Shervin Hajipour: Biography, Instagram, Songs, Grammy & News

Shervin Hajipour is the Iranian singer-songwriter whose protest song “Baraye” became the anthem of the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom uprising, won a Grammy Award for Best Song for Social Change, and made him simultaneously a global icon and a target of the Iranian government. This guide covers his full biography, the story of “Baraye,” his arrest and pardon, his music, and everything that’s happened through July 2025.

Shervin Hajipour: Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Shervin Hajipour was born on March 30, 1997, in Babolsar, a coastal city in the Mazandaran province of northern Iran. He began learning violin at age 8 and showed an early passion for composition, writing music for theater productions while still in high school. After graduating, he enrolled at the University of Mazandaran to study economics—while simultaneously building a parallel career in music by posting song covers and originals on social media.

His early online presence drew a modest but devoted following who were drawn to his emotional vocal delivery and the intimacy of his songwriting. None of that local recognition could have predicted what was coming in September 2022.

Rise to National Attention: The “New Era” TV Show (2019)

Shervin’s first major public exposure came in 2019, when he appeared on the Iranian talent competition New Era (Asr-e Jadid). His performance of “Maybe Paradise” (Shayad Behesht) earned him national recognition and a considerably larger following. The show introduced his voice to an audience far beyond social media—but it was still only the beginning of a story that would unfold three years later.

“Baraye”: The Song That Changed Everything

On September 28, 2022, ten days after 22-year-old Mahsa (Jina) Amini died in the custody of Iran’s morality police, Shervin Hajipour posted a song on Instagram. He had written it the night before, setting to music the real tweets of Iranian citizens—fragments of protest, grief, and longing gathered from social media posts that began with the word “baraye” (meaning “for” in Persian).

The result was not a polished protest anthem. It was a mosaic of everyday frustrations and profound losses: “For dancing in the streets… For the fear we feel when kissing… For my sister, your sister, our sisters… For the tired minds of the weary…”

Within 48 hours, the song had been viewed over 40 million times. Instagram users were singing it at protests in Tehran, sharing it in diaspora communities across Europe and North America, and translating it into dozens of languages. “Baraye” became the defining sound of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

Arrest, Legal Battle, and Pardon: Full Timeline

When Shervin was arrested one day after posting “Baraye,” Iranian authorities charged him with “propaganda against the regime” and “inciting violence.” Under pressure, he deleted the song and posted a video statement that many interpreted as a coerced apology. But it was too late — “Baraye” had already spread globally and could not be unheard.

His 2024 sentencing to nearly four years in prison drew international condemnation. The pardon announced in July 2024 spared him from imprisonment, though his situation inside Iran remains complex and his artistic freedom constrained.

Grammy Award and Global Recognition

On February 5, 2023, Shervin Hajipour won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Song for Social Change — a new category created to recognize music with significant humanitarian impact. The award was presented by U.S. First Lady Jill Biden. Shervin delivered his acceptance speech virtually from Iran, visibly emotional, dedicating the award to the women of Iran and to Mahsa Amini.

Discography: Songs and Music

Instagram and Social Media Presence

Shervin’s primary platform is Instagram, where his account @shervinine has over 1 million followers as of 2025. He uses social media to share music, personal reflections, and advocacy content. His platforms:

Personal Life: Wife, Family, and Relationships

Shervin keeps his personal life largely private. As of July 2025, there is no verified public information about a wife or romantic partner. He has spoken about his family in interviews — he is close to his parents and siblings, who have been a source of support throughout the legal challenges he has faced. His music draws heavily on personal emotion and lived experience, but he maintains a clear boundary between his artistic public presence and his private life.

Where is Shervin Hajipour Now? (July 2025 Update)

As of July 2025, Shervin Hajipour is living in Iran. Following his pardon in July 2024, he is no longer facing imprisonment. He continues to make music and remains active on social media, though his artistic environment inside Iran remains restricted. His latest release, “Ashghal,” demonstrates that his voice has not been silenced, and he continues to be followed and supported by millions of Iranians and members of the global Iranian diaspora.

For the latest developments, see Wikipedia: Shervin Hajipour and CNN’s coverage of his pardon.

FAQ: Shervin Hajipour

What has happened to Shervin Hajipour?

Shervin Hajipour posted his protest song “Baraye” on September 28, 2022, one day before being arrested by Iranian authorities. Under pressure, he deleted the song and posted what many believed was a coerced apology. After his release on bail, he continued making music despite a travel ban and ongoing legal proceedings. In February 2023, he won the Grammy for Best Song for Social Change while still living under legal threat. In March 2024, he was sentenced to nearly four years in prison, but announced in July 2024 that he had received a pardon. As of July 2025, he is free and living in Iran, continuing to make music.

What is “Baraye” about and why did it go viral?

“Baraye” (meaning “For” in Persian) went viral because it was assembled from the real words of ordinary Iranians. Shervin gathered tweets from people across Iran that began with the word “baraye” — expressing grief, anger, longing, and hope in the aftermath of Mahsa Amini’s death. By setting these crowdsourced voices to music, he created something that felt collectively authored rather than individually composed. Lines like “For dancing in the streets,” “For the fear we feel when kissing,” and “For my sister, your sister, our sisters” resonated immediately and universally. The song was viewed over 40 million times in 48 hours before Shervin was forced to delete it — by which point it had already spread beyond any government’s ability to contain it.

Is Shervin Hajipour free?

Yes. As of July 2025, Shervin Hajipour is free. After being sentenced to 3 years and 8 months in prison in March 2024, he announced on Instagram in July 2024 that he had received a pardon and would not be serving that sentence. He remains in Iran and continues to be active as a musician and advocate, though his environment is still subject to government restrictions on artistic expression.

Did Shervin Hajipour win a Grammy?

Yes. On February 5, 2023, Shervin Hajipour won the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Song for Social Change for “Baraye.” It was the first time this category had ever been awarded. The award was presented by U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, and Shervin delivered his acceptance speech virtually from Iran. He dedicated the award to the women of Iran and to Mahsa Amini. In the same year, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

How old is Shervin Hajipour?

Shervin Hajipour was born on March 30, 1997, in Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran. As of July 2025, he is 28 years old. He became globally famous at age 25, when “Baraye” went viral just days before he was arrested.

Does Shervin Hajipour have an Instagram account?

Yes. His official Instagram account is @shervinine, which has over 1 million followers as of 2025. He uses the account to share new music, personal updates, and content related to human rights and freedom in Iran. Instagram was also the platform where he first posted “Baraye” in September 2022 and where he announced his pardon in July 2024.

Who is Shervin Hajipour’s wife?

As of July 2025, there is no verified public information about Shervin Hajipour having a wife or being in a publicly known relationship. He has consistently kept his personal and romantic life private, focusing his public presence on his music and advocacy work. Rumors have circulated on social media, but none have been confirmed by Shervin himself.

What are Shervin Hajipour’s other songs besides Baraye?

Before “Baraye,” Shervin was known in Iran primarily for “Maybe Paradise” (Shayad Behesht), which he performed on the Iranian talent show New Era in 2019. After his pardon in 2024, he released “Ashghal,” which quickly gained viral traction on SoundCloud and Instagram. He has released additional songs throughout his career, available on his SoundCloud and Spotify profiles.

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