Ali Payami is a Swedish record producer, songwriter, and DJ.[1]

Ali Payami
BornTehran, Iran
OriginSweden
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • DJ
Years active2001–present

Payami's first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was The Weeknd's single "Can't Feel My Face".[2] In 2016, he won a Grammy for Album of the Year for his contributions on Taylor Swift's album 1989. He has also worked with other musicians such as Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding and Katy Perry.

Early life

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Ali was born in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Then, once his family moved to Sweden during his early childhood. he was first exposed to music in Malmö. At a young age he listened to many genres of music, ranging from Dr. Dre's The Chronic to Nirvana.[1] He watched people in bands rehearse and make music, which prompted him to develop interest in the same.[3] This interest was reflected by his statement "When you play something and see people's reactions when they hear it... It really affected me."

Growing up, however, he became more interested in house music, siding away from the pop genre he was exposed to. This was evident from his words "...these guys were more into pop and mainstream, and I chose more house music..." in an interview. Payami didn't understand how to make music when he was younger. However, as years passed and new, better software became available for music production, he learnt the basics by watching others do so. Later, he bought the programs and started creating music himself.[4][3]

Ali Payami then started DJing at school parties and in local clubs. He said “DJing played a big part in what I do now; the mentality of it and the love of both new and old music. When you play something and see people's reactions when they hear it... It really affected me.” in an interview with Billboard. While working in clubs, Payami had to get other jobs to support himself, including a short lived job as a telemarketer. He described this experience as "weird", stating “I loved DJing, but what I didn't like was being the center of attention.”[1]

Career

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Beginnings

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Ali Payami met Julius Petersson, then an A&R for Warner/Chappel, during the time he was DJing in clubs. This provided him a major opportunity at the time, as the public house gave him a cash advance. In Payami's words, "It allowed me to not have to work on anything else but music, so you can eat but also concentrate on what you want to do". Payami was also grateful to Julius and considered him a visionary, stating "Julius was such a visionary. He believed in not just me, but a lot of people who are very successful now."

Through Petersson, Max Martin's brother-in-law, Payami was introduced to Shellback, a highly successful Swedish music producer. This eventually enabled Payami to collaborate with Max Martin. Payami commented on Martin, saying "He's not only amazing and talented the way everyone knows him, but he's also a great guy. It's not just music; you learn so much about life, how to collaborate with people, and how to be open and not let egos take over the room.”[1]

Rise to fame

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Ali Payami's collaborations with Max Martin since 2014 have been an "ubiquitous part of the pop radio landscape", as described by Billboard. His work on Ariana Grande's song "Love Me Harder" was one of the first of such collaborations, on which Payami commented, "I remember sitting in a studio in L.A. and me and [Peter Svensson] were just playing around. A few days later, he showed me this voice note with a part of a melody that we had played, and we tried to recreate it. From there, the whole thing came together. Savan came in with more melodies and lyrics, and then after that The Weeknd did his thing."[5]

Ali Payami worked on The Weeknd's song "Can't Feel My Face", which helped him settle himself as a popular pop artist. The song hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and obtained two Grammy nominations, for "Record of the Year" and "Best Pop Solo Performance". Payami said that it was a very simple song, and not "super advanced".[6] Max Martin, on Payami, jokingly commented that he was envious of him, who "listened to new music all the time"[2]

Payami has worked with Taylor Swift, co-writing and co-producing "Style" from her album 1989 (2014), and "...Ready for It?" from Reputation (2017).

Payami co-wrote and co-produced Katy Perry's single "Chained to the Rhythm" from her album Witness (2017).

Payami worked with Poppy on her fifth studio album Zig (2023).

Payami resides in Stockholm and works in Wolf Cousins Studio.[7]

Discography

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Albums

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Year Artist Album Role
2024 Jason Derulo Nu King Producer, Co-writer
2023 Taylor Swift 1989 (Taylor's Version) Co-writer
Poppy Zig Producer, Co-writer
2022 Fletcher Girl of My Dreams Co-producer, Co-writer
2021 L Devine Near Life Experience Part Two Producer, Writer
2020 Astrid S Leave It Beautiful Producer, Co-writer
2017 Taylor Swift Reputation Producer, Co-writer, keyboards, programming
Katy Perry Witness Guitar, Drums, Bass, Synths, Piano, Background Vocals, Producer, Programming
Tove Lo Blue Lips Producer, Co-Writer
2016 Various Artists 2016 Grammy Nominees[8] Composer, Producer
Various Artists #PartyHits Composer, Producer, Programmer
Ariana Grande Dangerous Woman Bass, Composer, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer, Programming
Various Artists Fitness Beats 2016[9] Composer, Musical Instrument, Producer, Programmer
Ron Jeremiah Ghost Town 2016[10] Composer
Various Ghostbusters (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Bass, Composer, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Piano, Producer, Programming
Sabina Ddumba Homeward Bound Bass, Composer, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer, Programmer
Chlara In a Different Light Composer
Kidz Bop Kidz Bop 33 Composer
Laleh Kristaller Composer
Tove Lo Lady Wood Bass, Co-composer

Co-composer, Drums, Guitar, Instrumentation, Keyboards, Producer, Programming

Nick Jonas Last Year Was Complicated Bass, Composer, Drums, Keyboards, Producer, Programming, Synthesizer
Various Artists Lazy Afternoon [UMTV] Composer
Beth Love Songs Composer
Baby Rockstar Lullaby Renditions of Taylor Swift: 1989 Composer
Various Artists Now That's What I Call Music! 58 Composer
Various Artists Now That's What I Call Music! 60 Composer
Various Artists Now That's What I Call a Workout 2017 Composer
Various Artists 'Now That's What I Call Music! 27' Composer
Various Artists Party Tyme Karaoke: Super Hits, Vol. 26 Composer
Jim Brickman Pure Cinema Composer
Alessandro Danello Shine - EP Composer
The Weeknd Starboy Composer
David Nail Uncovered - EP Composer
2015 Ryan Adams 1989 Composer
The Weeknd Beauty Behind the Madness Bass, Composer, Drums, Keyboards, Producer, Programming, Synthesizer
Demi Lovato Confident Composer, Drums, Guitar, Percussion, Producer, Programming
Ellie Goulding Delirium Bass, Composer, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer, Programming, Synthesizer, Vocals (Background)
Various Artists Fifty Shades of Grey: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Bass, Composer, Drums, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer, Programming, Vocals (Background)
Fifty Shades of Grey Remixed Composer
Sabrina I Love Acoustic 8 Composer
Kidz Bop Kidz Bop 28 Composer
Kidz Bop Kidz Bop 29 Composer
Various Artists Now That's What I Call Music! 53 Composer
Various Artists Now That's What I Call Music! 55 Composer
Various Artists Now That's What I Call Music! 56 Composer
Various Artists Now That's What I Call Music! 24 Composer
Various Artists Party Tyme Karaoke: Girl Pop Mega Pack, Vol. 3 Composer
Various Artists Party Tyme Karaoke: Girl Pop Party Pack, Vol. 6 Composer
Various Artists Party Tyme Karaoke: Girl Pop, Vol. 24 Composer
Various Artists Party Tyme Karaoke: Pop Mega Pack, Vol. 3 Composer
Piano Rockstar Piano Renditions of Taylor Swift: 1989 Composer
Nessi Rolling With the Punches Composer
Ariana Azalea Style: New Romantics 2015 Gangnam EP Composer
Koryn Hawthorne The Voice: The Complete Season 8 Collection Composer
Straight No Chaser The New Old Fashioned Composer
Adam Lambert The Original High Bass, Composer, Drums, Instrumentation, Keyboards, Musician, Percussion, Producer, Programmer, Programming, Unknown Instrument, Various Instruments
Patrick Rouiller Tous Les Titres Du Gagnant Nouvelle Star 2016 Composer
Tori Kelly Unbreakable Smile Composer, Instrumentation, Percussion, Producer, Programming
2014 Taylor Swift 1989 Co-writer, Keyboards, Co-producer, Programming
Lea Michele Louder Composer, Engineer, Keyboards, Producer, Programming, Strings
Ariana Grande My Everything Bass, Composer, Drums, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer, Programming
Various Artists NRG Workout[11] Primary Artist
Tove Lo Queen of the Clouds Co-composer, Instrumentation, Producer, Programming, Remixing
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift Karaoke: 1989 Composer, Keyboards, Producer, Programming
2012 Loreen Heal Composer
2011 Various Artists Most Wanted!, Vol. 1: The Ultimate Clubhouse[12] Primary Artist
2010 Various Artists 101 Ibiza Anthems Producer
Various Artists Big Tunes: Destination Dance[13] Producer
Various Artists Club Anthems 2010 Producer
Various Artists Clubland Smashed Primary Artist
Various Artists Kanikuly 2010 Primary Artist
Various Artists Ministry of Sound: Running Trax, Vol. 2 Producer
Ali Payami Roots Primary Artist
Various Artists The Mash Up Mix 2010 Producer
2009 Various Artists Absolute Dance: Winter 2009 Primary Artist
Various Artists Chilled Euphoria [Ministry of Sound] Additional Production, Remixing
Various Artists Clubbers Guide 2009 Producer, Composer, Primary Artist
Various Artists Clubland Classix, Vol. 2 Primary Artist
Various Artists Clubland Classix 2 [Digital Bundle Package] Primary Artist
Various Artists Dance Chart, Winter/Spring 2009 Primary Artist
Various Artists Euro Hits 2008 Primary Artist
Various Artists From House to Electro 2009: In the Mix Primary Artist
Various Artists Hardcore Til I Die, Vol. 2 [2009] Primary Artist
Various Artists Hed Kandi: Beach House 2009 Producer
Various Artists Hed Kandi: Summer Sampler 2009 Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Primary Artist
Various Artists Hed Kandi: The Mix Spring 2009 Composer, Primary Artist
Various Artists House 2009 Primary Artist
Various Artists Ministry of Sound: Annual 2010 Additional Production, Remixing
Amy Diamond Swings and Roundabouts Composer
Various Artists The Annual Compilation 2010[14] Primary Artist
Various Artists Ultimate NRG 4 Primary Artist
2008 Various Artists Club Sensation 2008 Primary Artist
Various Artists Club House Sensation 2008 Producer, Primary Artist
Various Artists Club Sounds, Vol. 46 Primary Artist
Various Artists Club Trance, Vol. 2 Composer, Primary Artist
Various Artists Clubbers Best Choice Primary Artist
Various Artists Clublife: The Weekend Has Landed Primary Artist
Various Artists Dream Dance, Vol. 49 Primary Artist
Various Artists Electro House Alarm, Vol. 3 Primary Artist
Various Artists Future Trance, Vol. 45 Primary Artist
Various Artists Hed Kandi: The Mix - Summer 2008 Producer, Remixing
Frida Hoppa Upp! Producer, Composer
Various Artists Housexy 2008 Producer, Remixing
Various Artists Ibiza Residence '08 Primary Artist
Daniel Desnoyers In Da House, Vol. 3 Composer, Primary Artist
Various Artists Kontor House of House, Vol. 6 Primary Artist
Various Artists Kontor Top of the Clubs, Vol. 40 Primary Artist
Various Artists Ministry of Sound: Annual 2009 [Germany] Primary Artist
Various Artists Ministry of Sound: The Annual, Winter 2009 Primary Artist
Various Artists Progressive Attack Primary Artist
Various Artists Tanecní Liga Best Dance Hits 2008 Primary Artist
Various Artists Tanecní Liga, Vol. 105 Primary Artist
Various Artists Tekno! 47 Primary Artist
Various Artists Tunnel Trance Force, Vol. 46 Primary Artist
Various Artists Viva Club Rotation, Vol. 39 Primary Artist
Various Artists Welcome to the Club, Vol. 14 Primary Artist
Various Artists Work It out...Pump It Up!!! Primary Artist
2007 Various Artists Club Miami, Vol. 1 Composer, Primary Artist
DJ Jondal La Nuit, Vol. 2: Rare Lounge Producer, Composer
Måns Zelmerlöw Stand by For... Producer
Various Artists Sunshine House Composer, Primary Artist
2005 Arash Arash Remixing
2001 Various Artists Disco Kandi Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Composer, Primary Artist

Produced songs

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Year Artist Title Role
2024 Jason Derulo "Lie to Me" Producer,Writer
"Save the Last Dance" Producer,Writer
2023 Poppy Church Outfit Producer,Writer
2022 Tove Lo I‘m to Blame Producer,Writer
2018 Liam Payne "For You (with Rita Ora)" Producer,Writer
2017 Taylor Swift "...Ready For It?" Producer,Writer
Tove Lo Don‘t Ask Don‘t Tell Producer,Writer
Bitches Producer,Writer
Stranger Producer,Writer
Lana Del Rey '"Lust for Life" Drums
Katy Perry Chained to the Rhythm Producer,Writer
Witness Producer,Writer
Roulette Producer,Writer
Hey Hey Hey Producer,Writer
2016 Ariana Grande Touch it Producer,Writer
The Weeknd Rockin‘ Producer,Writer
A Lonely Night Producer,Writer
Love to Lay Producer,Writer
Nick Jonas Under You Producer,Writer
Tove Lo Keep it Simple Producer,Writer
Katy Perry "Rise" Producer,Writer
Adam Lambert "Welcome to the Show" Producer,Writer
2015 Ellie Goulding Love Me Like You Do Producer,Writer
Army Producer,Writer
Devotion Producer,Writer
Taylor Swift "Style" Producer,Writer
Tori Kelly California Lover Producer,Writer
Adam Lambert Ghost Town Producer
Lucy Producer,Writer
Underground Producer,Writer
There i Said it Producer,Writer
Evil in the Night Producer,Writer
Another Lonely Night Producer,Writer
The Weeknd Shameless Producer,Writer
Can‘t Feel My Face Producer,Writer
In the Night Producer,Writer
Robin Thicke "Back Together" Producer,Writer
Demi Lovato Cool for the Summer Producer,Writer
2014 Tove Lo The Way that I am Producer,Writer
Ariana Grande Love Me Harder Producer,Writer
Lea Michelle Thousand Needels Producer,Writer
2011 Loreen Sober Producer,Writer

[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Max Martin Collaborator Ali Payami Shares Stories of Writing Hits With Katy Perry & the Weeknd". Billboard. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Max Martin - world exclusive interview - Di Storytelling". Di Storytelling. 11 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Ali Payami Interview Podcast (Jan 22, 2008)". Radio Javan. 22 January 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Polar Talks 2016 - From hip hop to pop: A talk with songwriter Ali Payami".
  5. ^ "Max Martin Collaborator Ali Payami Shares Stories of Writing Hits With Katy Perry & the Weeknd". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Savan Kotecha interview: The people with the longest careers are the people who learn how to do it on purpose". Popjustice. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  7. ^ Eliasson, Fredrik (24 April 2015). "Bakom kulisserna på Max Martins nya hitfabrik". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  8. ^ "'2016 GRAMMY Nominees' album now available". GRAMMY.com. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Fitness Beats 2016 by Various Artists on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Ghost Town 2016 - Ron Jeremiah | Releases | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  11. ^ "NRG Workout - Various Artists | Releases | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Most Wanted!, Vol. 1: The Ultimate Clubhouse - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  13. ^ "Big Tunes: Destination Dance - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  14. ^ "The Annual Compilation 2010 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  15. ^ "Ali Payami | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 March 2017.