenager, he added: I asked my father for a computer and told him that I want to complete the ranks of Arab music and work in this field. My father also got me a computer, but besides the work I told him, I also listened to my favorite music. I even kept the albums of certain singers in separate folders and secretly. Sometimes I memorized the pieces by listening once; Because I was afraid of my parents' reaction.

Pointing out that his family was worried about the effect of singing on his behavior and morals, Ragheb said: At that time, my parents thought that if I entered the music field, I might change morally. This view still exists in some families and older generations sometimes see music with such concerns.

While calling himself a "musical veteran among the religious community", this singer pointed out some oppositions in the path of his musical activity and said: I worked very hard in this field. Even the officials of an organization in Yazd asked me for the laments I used to sing and said either sing laments or be a singer. I also said, "I will stop chanting when Imam Hussain (AS) comes to me in my dream and tells me not to do this." "You can't assign me homework."

Expressing his attitude that religious beliefs are not necessarily limited to a specific way of listening to music, he stated: Some things are rooted in our heart beliefs and cannot be said to have been formed simply because of today's conditions. I believe that people with different beliefs, cultures and thoughts are created to live together. The goodness of a person cannot be measured by his opinion or thinking; In the end, everyone should refer to his own essence and privacy.

Referring to the concern of some readers about the reaction of the audience in the virtual space, Ragheb said: They used to ask me, "Aren't you afraid of losing followers?" I believe that if I am myself, people will accept me more easily than if I try to play a role to attract followers. Maybe I had this concern in the first years of working with the singing group, but I became more mature as time went by. What I have learned in life is to be myself.

Stating that some of his audience may be ideologically and intellectually different from him, he added: By the way, these differences are beautiful to me. We should not make life difficult; We may hear Kuwaitipur's laments in one situation and choose happy music in times of joy. These are not necessarily contradictory.

The singer continued by referring to the presence of the name of God in the works of some singers and that he heard in one of the podcasts that it was said that the name of God was seen a lot in the works of a singer before the revolution, and added: I thought this feature was more in certain works, but this view shows that we should not prejudge people and their beliefs. Many young people are really interested in God and have beliefs that may not be visible to others.