There is a captivating artist whose journey from Tehran to international stardom is as inspiring as her music. Discover SHAB, also known as Shabnam, who was the youngest of thirteen children in a family that the revolutionary fundamentalist regime in Iran targeted. At just fourteen, she arrived alone in the United States, carrying all her worldly possessions in a single suitcase and speaking no English. Her resilience and talent have since propelled her into the global music scene.
Your introduction to SHAB might begin with her vibrant music career, which started in Farsi under her birth name. She gained wider recognition with the support of Los Angeles-based producer Damon Sharpe, who helped her break into the English-speaking market. As the world faced a global pandemic, SHAB emerged as a breakout artist, releasing her debut album, INFINITE LOVE. This album received rave reviews for its infectious global pop sound. Additionally, her hit collaboration with hip-hop legend Fat Joe, VOODOO, was praised as “an epic collaboration … exhibiting a convergence of artistry and aesthetics that is nothing short of epic.” You might find yourself drawn to her music’s ability to blend diverse influences and deliver powerful messages.
If you have followed SHAB’s career beyond her recordings, you would appreciate how she has mesmerized audiences across Europe and Britain since 2022. Her electrifying live performances have earned her acclaim, including being named “The Genre Buster Of The Year” by the Irish music and politics magazine HotPress after her show at a Dublin arena. You could witness her commanding stage presence in some of the largest arenas in Ireland, Scotland, and England, notably with two standing-room-only nights at the iconic O2 Arena in London.
For those interested in her deeper artistic visions, SHAB’s sophomore album, ONE SUITCASE, released in early 2025, offers a rich collection of twenty-one feel-good tracks co-written by her. Drawing on her experiences as a refugee and the struggles to break free from fundamentalist ideas about femininity, romance, and a woman’s role in society, this album showcases her passion and personal growth. You may find these themes both powerful and relatable.
Moreover, SHAB is a vibrant voice within the Persian expatriate community and has boldly spoken out against the regime in Tehran, referring to it as a “gangster regime.” Her courage and perspective have brought her into the spotlight of major media outlets worldwide. You can find her featured in prominent magazines like FHM and Marie Claire, as well as respected news organizations including the BBC, Rolling Stone, The Daily Mirror, The Independent, The Daily Express, FOX, ABC, The Dallas Morning News, and Yahoo News.
Today, SHAB lives in Dallas with her partner and two children, fluently speaking Farsi, English, and German. Beyond her music career, you might admire her dedication to philanthropy. She owns her own record label, Shabnam Music, and supports charities such as Dallas-based Hope Supply Co., which helps homeless children. Recently, she was named a Global Ambassador for London-based Choose Love, an organization providing aid to refugees internationally. Through her art and activism, SHAB invites you to join her on a journey of hope, resilience, and change.
What does your music say about you?
My music attests to my personal positivity, my belief in the power of love and my optimistic nature.
It also speaks to the fact that I love to get off my ass and dance.
What’s the best show you’ve ever played?
I don’t know whether it was the best show that I’ve ever played, but my opening night at The O2 in London was something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
During sound check for my first show there, my husband pointedly remarked at the last entertainer standing on that stage had been Madonna during her five night stand during the prior week!
The O2 was a venue that was on my short list of dream performance arenas and it was incredible to be able to cross that off my list.
What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened at one of your shows?
During our performance rehearsals for my first arena tour during 2023, my music director Mike Manning would humorously give a shout out to the crowd and pretending that we were playing the first stop on that tour, Dublin.
During our fourth or fifth show on the tour – but with all of the venues on the tour starting to blend together — we were playing the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, which was the destination that Mike was most vocally eager to visit on our tour schedule However, when Mike went to give a Shout Out to the Liverpool crowd, he defaulted to his performance rehearsal routine by calling out “Good evening, Dublin!” It was something right out of This Is Spinal Tap!
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Trust in Our Maker — and Keep Your Side Of The Street Clean.
It’s amazing how good things happen when you are rooted in God and doing the right thing.
What is the most valuable guidance you have received?
It would be Louis Pasteur’s observation that Chance favors the prepared mind.
In other words, don’t allow yourself to be outworked or underprepared.
If you could have any superhero power, what would it be and why?
I already have a superpower! It’s making a positive impact in the world with my music, my kindness and voice. I work incessantly upon meeting people for the first time to make them feel comfortable, valued and heard.
What would you do if you were the only survivor of a plane crash?
After ending a period of extended mourning, I’d be looking for a new partner – in addition to being my co-manager and Soulmate, most of the time my husband is my pilot!
But then again, I would use my superpower of Prayer to not let the plane crash in the first place. After all, it seems to be working so far!
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
Surviving The Iranian Fundamentalist Gangsters: A Guide To A Mindblowingly Great Sex Life.
What actress would play you in a movie about your life?
It would have to be Selena Gomez. People tell me frequently that we appear as if we could be sisters!
What historical figure would you love to see in 21st century life?
Cyrus the Great.
Renown for his tolerance and respect towards the cultures, religions and customs of the kaleidoscope of peoples of the Persian Empire, Cyrus was also revered as the man who freed the Israelites from their captivity in ancient Babylon. His legacy as a benevolent and enlightened leader influenced subsequent political thought-leaders across cultures such as Alexander the Great, Thomas Jefferson and David Ben-Gurion.
We could use the wisdom of Cyrus in our current troubling times.
SHAB is excited to release the music video for Lipstick, the vibrant, 80s-inspired single from her critically acclaimed 2025 album, One Suitcase. The video, shot in Los Angeles, is a visual celebration of bold colors and nostalgic vibes, with red as the dominant hue, perfectly complementing the flirty, sexy, and teasing energy of the song. The playful concept features SHAB in a striking red outfit and red lips, embracing the fantasy of traveling back to the 80s for a day, delivering a visual that captures the essence of unapologetic femininity and empowerment.
Lipstick, one of the most dynamic tracks from One Suitcase, is now available on all digital platforms. SHAB’s empowering anthem reflects her journey as a refugee turned global pop star. Her rise to fame, fueled by her ability to blend pop, dance, and world music influences, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
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