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MusicSTR ReadInterview

by Barbara Yakimchuk

HAMEX: From a Small Town In Iran To Millions Of Listeners Around the World

31 May 2025

Meet Hamed Dehghani — or, as most people know him, HAMEX — an Iranian artist whose sound blends deep emotion with striking visuals. Already recognised as one of the country’s top pop composers, his music speaks from the heart.
But behind the awards and polished tracks is a story rooted in a small town in Iran — a place with no music schools, no fancy studios, just a dream. It is not about fame. It is about putting in the work, staying true to your path, and creating something that lasts. The details — below.
— Hello, Hamed! Before we dive into the main part of the interview, could you quickly introduce yourself for those who might not know you yet?
— Sure! I am Hamed Dehghani — most people know me as HAMEX, my stage name. I am an Iranian singer, music producer, and sometimes an entrepreneur (because let’s be honest, music does not go far without the marketing side). And one more thing that really matters — I am a very Iranian guy!
— How long have you been in the music industry?
— I think it has been around 14 years now — I am 29, so I started when I was about 16. I have been into music for a long time, working with some pretty well-known artists in Iran. I also played guitar for a few big names. But if we are talking about my journey as an independent artist — that is more recent, maybe a year and a half, two years.
— You play piano so well! I was sure you had studied music as a kid.
— Actually, no — I started learning piano around 2016. But I would not call myself a pianist — I am a guitarist, first and foremost. That is how it all started for me. I have performed at concerts in Iran and even received an award from a well-known guitarist there. So yes, guitar is what I am really serious about. Piano is more of a tool for me in the studio — I use it a lot while producing, but not so much for live shows.
— I read somewhere that you taught yourself how to play guitar. Is that true?
— Not exactly. I don't think you can fully learn guitar on your own — maybe the basics, sure. But if you want to play at a professional level, that is a whole different story. I do not believe in being completely self-taught. You can practise every day, but learning from real masters is the fastest way to grow. Over the years, I have had eight different guitar mentors. A great teacher can give you 10 years’ worth of experience in just one.
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— So how did it all begin?
— One day, my brother bought a guitar. I saw him playing and thought, “Wow, that actually looks pretty cool.” You know how, when someone plays guitar, people pay attention? That caught my eye. It just felt good — and that is when it became my thing. So yeah, it all started in the family. Though my parents were not exactly thrilled about it. In Iran, there is not much room to grow in the arts. It is not the easiest path.
— I read that you have collaborated with some of the biggest names in Iranian music. Is that true?
— Yes, I have worked with pretty much all the major pop stars in Iran. One example is Erfan Tahmasbi — he is one of the biggest names in Iran right now. Of course, part of it is down to his talent. But the other part — that’s the brand.
In a lot of cases, we started from scratch together. I supported them not just with music production, but also with branding. At some point, I realised I had the potential to do something on my own. I had already produced quite a few hit tracks, so I thought — why not take it global?
— I noticed your Instagram changed a lot around late 2022 or early 2023. Was that when you decided to go solo as an artist?
— Yeah, exactly. That is when everything started shifting. These days, social media plays such a big role — content matters just as much as the music. I began focusing on visuals that matched the emotion in the sound. Sometimes I would even put more energy into the video than the track itself!
— And how did you come up with your personal style? Was it inspired by something specific?
— Honestly, people learn by copying. I look around all the time — observing what is happening in different markets and styles. I could not even tell you exactly where the look came from — but I am always learning and adapting. I follow trends across different regions — Russian, Arabic countries, United States — and I draw inspiration from all sorts of places. That us just life, is not it?
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— You mentioned that content is especially important today. Speaking of which — I have seen your Instagram, and your videos are stunning. Do you have a personal favourite?
— Content really is everything now. You have to move fast, but still aim for quality. The key is not to compromise — even when the pace is intense. That is how I work, and it is what I always tell others too.
I honestly love all the videos we have made, but if I had to choose one, it would be a piece we created using AI. It is very spiritual and personal to me — the one with the chains wrapped around the pianist. Did you see it?
— Yes, I did! It really stands out.
— That concept came to me during meditation. I saw myself completely surrounded by chains — and then, in that deep meditative state, I broke free from all of them.
Right after that session, I produced four tracks in just two hours. It was a powerful moment.
Everyone carries chains — the ego, the attachments. When you break those chains, you start seeing life more clearly. That is when your being starts to evolve.
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— So you meditate? Tell me more about that.
— Meditation plays a big role in my life. I genuinely believe we all need it — to calm ourselves and go beyond the ego.
Ideas do not only come from the brain. They are like flashes — gifts from the universe that show up when you least expect them. Sometimes you wake up and there it is — an idea that changes everything. Meditation helps you stay open to that. That is why I do it daily — it helps with everything: work, inspiration, relationships, life in general.
— Amazing! But moving back to your videos — most of them go viral! How do you approach video production? How long does it take and how many people are involved?
— I have built my own visual production team — not just for myself, but also for the artists I work with in Iran as a producer. Content creation is a big part of my role too.
The most important part of the whole process is the concept. We spend a lot of time developing ideas before we shoot anything. Once the vision is clear, the actual production moves quickly. For example, we recently filmed ten completely different videos in a single day — each with its own unique concept and style. It all comes down to solid planning.
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— Ten videos! How do you manage all this with such a busy schedule?
— I am really busy, so I have had to adapt my schedule. For all my videos, I fly back to Iran. I have a big team of professionals there — they know me, and I know them. I usually record all the videos during a single trip. I fly out roughly every month, or at least every two months. Video production is a constant, unstoppable process.
— Why not just shoot in Dubai?
— I have worked with quite a few filmmakers here in Dubai, but it is tricky because I already have a close-knit team in Iran. We gave built a rhythm together. A lot of ideas come from my director.
— Now let’s talk about your music. What is your favourite track?
— For me, it is Senorita. That is one of the newer ones. I also love "Hey God, I Would Try" — it is about the connection between my present self and my inner child, who is still there, every day, asking God for help.
— Your latest songs feel quite different from your earlier work. Is that a conscious decision?
— I am always immersed in music. I see music as life itself. And life changes, so my music changes too. I do not like to stick to just one genre or sound. I enjoy experimenting and improvising. I listen to a huge range of music every day. It is like nature — mountains, forests, oceans — all different, all inspiring in their own way.
— How long do you usually spend on one song? And what is the hardest part of the process?
— The most challenging track I have made was Lala. That one was tough — it combined different languages, orchestral elements, and electronic sounds. Getting all those layers to work together was not easy.
Usually, a song starts with an idea — like a flash of inspiration. But turning that into a finished track can take time. Sometimes it happens in a day. But, for example, "Lala" took nearly five months. I even have some tracks that I have worked on for over a year — I revisit them once or twice a week, trying out different keys, drum kits, arrangements. Sometimes it still does not fully click.
— There is a saying that good songs are often born out of frustration and pain. Do you agree with that?
— Yes, I do. Pain is part of every human experience. But for artists, it is different — they have the ability to turn that pain into art, and that is something powerful. That is what makes it beautiful, I think. Someone might be going through something difficult, but instead of just sitting with the pain, artists channel it — into music, into paintings, into film.
But it isn't just about pain. Artists can transform anything into art. Some are inspired by nature, others by joy. It all depends.
— So, both pain and happiness can lead to great work?
— Exactly. Both have the same value — it is just that the colours are different. Some tracks are ‘blue’ or melancholic, some are bright and full of energy. That is life. And as an artist, you need to blend all of it together.
— Let’s switch gears a bit. I heard you have completed an MBA — is that true?
— Yes. I did an online MBA, and it took about two years. I realised at some point that being just an artist is not enough anymore. You need to understand how things work — data, marketing, branding. When creativity is paired with logic and intention, that is when real magic happens.
— What made you decide to study business while working in music?
— I was already working with a lot of Iranian artists back then, and I noticed something — many of them are incredibly talented, but their music does not get the attention it deserves. Not because it is not good, but because there’s no solid content or strategy behind it. That is where marketing really matters.
You can create amazing music or visuals, but if you do not know how to share it, how to really connect with people, it can just disappear. That is what made me want to learn more — so I could support both the creative side and the strategic side.
— You were named Best Pop Composer in Iran in 2022, right? How did that feel?
— Yes, actually I won it twice! It was an honour, for sure — but to be honest, I didn't feel anything too dramatic. I just wanted to keep creating. Sometimes, awards can make you stop if you let them.
I think it is important to keep your light on and remind yourself, “This is not the finish line.” Right now, for example, I am working towards the Grammy Awards. And if I ever win one, I will still need to keep going — keep creating.
— The last one — imagine you are a 10-year-old boy, and someone tells you that one day you will be a superstar across the whole Middle East. Would you believe them?
— Yes. Just like now — if you ask me about the future, I will say: I believe I have become one of the greatest, because I am constantly pushing. I have worked hard on my music, my personal branding, marketing... even studied MBA and DBA. I push myself in every area. I am on the path, and I believe in it.
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