Tooji

Tooji (born Touraj Keshtkar in 1987 in Shiraz, Iran) is a Norwegian singer, presenter and model. He began his career in modeling at the age of 16 and afterwards began working at MTV Norway where he presented the programs “Super Saturday” and “Tooji’s Top 10″. He made his live music début at the Melodi Grand Prix 2012 and won the ticket to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with his entry "Stay". His first single was called “Swan Song” and was released back in 2008. His family's Persian roots and traditions have given Tooji strong influences, both musically and personally. A close family bond and relationship in a new country has impacted his childhood and life decisions ever since. He celebrated his 1st birthday during his family's migration to Oslo Norway. Tooji’s greatest wish to communicate his feelings and opinions, brought him on the path of creativity, and through performing arts school, it was his love for music that eventually captured his heart. Apart from cultivating his passion, his experiences with working with children, teenagers and immigrants have given him an even more important calling in life: To give a voice to those who cannot/have not been heard. Some choices are more important than others, and working with immigrants set its mark. "I was so blessed to have my family here, a good bed, food and a roof over my head. But at the same time I was so sad to see all these people, children and young teenagers with so much misery and pain in their eyes. It gave me perspective" Tooji completed his children's welfare pedagogical studies and is today working in the Norwegian children’s welfare system, which he experiences to be intense and social, challenging and important. "When I got involved in cases and people I wanted to help, I knew the political arguments, rules and regulations and laws - but I wasn't heard. It was so frustrating! My commitment was not enough, and it became an important motivation factor in my wish to obtain a voice that someone would hear" For Tooji, it's all about the music making it possible. The Music is a force. The Music gives a chance to be heard. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.