LOS ANGELES — It’s a melody that has pulled on heart strings all over the world, a song that has become an anthem for Iran’s protests themed “Women, Life, Freedom.”

And now, it is a song that has received a Grammy for the new best song for social change award.

What You Need To Know

  • Iranian artist Shervin Hajipour won the new Grammy award for Best Song for Social Change

  • Entitled “Baraye,” the song became the anthem to the global Iranian protests for regime change, themed by the words “Women, Life, Freedom” 

  • Hajipour was arrested when he first released the song, he is currently out on bail and was able to watch the Grammys virtually

  • Presented by First Lady Jill Biden, the new Grammy award has inspired the Iranian community throughout Los Angeles and globally

Iranian artist Shervin Hajipour risked his life in Iran when he released his song “Baraye,” a moving piece of music lyrically composed through tweets by Iranians all explaining why they are protesting.  

Hajipour was initially arrested for the song, but he is currently on bail, and was able to watch the Grammy Awards from his computer in Iran, where he learned he won in the new category.

The victory for Hajipour isn’t just impactful for the artist himself, but it is also inspiring Iranian Americans like Mohamad, a shop owner in Westwood’s Persian Square, who anxiously watched the award ceremony.

“I saw it on the TV. I was really excited, I was so happy,” he said.

Mohamad’s immediate family is all still living in Iran. He speaks with them as much as he can, but every day, he’s on edge and worried that protests for regime change could have a fatal effect on his family.

“It’s not a democracy. They arrest people whenever they want. I am so worried for them,“ he said.

Protesters in Iran continue to be imprisoned and executed. That’s why a recent video shoot, entitled The Voices Project, brought together creatives like comedian and activist Tehran, to symbolize those voices being censored.

“As a creative, all of us need to come together, and we create, when they cannot,” Tehran said.

Former U.S. diplomat and democracy activist Goli Ameri said the Grammy recognition will revitalize hope for protesters.

“People all over the world are watching the fact that this young man, from a small town in Northern Iran, with actually a degree in Economics, but who loves music, was able to create this incredible piece of music, with tweets by the Iranian people to get the message across.”

It’s a message that Mohamad said he hopes will help bring about real change.

“I hope freedom for everybody, especially ladies, because they don’t have it,” Mohamad said.