M.I.L.A.D (May I Live and Die) – The First British Iranian Pop Star
M.I.L.A.D: “As I walked through the door and found my dad dead.....the story of M.I.L.A.D began....”
Born in Tehran 10th June 1985, M.I.L.A.D also known as Milad (meaning birth), family moved to .. Like most young boys his age M.I.L.A.D started early life wanting to be a footballer although secretly behind closed doors he was developing his personal passion as again like most young boys growing up in that era he was hooked on Michael Jackson. He began writing hundreds of poems and eventually family, friends and school teachers discovered that he was a naturally gifted writer. Growing up in the early years M.I.L.A.D in his own words had a “normal” life since his father was a very successful businessman, owning several top sports teams in Sweden and winning continuous medals and titles with the various sport teams he owned. He was also the first ever person to create a Women’s Iranian football team which in the early 90’s was unthinkable. Everything changed however when his mother took him and his sister to England as his father remained in Sweden. This was a very difficult time for M.I.L.A.D not being around his father and seeing his mum having to struggle so hard financially to make ends meet. At the age of 11 he made a choice that whatever he was to do in his life, it would be to make a positive difference in people's lives. He had 3 different paths of interest he could choose between: Music (fuelled by his exposure to Pop Icons such as Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, 2 Pac, Eminem) , Football (fuelled by his Dad’s love for the game and being a fervent Man Utd supporter as his first home in England was Manchester) and believe it or not Politics (most probably inspired by his background).
Although he found love for music at such a young age (11), it was not until the age of 16 where he actually began taking it seriously. Being a young British/Swedish Iranian and exposed to western pop culture, M.I.L.A.D was listening to the radio, singing to N’Sync's chart hit –“Gone” and felt he had found a voice of his own. He was moved by the lyrics, hooked by the melody and could see how much of an impact a great song could have to evoke feelings in people. He knew that music was to be his choice in life however not one to disappoint his mother, M.I.L.A.D took the decision to put his music on hold and do a 3 year BA Honours Degree course in History and Politics at the world famous SOAS University in London. Surprising to many, M.I.L.A.D after a reluctant start took a great interest in these subjects and worked hard to actually enjoy his degree course. Towards the end of his 1st year at university (2004) M.I.L.A.D's life changed forever as he went to visit his Dad at his home in North London, this was to be his last visit to his father’s home. He tells the story of how he came to find him...
“I remember it clearly... I was at my dad’s house unaware that he was home at the time I was just about to close the door before I left to go out but something made me check his bedroom again and there he was lying on the floor with his eyes open and face darkened, almost black, I had these big planks of wood fall on my head from above as I fell screaming on the floor due to the shock of what I had seen, I was numb to the physical pain, I could only feel the unbearable pain in my heart..".
It quickly became clear to him that his father had taken his own life. M.I.L.A.D was completely shattered, losing his best friend and father in one precious moment. Many of his family feared that he would get into heavy drugs or take to alcohol to comfort him. However he dealt with this period the only way he knew he had to, through his music. He ended up writing lyrics to a song called “R.I.P Dad” which epitomizes what kind of artist M.I.L.A.D really is, emotional and unique to the core.
At such a young age M.I.L.A.D has become quite the expert in turning negative situations into positive ones, He explains:
"It's amazing how the worse moment of your life can turn around for the best…I'd like to think he is watching over me and my family. The bottom line is every parent’s aim is to help their children's dreams come true and my dad one way or another has done just that… I am more inspired today than ever before and if I can make a difference in just one persons life then I have LIVED and died.".
Writing songs and making music at home on his computer led to him creating a handful of demo tracks that eventually fell into the hands of music producer, artist manager and media business owner, Terry Mardi. Spending time with Terry Mardi, a self made successful music producer and entrepreneur who understood the values of positive thinking and heartfelt writing, M.I.L.A.D grew his Myspace fan base and since then this young talent has attracted an impressive 1.4 million plays on his myspace page: www.myspace.com/miladmusic
With an established international fanbase his debut pop single Love Flow has already hit it off big in the club scene in Germany. With an imminent UK release and the anticipated music video which is set to blow people away, 2009 looks like a year where everybody will finally know who M.I.L.A.D is and what he is about. Having already performed at some of the top venues in the UK, written a top hit for Universal Music (which sold over 10 million albums internationally) and performed with some of the biggest artists in the Persian and Western music scene he is finally ripe to take the music scene by storm.
Terry Mardi is quoted saying:
“Peers in the music industry were shocked when I decided to work with M.I.L.A.D being Indian myself they couldn’t understand why I would get involved… however I didn’t care. I am extremely proud of his achievements so far, however what makes me most excited is the fact that finally the Iranian youth have a young role model to look to for inspiration and freedom. It reminds me of when the Asian community latched on to Jay Sean and the Hispanic kids embraced Enrique in their early careers. The best thing about M.I.L.A.D is what he writes about, so young but been through so much and to top it off his voice sounds unique I love that about him, he is immediately identifiable. I always say to people; hey imagine if Kurt Cobain was alive and decided to make urban music with songs co-written by 2 Pac or Eminem, well that’s what M.I.L.A.D reminds me of... Ha Ha, I know it’s crazy, but you just have to wait to hear this album, it’s got some of the world’s best musicians on it too, I am giving it my 110% on the production to create something unique that will make you feel good, if you are fed up of the same formulaic music coming from every other current pop artist, then this album is for you”.
To see the Love Flow ‘Behind the Scenes Video’ which includes international star Jay Sean and to find out more about M.I.L.A.D go to: www.mayiliveanddie.com
For more information or booking enquiries email: info@terrymardi.com
Check out MILAD's very first first music video for his debut single 'Love Flow' today. Be the first to see to it via the blog channel below, MILAD's YouTube channel or via iTunes (all linked above).
This breathtaking first release is NOT to be missed!
Your video is great, the music is great and all beautiful people around! Thanks for sharing this with me...also thx for keeping in touch! I wish you big success!
( Thanx 4 the HooK-uP ) IF you eVer NeeD BACKING TRACKS hoLLa @ ME. THEY'M all READY & GOOD To GO. aRRaNGE A TIME To LISTEN @ the STUDIO. LOOK forward to HEARING frOm You... NORACLE :)
