Arif Zahir

Last updated

Arif Zahir
Born
Arif Zahir Lopes-Thrower [1]

(1994-04-15) April 15, 1994 (age 29) [2]
Berkeley, California, U.S.
Other names
  • Azerrz
  • 4rif
Alma mater Hussian College (Didn't finish) [3]
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
  • internet personality
Years active2007–present
Musical career
Genres
YouTube information
Channels
Years active2007–present
Genres
Subscribers
  • 7.17 million (Azerrz)
  • 191K (4rif)
Total views
  • 794 million (Azerrz)
  • 8.8 million (4rif)
YouTube Silver Play Button 2.svg100,000 subscribers2015 (Azerrz) • 2019 (4rif)
YouTube Gold Play Button 2.svg1,000,000 subscribers2017 (Azerrz)
Last updated: March 11, 2021

Arif Zahir Lopes-Thrower (born April 15, 1994) is an American actor, musician, and internet personality. His YouTube channel, Azerrz, has over 7 million subscribers [4] and features voice impressions of a plethora of celebrities and cartoon characters. Since 2021, Zahir has voiced Cleveland Brown on the television series Family Guy , succeeding Mike Henry. [5]

Contents

Early life and education

Zahir is of African-American and Cape Verdean descent and was born on April 15, 1994, in Berkeley, California. He was partially raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts where he attended Nativity Preparatory School and Keith Middle School before moving back to California in 2007. [6]

Zahir began doing voice impressions in middle school to impress his classmates. He originally made a YouTube channel in 2007 which focused on performing magic tricks. [7] After doing so and finding success he started attending Hussian College's campus in Los Angeles. He later dropped out to spend more time focusing on his YouTube career. [3]

Career

Zahir created his YouTube channel in 2012 but posted his first video in 2013. [4] [8] He started out by posting comedic sketches, gaming videos, and videos of himself performing voice impressions of both cartoon characters and real celebrities. [5] [9] [10] Zahir garnered initial success through his voice impressions which he started doing in 2011. [11] [12] [13] One of the first voices Zahir did was of Cleveland Brown, whom he would go on to voice several years later. [14] [15] [16]

Zahir landed his first acting role playing a character named Arif in the short film No One But Lydia. Starting in 2018, he became a recurring cast member on How It Should Have Ended voicing Black Panther / T'Challa. [17] Through community challenges and his first viral hit with "Ted Plays Call of Duty" (which has over 20M+ views), Arif quickly grew his channel to over 6.5+ million subscribers and 650+ million views. [18]

He is also a rapper and singer and releases music under the moniker 4rif. [19] He released his debut album At Last Sight on August 30, 2019. [20] He followed it up with an EP called Go Gadget/Blues Clues which was released on April 29, 2020, in collaboration with rapper Dlngqnt. [21]

On June 26, 2020, Mike Henry, who had voiced Cleveland Brown since 1999, announced he was stepping down and believed a person of color should voice the role. [22] On September 25, 2020, it was announced that Zahir would be voicing Cleveland starting in Season 20 of Family Guy . [5]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014No One But LydiaArifShort film; credited as Arif Lopes
2016EraserDeathShort film; credited as Arif Lopes
The Invisible ShadowThe Bagged ManShort film; credited as Arif Lopes
2017Everyone But MeAndre [23] Short film
Hues and Hidden KingsA Hidden KingShort film
2019The Golden Realm: An American Larping ExperiencePeter, KalthorShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016CliffhangerTed3 episodes
2018G.P.A.Xander Holland [24] 4 episodes [25] [26] [27] [28]
2018–present How It Should Have Ended [17] Black Panther / T'Challa 3 episodes; voice role [29] [30] [31]
2019Internet RichHimself1 episode
2020Party Chat [32] Arif [33] Web series; also producer [34]
2020 VENN: Arcade Live [35] HimselfEpisode "Voice Impressions with Azerrz + WWE Superstar Zelina Vega Throw Down" [36]
2021–present Family Guy [37] [38] [39] Cleveland Brown [40] [41] [42] Voice role; replaced Mike Henry starting in season 20 after he stepped down [43] [5] [44]
2021RockyClubber [45] Voice role
2022 American Dad! Reginald1 episode; voice role
Robot Chicken Nelson Mandela 1 episode; voice role

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2018No Way Out – A Dead Realm TaleEdgar, William Huxley, librarian, ClownVoice roles

Music videos

YearSongArtistRoleDirector
2018Down the Line [46] Lokl YoklThe BartenderRyan Rosenblum
Drunk With You [47] Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rifHimselfZane Morrow
2019August [48] 4rifFowluh
Gimme Ya Lovin' [49] [50] Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rifChristina Xing
2020At Last Sight/Kids [51] 4rif
The Window [52] Ryan Rosenblum

Discography

Albums

List of albums
TitleDetails
At Last Sight
  • Released: August 30, 2019 [20]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

List of extended plays
TitleEP details
Go Gadget/Blues Clues(with DLNQNT)
  • Released: April 29, 2020 [53]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Venture
  • Releasing: 2021 or 2022 [54] [55]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist

TitleYearAlbum
"August" [56] 2018At Last Sight
"Summers End" [57] 2019Non-album single
"Wonderful Miracle" [58] At Last Sight
"Channel Lovely" [59]
"Go Gadget" (with DLNQNT) [60] 2020Go Gadget/Blues Clues [61]
"Blues Clues" (with DLNQNT) [60]
"Favorite Girl" [62] TBA
"Ignore Me" [63] TBA
"Cafe in LA" [64] 2021TBA
"Leave Me (August II)" [65] TBA
"Note to Me" [66] 2022TBA

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Hope County" (NerdOut featuring 4rif and Legiqn) [67] 2018Year 3
"Drunk With You" (Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif) [68] Non-album single
"Gimme Ya Lovin'" (Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif) [49] 2019Non-album single
"G League"(DLNQNT featuring 4rif) [69] DZJNTD Vol. 1 – DNT PLY

Related Research Articles

<i>Family Guy</i> American animated sitcom

Family Guy is an American animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series premiered on January 31, 1999, following Super Bowl XXXIII, with the rest of the first season airing two months later, beginning on April 11, 1999. The show centers around the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois, their children, Meg, Chris, and Stewie, and their anthropomorphic pet dog, Brian. Set in the fictional city of Quahog, Rhode Island, the show exhibits much of its humor in the form of metafictional cutaway gags that often lampoon American culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reagan Gomez-Preston</span> American actress (b. 1980)

Reagan Amyre Gomez-Preston is an American television, film and voice actress. She is known for her roles as Zaria Peterson on The WB sitcom The Parent 'Hood (1995–1999) and Roberta Tubbs on the FOX animated comedy The Cleveland Show (2009–2013). Gomez-Preston also starred in the short-lived UPN sitcom Love, Inc. in the 2005–2006 season as Francine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Brown</span> Family Guy and The Cleveland Show character

Cleveland Orenthal Brown Sr. is a fictional character from the animated television series Family Guy, and its spin-off series The Cleveland Show. He is a neighbor and friend of the Griffin family and is best known for his mild-mannered deadpan delivery. His established profession was that of a deli owner, before he switched over to being a postal worker after his return to Family Guy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Henry (voice actor)</span> American actor

Michael Robert Henry is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is known for his work on the animated sitcom Family Guy, where he was a writer and producer, as well as the voice of Cleveland Brown, Herbert, Bruce, Consuela, the Greased-up Deaf Guy, among others. Henry is also known for co-creating and starring in the spin-off The Cleveland Show (2009–2013), for which he voiced Cleveland Brown and Rallo Tubbs, among others. He is also known for his recurring role as Dann in the television series The Orville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K.Flay</span> American musician

Kristine Meredith Flaherty, better known as K.Flay, is an American singer, musician, songwriter, and rapper. She has released five studio albums: Life as a Dog (2014), Every Where Is Some Where (2017), Solutions (2019), Inside Voices / Outside Voices (2022), and Mono (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Plot in You</span> American rock band

The Plot in You is an American rock band formed in Hancock County, Ohio in 2010. Originally a side project of former Before Their Eyes member Landon Tewers, the group is composed of Tewers, guitarist Josh Childress, bassist Ethan Yoder and drummer Michael Cooper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meg Myers</span> American musician

Janice Sue Meghan Myers, known professionally as Meg Myers, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Originally from Tennessee, Myers moved to Los Angeles to pursue music and met Doctor Rosen Rosen, who signed her to his production company. In 2012, Myers released her first EP, Daughter in the Choir. Later that year, she signed to Atlantic Records, with which she released the Make a Shadow EP (2014) and her debut album, Sorry (2015). She later departed Atlantic for 300 Entertainment and released Take Me to the Disco, her second album, in 2018. Her third album TZIA was released in 2023 on Sumerian Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Machine Gun Kelly discography</span>

The discography of American musician Machine Gun Kelly consists of six studio albums, three extended plays (EPs), eight mixtapes, 32 singles and 75 music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Akana</span> American actress and filmmaker (born 1989)

Anna Kay Napualani Akana is an American actress, comedian, filmmaker, musician, and YouTuber. She has appeared in TV series, films, and music videos that include Awkward (2011), Ant-Man (2015), Hello, My Name is Doris (2016), and Dirty 30 (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foals discography</span>

English alternative rock band Foals has released seven studio albums, one video album, six extended plays, thirty-three singles and thirty-seven music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trash Boat</span> British punk rock band

Trash Boat is a British punk rock band formed in St Albans in 2014. The group consists of Tobi Duncan, Dann Bostock, Ryan Hyslop, James Grayson, and Oakley Moffatt (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Bieber videography</span>

Canadian singer Justin Bieber has starred in 111 music videos, 13 films, and has made 24 appearances in several television series. For his debut extended play My World (2009), Bieber released music videos for the singles "One Time", "One Less Lonely Girl", and "Love Me". Bieber released his debut studio-album, My World 2.0 (2010), which produced the hit single "Baby" featuring Ludacris. It broke the Guinness World Record for being the most popular video of any kind online and propelled Bieber to global stardom. As of August 2023, it has accumulated over 3 billion views and 24 million likes on YouTube. Both albums were featured in Bieber's first concert film, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, which became the highest-grossing concert/performance film of all-time at the global box office, with nearly $100 million in earnings. Based on initial tracking, it became the highest-grossing concert movie in the United States since 1984 and the third-highest-grossing documentary since 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Carter</span> American singer

Derek Tyler Carter is an American musician from Habersham County, Georgia. He was the lead vocalist and founding member of metalcore band Issues from 2012 until his dismissal from the band in 2020 due to allegations of sexual misconduct. Carter began his musical career performing drums in local bands in Atlanta. Following his underground success, he joined metalcore outfit Woe, Is Me, releasing their debut studio album, Number[s], in 2010, in which he left the following year.

Cleopatrick Canadian rock duo

Cleopatrick is a Canadian rock duo based in Cobourg, Ontario. They have released a studio album and three EPs by their own record label, called Nowhere Special Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamante (musician)</span> American singer-songwriter

Diamante Azzura Bovelli, known mononymously as Diamante, is an American singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asim Azhar</span> Pakistani singer, songwriter, musician and actor

Asim Azhar is a Pakistani singer, songwriter, musician and an actor. He started his career as a singer on YouTube, covering contemporary Western songs before he became a public figure.

<i>Family Guy</i> (season 19) Season of television series

The nineteenth season of Family Guy aired on Fox from September 27, 2020, to May 16, 2021.

<i>Family Guy</i> (season 20) Season of television series

The twentieth season of Family Guy aired on Fox from September 26, 2021, to May 22, 2022. the twentieth season aired as a part of the show's 20th anniversary.

References

  1. ↑ "Venn Guest Azerrz". www.venn.tv. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. ↑ Zahir, Arif (April 15, 2020). "Happy birthday babyyyy @Azerrz". Twitter. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Schneider, Michael (October 14, 2020). "How 'Family Guy' Newcomer Arif Zahir Landed His Big Break as the New Cleveland Brown". Variety. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Azerrz's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Schneider, Michael (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' Casts YouTube Star Arif Zahir as the New Voice of Cleveland Brown". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  6. ↑ Paleologos, Phil (October 28, 2020). "New Bedford Native the New Voice of Cleveland Brown [Phil-osophy]". 1420 WBSM. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Arif Lopes's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  8. ↑ "How Arif Zahir Went From YouTube To 'Family Guy'". www.backstage.com. December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  9. ↑ Hale, James (September 28, 2020). "YouTuber Arif Zahir To Voice Cleveland Brown On 'Family Guy'". tubefilter. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  10. ↑ "YouTuber Arif Zahir is the new voice of Cleveland on Family Guy". News. September 27, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Watch: This is Wakanda — A hilarious Black Panther parody of Childish Gambino's powerful music video". Firstpost. May 29, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Arif Zahir Breaks Out as the New Cleveland Brown on 'Family Guy'". Animation World Network. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Family Guy and The Simpsons Recast Major Black Characters". IGN Southeast Asia. September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  14. ↑ Young, Julius (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy's Cleveland Brown to be voiced by YouTube star Arif Zahir". Fox News. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  15. ↑ Itzkoff, Dave (September 25, 2020). "Cleveland on 'Family Guy' to Be Voiced by Arif Zahir". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Arif Zahir Replaces Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown on Family Guy". ComingSoon.net. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  17. 1 2 "How Black Panther Should Have Ended". ScreenRant. May 21, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Spotlight on Arif Zahir: Unconventional Ways To Land An Acting Gig". forCreators.com. October 19, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  19. ↑ "4rif's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  20. 1 2 At Last Sight by 4rif , retrieved February 2, 2021
  21. ↑ "Dlnqnt and 4rif Drop "Go Gadget / Blues CLues" EP". Show Out Hip-Hop. April 29, 2020. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  22. ↑ Leah Asmelash (June 27, 2020). "Mike Henry will no longer voice Cleveland on 'Family Guy'". CNN. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Everyone But Me | Narrative Music Video (feat. Azerrz) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  24. ↑ "G.P.A. Official Trailer – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  25. ↑ "G.P.A. Episode 1 | "The Team" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  26. ↑ "G.P.A. Episode 2 | "The Plan" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  27. ↑ "G.P.A. Episode 3 | "The Heist" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  28. ↑ "G.P.A. Episode 4 | "The End?" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  29. ↑ "How Black Panther Should Have Ended – Animated Parody – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  30. ↑ "How Avengers Infinity War Should Have Ended – Animated Parody – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  31. ↑ "HISHE Dubs – Avengers Infinity War (Comedy Recap) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  32. ↑ "New YouTube show, "Party Chat," is "The League meets Call of Duty: Warzone" | | Marijuanapy The World News" . Retrieved September 26, 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  33. ↑ ""Babe Blocked Me!" (Party Chat – Episode 1) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  34. ↑ Duwe, Scott (July 13, 2020). "New YouTube show, "Party Chat," is "The League meets Call of Duty: Warzone"". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Azerrz Episodes". www.venn.tv. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Voice Impressions with Azerrz + WWE Superstar Zelina Vega Throw Down | VENN Arcade Live | Episode 11 – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  37. ↑ Jensen, Erin. "'Family Guy': Arif Zahir takes over Cleveland Brown role from white actor Mike Henry". USA Today. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  38. ↑ "'Family Guy' Taps Arif Zahir As The New Voice Of Cleveland Brown". shadowandact.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Voice Artists Of Color Join Casts Of 'The Simpsons' And 'Family Guy,' Replacing White Actors". Cartoon Brew. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  40. ↑ "'Family Guy' finds new voice for Cleveland Brown in YouTuber Arif Zahir". wusa9.com. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  41. ↑ Asmelash, Leah. "'Family Guy' finds a new voice for Cleveland Brown in YouTuber Arif Zahir, known for his voice impressions". Jackson Progress-Argus. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Family Guy Casts Arif Zahir as Its New Cleveland". TV Shows. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  43. ↑ Leah Asmelash (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' finds new voice for Cleveland Brown". CNN. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  44. ↑ Haring, Bruce (June 26, 2020). "'Family Guy' Voice Actor Mike Henry Stepping Down From 'Cleveland Brown' Role". Deadline. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Rocky – Animated Series – Trailer! – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Lokl Yokl – Down the Line". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  47. ↑ "Joe Thomas Carter – Drunk With You Ft. Arif (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  48. ↑ "4rif – August (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  49. 1 2 "Gimme Ya Lovin': Christina Xing's homage to Chaplin for Joe Thomas Carter's new music video". www.adolescent.net. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Joe Thomas Carter – Gimme Ya Lovin' Ft. 4RIF (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  51. ↑ "4rif – At Last Sight/Kids (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  52. ↑ "4rif – The Window (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  53. ↑ Vandergast, Amelia (April 29, 2020). "DLNQNT & 4rif are due to drop their smooth grooving feat of Hip Hop "Go Gadget"". A&R Factory. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  54. ↑ ""@Azerrz where's the next album/EP bro? I'm listening to roses and I'm getting hype for the next release!🔥🔥" "2021"". Twitter. December 10–11, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  55. ↑ Zahir, Arif (September 10, 2021). "leaks_8.10.21". YouTube . Archived from the original on December 23, 2021.
  56. ↑ August – Single by 4rif , retrieved February 2, 2021
  57. ↑ Summers End – Single by 4rif , retrieved February 2, 2021
  58. ↑ Wonderful Miracle – Single by 4rif , retrieved February 2, 2021
  59. ↑ Channel Lovely (Radio Version) – Single by 4rif , retrieved February 2, 2021
  60. 1 2 Go Gadget/Blues Clues – Single by DLNQNT & 4rif , retrieved February 2, 2021
  61. ↑ "DLNQNT & 4rif Release New 2-Track EP". OnThaRizeMag. May 4, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  62. ↑ Favorite Girl – Single by 4rif , retrieved February 2, 2021
  63. ↑ Ignore Me – Single by 4rif , retrieved February 2, 2021
  64. ↑ Cafe in LA - Single by 4rif , retrieved March 11, 2021
  65. ↑ Leave Me (August II) - Single by 4rif , retrieved September 22, 2021
  66. ↑ Note To Me - Single by 4rif, July 8, 2022, retrieved July 13, 2022
  67. ↑ "Hope County (feat. Azerrz & Legiqn) by NerdOut". Apple Music. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  68. ↑ Drunk With You (feat. Arif) – Single by Joe Thomas Carter , retrieved February 2, 2021[ permanent dead link ]
  69. ↑ G League (feat. 4rif) by DLNQNT , retrieved February 2, 2021
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.