Tooji
| Tooji | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Touraj Keshtkar[1] |
| Also known as | Tooji |
| Born | May 26, 1987 Shiraz, Iran |
| Genres | Pop, Dance, House, Electronic |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Model, Television host, social worker |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | f |
Touraj Keshtkar[1] (Persian: تورج کشتکار) (born May 26, 1987), better known under his stage name Tooji, is a Norwegian-Iranian singer, painter, model and television host. Tooji represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan and finished 26th in the final.[2]
Personal life
Tooji holds a bachelor's degree in child welfare. He has worked in asylum reception centers helping children and teenage refugees and victims of human trafficking. This work motivated him to use his songs and profile to speak out for those who suffer in silence. Tooji is a supporter of LGBT and women's rights, as well as a supporter of Green Wave, Iran's democratic reform movement. Tooji wore a Free Iran green bracelet[3] during his performance in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In June 2015, Tooji came out as gay to the Norwegian website Gaysir, stating that he hoped he could make it easier for young gay people by being open about his own sexuality. He was praised for his decision by the Norwegian National Association for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender People.[4]
Career
Tooji was born in Shiraz, Iran, and moved to Norway when he was one year old.[5] At the age of 16 he started modeling. After the model work, he started working on MTV Norway where he presented "Super Saturday" and "Tooji's Top 10".[6] He was also educated as a social worker and has worked in asylum reception centres.[7] Now he works as a child protection consultant in the department of after-care.
He won Melodi Grand Prix 2012 and was given the opportunity to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with his entry "Stay" [8] which qualified from the second semi-final and went on to place 26th (last) in the final, scoring 7 points.
On March 10, 2012, he presented the international jury votes on behalf of Norway at the finals of Melodifestivalen 2012, the Swedish preselection. On May 18, 2013, he presented the Norwegian votes for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 held in Malmö, Sweden.
Since 2012, Tooji presents, with Margrethe Roed, the Melodi Grand Prix Junior in Norway.
New song in 2013: "Rebels" .Tooji himself describes ‘Rebels’ as “dramatic pop-dance, with new organic elements blended in with hard electronica“.[9]
With the release of the song Packin' Guns [10] in 2014 Tooji revealed a new depth both artistically and visually. Electronic elements mixed with urban heavy and organic sound. Tooji uses irony in contrast to dark and heavy beat. With his education and background as a social worker, his songs often express a political message. He moved to Stockholm to advance his sound.
Tooji’s second 2014 single "Cocktail" deals with the gender roles in today’s society.[11] His new album moves in a direction where the negro-spiritual sound meets strong electronic elements, creating a whole new genre and style.
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | ''Swan Song'' | — | Non-album singles | ||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | "Stay" | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| "If It Wasn't For You" | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | "Rebels" | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | "Packin' Guns"[12] | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Cocktail"[13] | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | "Money" [14] | — | |||||||||||||||||
| "Father" | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| "—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||||||||||
References
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External links
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 |
Succeeded by Margaret Berger with "I Feed You My Love" |
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- Articles with hCards
- Articles containing Persian-language text
- 1987 births
- Norwegian male singers
- Norwegian television presenters
- Living people
- Norwegian social workers
- English-language singers of Norway
- Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2012
- Norwegian Eurovision Song Contest entrants
- People from Shiraz
- Naturalised citizens of Norway
- Iranian emigrants to Norway
- Gay musicians
- LGBT people from Iran
- LGBT musicians from Norway
