Touraj Keshtkar (Persian: تورج کشتکار) (born May 26, 1987), better known under his stage name Tooji, is a Norwegian-Iranian singer, painter, model and television host. Tooji represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan and finished 26th in the final.
Tooji holds a bachelor's degree in child welfare. He has worked in asylum reception centers helping children and teenage refugees and victims of human trafficking. This work motivated him to use his songs and profile to speak out for those who suffer in silence. Tooji is a supporter of LGBT and women's rights, as well as a supporter of Green Wave, Iran's democratic reform movement. Tooji wore a Free Iran green bracelet during his performance in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In June 2015, Tooji came out as gay to the Norwegian website Gaysir, stating that he hoped he could make it easier for young gay people by being open about his own sexuality. He was praised for his decision by the Norwegian National Association for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender People.
[singer hums and ad libs for 22 seconds]
[Djay]
Look this is my life, and it's a battle within
I gotta survive, even if I'm sinnin to win
And if I show no remorse I reap the devil's reward
He said he'd, give me riches but I'm lookin for more
When I was young, witnessed my dad, standin for right
Black pride in him even though he passin for white
Took years from my life, now I'm missin the man
Moms on some other shit and now I'm missin the plan
And so I'm... stuck in this fuck-a-marole
All the lessons to a young teen baby was cold
Then my pimpin-ass Uncle put me up on the game
It really ain't no love it's 'bout this, paper mayne
Put me in a position, got me out on a mission
Collectin from the hoes turned on to my pimpin
A nigga from Memphis dealin with life as a struggle
This is the gift I was given so I just live by my hustle
[Chorus x2: Djay (singer, ad libbing at times)]
(Keep hustlin) It ain't over for me, no it ain't over for me
(Keep, flowin) I'ma step my game up and get what's comin to me
[Djay]
Now I'm just gettin by, and it's FUCKIN with me
See others doin big thangs they was nothin to me
I'm seein what I used to be, and it's lookin legit
Got my hands on some music, started FUCKIN with it
Put it down hard, then I started bumpin to this
I let some others get a dose and they was NUTTIN to this
Let me check my connections cause we go back in the day
Say they was lookin for 'dro, heard I was hustlin hay
Got me connin my niggaz, spittin game to my hoes
This my opportunity I feel like anything goes
I was never 'sposed to see the new millenium mayne
And I refuse to let my dad die in vain
So I give it my all, you feel my struggle and pain
If you ain't feelin what I'm spittin trick you late to the game
But the closest ones to me know I'm holdin it down
You gon' feel me one day, we gon' be heard in the town