Ali Payami
Ali Payami (born 30 August 1983) is a Swedish record producer, songwriter, and DJ of Iranian origin, renowned for his contributions to pop music through collaborations with major artists and producers such as Max Martin.[1][2] Born in Tehran, Iran, Payami moved to Sweden as a child.[2] His breakthrough came in the mid-2010s with chart-topping tracks like The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" (2015), which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and Ariana Grande's "Problem" (2014), peaking at number two.[3][4] Payami's work often features polished electronic and synth-pop elements, earning him Grammy Award nominations, including for Record of the Year for "Can't Feel My Face" and Album of the Year for The Weeknd's Beauty Behind the Madness (2016).[5] Payami's early career involved remixing and producing for Swedish acts, but his international profile surged through partnerships with Max Martin's Wolf Cousins collective.[2] He co-wrote and co-produced Ellie Goulding's "Love Me Like You Do" (2015), which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media due to its inclusion in the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack.[6] Other notable credits include Taylor Swift's "Style" from 1989 (2014), which contributed to the album's Grammy win for Album of the Year, and Katy Perry's "Chained to the Rhythm" (2017).[7][8] His productions have appeared in soundtracks for films like San Andreas (2015) and Fifty Shades Freed (2018), showcasing his versatility in blending pop with cinematic elements.[9] While Payami's output peaked in the 2010s with multiple number-one hits across Europe and the US, his recent projects have been more selective, including work with artists like Poppy on tracks such as "Knockoff" (2023).[10] Based in Sweden, he continues to influence contemporary pop production, emphasizing innovative sounds and artist-driven creativity in interviews.[2]Early life
Childhood in Iran
Ali Payami was born on August 30, 1983, in Tehran, Iran, to Iranian parents.[3][1] His family belonged to the broader Iranian diaspora, though details about siblings or parental professions remain private and are not publicly detailed. Payami spent his early childhood in Tehran. At a young age, his family relocated to Sweden, beginning his process of cultural adaptation.[2]Move to Sweden and early influences
Ali Payami was born on August 30, 1983, in Tehran, Iran, and moved to Sweden as a young child.[1][2] His family settled in Malmö, where Payami spent his formative years navigating the challenges of cultural adjustment and integration into Swedish society as an immigrant child. In this multicultural environment, he adapted to the local scene.[2] Payami's early musical influences included Dr. Dre's innovative hip-hop production techniques and Nirvana's raw grunge energy, which he encountered through radio and mixtapes in Malmö. These genres shaped his eclectic taste, blending hip-hop rhythms with rock intensity.[2] Largely self-taught, Payami began experimenting with music production using early software tools and basic equipment available at the time. He started DJing at school parties and gradually moved to local clubs in Malmö and surrounding areas during his late teens, honing his skills through hands-on practice and the vibrant underground scene.[2]Career
Beginnings as a DJ and producer
Payami entered the music industry in the early 2000s as a DJ in Sweden, initially performing at school parties before transitioning to gigs in local clubs and parties, where he cultivated a reputation within the electronic and house music scenes.[2] As he progressed through his twenties, Payami began experimenting with music production, drawing on self-taught skills influenced by hip-hop pioneers like Dr. Dre and his album The Chronic, which helped shape his approach to blending genres.[2] He released his first tracks independently, including the 2006 single "First Choice" on the label 1980 Recordings, marking his initial foray into original material under his own name. These early efforts gained traction in Sweden's underground scene, but a turning point came in the mid-2000s when, while DJing at clubs, Payami connected with Julius Petersson, an A&R executive at Warner/Chappell Music; this encounter secured him a publishing deal and opened doors to broader industry networks.[2] Through Petersson, Payami met acclaimed producer Shellback around 2010, a collaboration that soon introduced him to Max Martin and steered his career toward high-profile pop production.[2]Breakthrough collaborations
Payami's breakthrough came through high-profile co-productions in the mid-2010s, particularly his work with Max Martin at Wolf Cousins Studios in Stockholm, where he contributed to crafting meticulously polished pop hooks layered with electronic elements and rhythmic precision.[2] These collaborations emphasized a signature sound that blended infectious melodies with sophisticated production techniques, elevating artists to global stardom. Payami's early connections via producer Shellback provided a crucial entry into this elite circle.[2] A pivotal moment arrived with his co-production of The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" in 2015, alongside Max Martin, which became Payami's first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit.[2][11] The track's funky bassline and synth-driven groove exemplified Payami's ability to fuse R&B influences with mainstream pop appeal, propelling it to multi-platinum status with over 4 million units certified by the RIAA by late 2015.[12] Payami also played a key role in Taylor Swift's 1989 album, released in 2014 but cementing its cultural impact in 2015, co-producing tracks like "Style" with Martin and Shellback.[13] The song's shimmering electronic textures and cyclical chorus highlighted Payami's contributions to the album's cohesive pop aesthetic, which earned the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2016.[14] His partnerships with Ariana Grande further showcased his versatility in merging pop and R&B, co-producing "Love Me Harder" (featuring The Weeknd) in 2014 from her My Everything era.[15] "Love Me Harder" featured sultry synths and vocal harmonies that blended the genres seamlessly, underscoring Payami's knack for emotional depth in commercial hits.[15]Recent projects and studio work
In 2017, Ali Payami co-produced and co-wrote Katy Perry's lead single "Chained to the Rhythm" from her album Witness, which incorporated dancehall and reggae elements to address themes of escapism and social complacency in contemporary society.[16][17] The track, featuring Skip Marley, marked Payami's continued collaboration with Max Martin and highlighted his ability to blend pop accessibility with subtle political commentary.[18] That same year, Payami contributed to Taylor Swift's Reputation album by co-writing and co-producing the opening track "...Ready for It?", which exemplified the project's shift toward a darker, trap-influenced sound with electronic beats and aggressive synths.[19] This work built on his earlier Grammy-winning involvement with Swift on 1989, allowing him to explore edgier production techniques amid the album's narrative of personal reinvention.[20] Payami's output in the 2020s has emphasized genre fusion, including full production duties on Poppy's 2023 album Zig, released via Sumerian Records, where he crafted a sound merging hyper-pop electronics with industrial rock riffs inspired by 1990s influences.[21] He also provided production contributions to Jason Derulo's 2024 album Nu King on Atlantic Records, notably on tracks like "Lie to Me," which featured sleek R&B-pop arrangements.[22] In October 2025, Payami released the electronic single "Disco Disco Good" in collaboration with Alex Sayz.[23] Based at Wolf Cousins Studios in Stockholm, Payami maintains an active role within the renowned production collective, collaborating on innovative pop techniques and supporting emerging artists through the studio's ecosystem.[24] His sustained engagement in pop and electronic projects underscores ongoing industry involvement.[20]Discography
Solo releases
Ali Payami's solo releases are confined to a handful of early singles and one EP, primarily in the electronic and dance genres, released between 2010 and 2012. These works emerged from his initial forays into music production and DJing within Sweden's club scene, where he gained modest traction among electronic music enthusiasts.[2] His debut solo EP, Green EP, arrived in 2010 via Caus-N-ff-ct Records, featuring three tracks: "Go Bye Bye," "Lick Ya Face" (featuring ADL), and "Green Walls." The release highlighted Payami's house influences, with pulsating beats and vocal samples characteristic of early 2010s Swedish house music. It received limited but positive notice in local electronic circles for its energetic club-ready sound.[25][2] In 2011, Payami issued the single "Pickup Truck" on Bakehaus Records, an electro house track clocking in at 128 BPM with a runtime of over six minutes in its original mix. Remixes by Danny T and Tom Lawson accompanied the release, extending its appeal in dance compilations. The single charted modestly on Swedish electronic playlists but did not achieve broader commercial success.[26][27] Payami's solo output peaked in 2012 with two singles: "Aliminium" on TopDJ Records, a seven-minute dance track blending synth-driven melodies and rhythmic builds, and "Disco Disco Good" (with Alex Sayz) on Nellie Recordings, a house-infused collaboration emphasizing disco elements and upbeat vocals. Both releases garnered niche play in Swedish clubs and electronic radio, contributing to Payami's growing reputation in the local scene before his pivot to production. A re-release of "Disco Disco Good" occurred on October 7, 2025, via Ghanati Group AB/PRDS Direct.[28][29][2][23]| Release | Year | Format | Label | Key Tracks/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green EP | 2010 | EP | Caus-N-ff-ct Records | "Go Bye Bye," "Lick Ya Face" (feat. ADL), "Green Walls"; house genre, 18 minutes total.[25] |
| Pickup Truck | 2011 | Single | Bakehaus Records | Original mix (6:36), remixes by Danny T and Tom Lawson; electro house.[26] |
| Aliminium | 2012 | Single | TopDJ Records | Original mix (7:29); dance/electronic.[28] |
| Disco Disco Good (with Alex Sayz) | 2012 | Single | Nellie Recordings | (6:50); house/disco influences. Re-released October 7, 2025, via Ghanati Group AB/PRDS Direct.[23] |