Foad Manshadi

I was born and raised in Iran. My unique experiences in life have formed my perspective on my lyrics and music. Growing up in the minority Baha’i faith in Iran meant that from a very early age, I have been under discrimination and prejudice. When I was two years old, the Islamic government of Iran confiscated our properties for believing in the Baha’i faith. It was devastating to realize my dream of having a successful life would never come true in my oppressive situation. I had to find within myself how to solve hardships at a young age. I overcame my life’s hardships with audacity and boldness, and also was fortunate to have supportive family and friends around me. Music is power. World unity is in my blood and HipHop is the heart that pumps it. I work hard and do my best to keep distractions out of my life. I use my college grants to fund my music, and I’m working toward getting my Master Degree in Electrical Engineering in three years.

Chorus:
We are countless,
Take my hand, we have each other
Don't be afraid, we are all together
Every Nation, tribe and religion
We're Countless

Verse1:

How dark is my town, my tears are falling
In seeing this world, I pity my eyes,
Who have seen blood and stoning,
Who lack a cure in healing their wounds
In the eyes of the owner of Fatwa (supreme leader) I am trash
But I put it on the owner of the sky and the redness of blood
That I am the answer to all ignorance and partialness
The answer to forget our biases and uniting our words and language
If the door is closed to a bright future
If everyone is deprived of a decent way of life
I am united
As to not plant any flowers, other than the flower of love in the garden of the heart
You can feel a beautiful pulse
Or preserve the hearts of the dead with your faith
Turn hell in to heaven and truly feel the world
Or with the cane of unity even part a sea

Verse 2:
In the Iranian religion there is no hatred and hostility
Tell me who has the key to my freedom
It's in my hands, your hands, our hands
My tears, your tears, our tears are a sea,
Which washes the foot prints of this suffering with its every wave to the shore of innocent hearts
The cause of war, blood, fighting, and red gravel
Our voice destroys the cause
Pull the bow with pride like Arash (character in an epic poem by Siavash Kasraee)
So you can create an infinite border for love
United in voice long live this glorious land
We'll reopen the gates of heaven
Be a cure for this aged wound
Be one with unveiling the truth
So you can see the veiled face of love
And wish death to darkness and suffering