German Iranian singer-songwriter Mina Richman releases single ‘Baba Said’ – a moving statement of solidarity with the protesters in Iran.

In response to the protests taking place in Iran, German Iranian queer singer-songwriter Mina Richman will release her protest song ‘Baba Said’ on November 4th. The musician expresses her criticism of the regime and full support for the women and men protesting against the mandatory hijab and all other ways that the regime restricts freedom and oppresses people, especially women and queer people. It was first shared as a Reel on Instagram and has since received close to 1 million views.

The song weaves the horrific story of Mahsa Jina Amini with her own experiences and memories of Iran, allowing the singer to explore the tension between her deep love for her family and the people protesting for their freedom and her anger and hatred for the brutal regime committing these crimes. Mina performs the song with a sparse ukulele and powerful, raw vocals, denouncing the regime for denying people "the freedom to love" and "the freedom to wear whatever we choose."

Richman releases ‘Baba Said’ on the all-female Ladies&Ladys Label, and the song has received support from prominent individuals around the world, including political writer Düzen Tekkal and actress Susan Sarandon. She will perform with Alice Merton at the MTV Music Week and Free Fall Festival in Düsseldorf on November 5 before touring around Germany with Nigel Connell.

Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from, and something about the music you make? 

Hi I am Mina Richman. I currently live in Bielefeld, which is somewhere in the north-western part of Germany. My so far released music is heavily influenced by the time I spent in isolation during Corona in a tiny room with just my Ukulele and Acoustic guitar. If you catch a live show, you will still find those singer-songwriter roots but also soul and blues elements.

We’re very aware of what is going on in Iran right now, is there anything you’d like to say to our readers about what is going on?

People in Iran have started protesting the brutal and totalitarian regime after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini. She was detained and brought to a police station because her hijab was allegedly not worn properly. A few days later she died in the hospital. Since then, women have been taking of their hijabs in public, burning them,  people have been dancing, and singing calling for their freedom with the slogan “Zan, Zendegi; Azadi” or in Kurdish “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” meaning Women, Life, Freedom. While the government has tried to brutally shut down protests, limited internet access to attempt controlling information getting out to the world, people have not stopped. On the very forefront of the protests are students, but videos have shown people of all ages protesting.

Your single ‘Baba Said’ is very moving how did you balance using Mahsa Jina Amini’s death and not being exploitative?

I wrote “Baba Said” in the very first days of the protests starting. I was fearing for my family and kept thinking “that could have been me”. My father is from Iran and my parents considered living there instead of Germany before I was born. I originally just needed to put my emotions somewhere and then thought I could show my solidarity and support the people protesting by sharing the song. Even though I am save and privileged living in Germany, I wanted to at least show them that I am with them in spirit and support their resistance. I did not give it much further thought. The fact that this song has already been seen and shared so many times is quite unbelievable and made me think of how I can treat this with responsibility and respect. Therefore, all proceeds coming from this song will be given to a charity supporting people protesting in Iran. I hope that people who are coming across it will further inform and spread awareness themselves.

Can you tell us about your experience with visiting or living in Iran?

I visited Iran with my parents when I was a child many times. Every year we would be in Shiraz and Tehran, sometimes Isfahan. I mostly saw my family during those visits. We spent time in gardens, historical sites and ate a lot of amazing food. My aunt used to have a fig and an orange tree in her garden. My memories are coloured by childhood eyes and yes, I witnessed gender separation and was upset I couldn’t go swimming with my mom and dad on the same day in the public swimming pool, but I did not question it until later. I have not been back in Iran for quite some time now. There are these two separate images in my head that almost don’t fit together, and I realize that this is dangerous because the beauty and the cruelty have always lived side by side. I suppose the images of this revolution have woken me up to reality.

How did making music start for you?

I always loved singing. Eventually my mom heard me sing an Adele song and with some surprise realized I wasn’t all that bad and offered if I wanted to take singing lessons. From then it progressed naturally. I started playing with bands, covers at first and taught myself some guitar. When the pandemic hit I had little to do and writing songs kept me sane in my solitude.

How do you feel identity and place influence your music?

Baba Said is the first song I have written and released that mentions my Persian heritage. I suppose it is moments like these where you feel your roots aching and sit down with yourself to observe what all these feelings are.

Ultimately, I write from emotional states and feelings are somewhat universal, whether it is losing a friend, falling in or out of love. Identity can be a framework, sometimes even a focus point but most of the times I am just human with a bouquet of very human feelings of fear and love and all things in between. In Baba Said I do sing about the protests, about the unjust killing of Jina Mahsa Amini, about freedoms the regime has taken away, but also about personal loss, about hope and anger.

What’s your songwriting process like? 

It used to be words first. But now it sometimes is beat or melody or bass line first. With Baba Said I don’t really remember it just came together so suddenly I was surprised myself. The more emotions there are the blurrier is the memory of writing.

What inspires your music?

Many things…people…feelings. I always shy away from this question because it is a big world out there and a big world inside my mind as well. Joan as Policewoman is a huge inspiration to me. That woman knows how to write songs that keep me alive. That is the power of music. She holds it for me.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why is it important to you?

The Deep Field by Joan as Policewoman. Discovered it when I was in a dark place in my teens. I keep and keep revisiting it. It has so much groove, honesty, power. It’s quite soul shifting and it was the soundtrack to my own coming of age.

What do you hate right now?

War, the Iranian regime, winter darkness fast approaching

What do you love right now?

All the brave people protesting, my family, playing concerts

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

Oh, tough one. Every single Cologne gig has been magical so far. Just last Friday we were in a gorgeous church with a beautiful light installation and the crowd was so loving. It was the first time I could perform standing up again since injuring my foot in August. Afterwards a German Iranian girl came up to me and we exchanged some stories and thoughts. I felt truly not alone that night and that means a lot to me. 

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

Oh, easy one. I was 2 days out of the hospital with my broken foot in August and in so much pain, but Joan as Policewoman was playing in Hamburg that night, so we drove there. I was in a wheelchair in the front row, and I felt so alive.

Is there a particular place in the world you would love to play a gig one day? 

I am dreaming of freely performing in Iran one day.

What comes next in the Mina Richman story? 

We are preparing to record an album in 2023 and hopefully tour.

What Iranian artists should we be listening to?

Shervin Hajipour who wrote Baraye, the song that has been the hymn of the revolution. Sevdaliza wrote “Women, Life, Freedom” and there are many playlists on Spotify called when you search for “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi” with many Iranian artists. Especially the rapper Toomaj Salehi, who’s been critical of the regime should have all our attention now, as he has been recently abducted by the police and is in danger. 

What upcoming 2022 music releases are you most excited about?

First Aid Kid brings out an Album today.  

Is there any new music from 2022 you have been enjoying? 

Oh yes plenty! Becky Sikasa made a stunning EP and I cannot wait to collaborate with her. I also had a big moment with About Damn Time by Lizzo. Black Sea Dahu made a beautiful Album called I am my Mother. I listened to the single “Glue” on repeat.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Please stay aware of what is happening in Iran. Keep posting and sharing. Pressure from the outside is so important because ethe people in Iran are fighting as hard as they can. Sign petitions, support organizations, follow journalists like Düzen Tekkal, who are tirelessly reporting.