Arif Zahir Explained

Arif Zahir
Birth Name:Arif Zahir Lopes-Thrower[1]
Birth Date:15 April 1994[2]
Birth Place:Berkeley, California, U.S.
Alma Mater:Hussian College(Didn't finish)[3]
Years Active:2007–present
Module:
Embed:yes
Module2:
Embed:yes
Channels:
Subscribers:
  • 7.17 million (Azerrz)
  • 191K (4rif)
Views:
  • 794 million (Azerrz)
  • 8.8 million (4rif)
Years Active:2007–present
Silver Button:y
Silver Year:2015 (Azerrz) • 2019 (4rif)
Gold Button:y
Gold Year:2017 (Azerrz)
Diamond Button:n
Stats Update: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 and features voice impressions of a plethora of celebrities and cartoon characters. Since 2021, Zahir has succeeded Mike Henry as the voice of Cleveland Brown on the television series Family Guy.[4]

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.[5]

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 He originally made a YouTube channel in 2007 which focused on performing magic tricks.[6] After doing so and finding success he started attending Hussian College's campus in Los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.[7]

Career

Zahir created his YouTube channel in 2012 but posted his first video in 2013.[8] [9] He started out by posting comedic sketches, gaming videos, and videos of himself performing voice impressions of both cartoon characters and real celebrities.[10] [11] Zahir garnered initial success through his voice impressions which he started doing in 2011.[12] [13] [14] One of the first voices Zahir did was of Cleveland Brown, whom he would go on to voice several years later.[15] [16] [17]

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.[18] 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.[19]

He is also a rapper and singer and releases music under the moniker 4rif.[20] He released his debut album At Last Sight on August 30, 2019. 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.

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

Notes
2016CliffhangerTed3 episodes
2018G.P.A.Xander Holland[24] 4 episodes[25] [26] [27] [28]
2018–presentHow It Should Have EndedBlack Panther / T'Challa3 episodes; voice role[29] [30] [31]
2019Internet RichHimself1 episode
2020Party Chat[32] Arif[33] Web series; also producer[34]
2020VENN: Arcade Live[35] HimselfEpisode "Voice Impressions with Azerrz + WWE Superstar Zelina Vega Throw Down"[36]
2021–presentFamily Guy[37] [38] [39] Cleveland Brown[40] [41] [42] Voice role; main role, replaced Mike Henry starting in season 20 after he stepped down[43] [44]
2021RockyClubber[45] Voice role
2022American Dad!Reginald1 episode; voice role
Robot ChickenNelson Mandela1 episode; voice role

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] Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rifChristina Xing
2020At Last Sight/Kids[50] 4rif
The Window[51] Ryan Rosenblum

Discography

Albums

Title! scope="col" style="width:22em;"
Details
At Last Sight
  • Released: August 30, 2019
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

List of extended plays! Title! EP details
Go Gadget/Blues Clues
  • Released: April 29, 2020[52]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
Venture
  • Releasing: 2021 or 2022[53] [54]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist

TitleYearAlbum
"August"2018At Last Sight
"Summers End"2019
"Wonderful Miracle"At Last Sight
"Channel Lovely"
"Go Gadget" 2020Go Gadget/Blues Clues[55]
"Blues Clues"
"Favorite Girl"
"Ignore Me"
"Cafe in LA"2021
"Leave Me (August II)"
"Note to Me"2022
As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Hope County" [56] 2018Year 3
"Drunk With You"
"Gimme Ya Lovin'" [57] 2019
"G League"(DLNQNT featuring 4rif)DZJNTD Vol. 1 – DNT PLY

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Venn Guest Azerrz. December 16, 2020. www.venn.tv. en-US. November 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111194616/https://www.venn.tv/azerrz/. dead.
  2. Web site: Zahir. Arif. April 15, 2020. Happy birthday babyyyy @Azerrz.. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200417070903/https://twitter.com/Azerrz/status/1250625804758691840 . April 17, 2020 . September 26, 2020. Twitter. en.
  3. Web site: Schneider. Michael. October 14, 2020. How 'Family Guy' Newcomer Arif Zahir Landed His Big Break as the New Cleveland Brown. October 19, 2020. Variety. en.
  4. Web site: Schneider. Michael. September 25, 2020. 'Family Guy' Casts YouTube Star Arif Zahir as the New Voice of Cleveland Brown. September 25, 2020. Variety. en.
  5. Web site: October 28, 2020. Phil. Paleologos. New Bedford Native the New Voice of Cleveland Brown [Phil-osophy]]. November 10, 2020. 1420 WBSM. en.
  6. Web site: Arif Lopes's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats. December 16, 2020. socialblade.com.
  7. Web site: Schneider. Michael. October 14, 2020. How 'Family Guy' Newcomer Arif Zahir Landed His Big Break as the New Cleveland Brown. October 19, 2020. Variety. en.
  8. Web site: Azerrz's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats. September 25, 2020. socialblade.com.
  9. Web site: December 23, 2020. How Arif Zahir Went From YouTube To 'Family Guy'. December 24, 2020. www.backstage.com. en.
  10. Web site: Hale. James. September 28, 2020. YouTuber Arif Zahir To Voice Cleveland Brown On 'Family Guy'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201014100939/https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/09/28/arif-zahir-cleveland-brown-family-guy/ . October 14, 2020 . October 1, 2020. tubefilter.
  11. Web site: YouTuber Arif Zahir is the new voice of Cleveland on Family Guy. October 1, 2020. News. September 27, 2020 . en-us.
  12. Web site: May 29, 2018. Watch: This is Wakanda — A hilarious Black Panther parody of Childish Gambino's powerful music video. December 1, 2020. Firstpost.
  13. Web site: Arif Zahir Breaks Out as the New Cleveland Brown on 'Family Guy'. November 10, 2020. Animation World Network. en.
  14. Web site: September 25, 2020. Family Guy and The Simpsons Recast Major Black Characters. December 16, 2020. IGN Southeast Asia. en-sg.
  15. Web site: Young. Julius. September 25, 2020. 'Family Guy's Cleveland Brown to be voiced by YouTube star Arif Zahir. September 25, 2020. Fox News. en-US.
  16. News: Itzkoff. Dave. September 25, 2020. Cleveland on 'Family Guy' to Be Voiced by Arif Zahir. en-US. The New York Times. September 25, 2020. 0362-4331.
  17. Web site: September 25, 2020. Arif Zahir Replaces Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown on Family Guy. September 26, 2020. ComingSoon.net. en-US.
  18. Web site: May 21, 2018. How Black Panther Should Have Ended. November 25, 2020. ScreenRant. en-US.
  19. Web site: October 19, 2020. Spotlight on Arif Zahir: Unconventional Ways To Land An Acting Gig. December 1, 2020. forCreators.com. en-US.
  20. Web site: 4rif's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats . September 25, 2020 . socialblade.com.
  21. Web site: April 29, 2020. Dlnqnt and 4rif Drop "Go Gadget / Blues CLues" EP. December 1, 2020. Show Out Hip-Hop. en. October 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211025230719/https://www.showouthiphop.com/post/dlnqnt-and-4rif-drop-go-gadget--blues-clues-ep. dead.
  22. Web site: Leah Asmelash. Mike Henry will no longer voice Cleveland on 'Family Guy'. September 26, 2020. CNN. June 27, 2020 .
  23. Web site: Everyone But Me Narrative Music Video (feat. Azerrz) – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. May 29, 2017 .
  24. Web site: G.P.A. Official Trailer – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. April 27, 2018 .
  25. Web site: G.P.A. Episode 1 "The Team" – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. May 4, 2018 .
  26. Web site: G.P.A. Episode 2 "The Plan" – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. May 4, 2018 .
  27. Web site: G.P.A. Episode 3 "The Heist" – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. May 4, 2018 .
  28. Web site: G.P.A. Episode 4 "The End?" – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. May 4, 2018 .
  29. Web site: How Black Panther Should Have Ended – Animated Parody – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. May 17, 2018 .
  30. Web site: How Avengers Infinity War Should Have Ended – Animated Parody – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. June 28, 2018 .
  31. Web site: HISHE Dubs – Avengers Infinity War (Comedy Recap) – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. April 18, 2019 .
  32. Web site: New YouTube show, "Party Chat," is "The League meets Call of Duty: Warzone" Marijuanapy The World News. September 26, 2020. en-US.
  33. Web site: "Babe Blocked Me!" (Party Chat – Episode 1) – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. July 10, 2020 .
  34. News: Duwe. Scott. July 13, 2020. New YouTube show, "Party Chat," is "The League meets Call of Duty: Warzone". September 26, 2020. Dot Esports. en-US.
  35. Web site: Azerrz Episodes . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111194616/https://www.venn.tv/azerrz/ . November 11, 2020 . December 16, 2020. www.venn.tv. en-US.
  36. Web site: Voice Impressions with Azerrz + WWE Superstar Zelina Vega Throw Down VENN Arcade Live Episode 11 – YouTube. December 16, 2020. www.youtube.com. August 28, 2020 .
  37. Web site: Jensen. Erin. 'Family Guy': Arif Zahir takes over Cleveland Brown role from white actor Mike Henry. September 26, 2020. USA Today. en-US.
  38. Web site: 'Family Guy' Taps Arif Zahir As The New Voice Of Cleveland Brown. September 26, 2020. shadowandact.com. en.
  39. Web site: September 25, 2020. Voice Artists Of Color Join Casts Of 'The Simpsons' And 'Family Guy,' Replacing White Actors. September 26, 2020. Cartoon Brew. en-US.
  40. Web site: 'Family Guy' finds new voice for Cleveland Brown in YouTuber Arif Zahir. September 26, 2020. wusa9.com. September 25, 2020 . en-US.
  41. Web site: Leah. Asmelash. 'Family Guy' finds a new voice for Cleveland Brown in YouTuber Arif Zahir, known for his voice impressions. September 26, 2020. Jackson Progress-Argus. en. September 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200928054821/https://www.jacksonprogress-argus.com/entertainment/family-guy-finds-a-new-voice-for-cleveland-brown-in-youtuber-arif-zahir-known-for/article_e0f2ae76-ee2e-52a0-8558-2051148b552c.html. dead.
  42. Web site: Family Guy Casts Arif Zahir as Its New Cleveland. September 26, 2020. TV Shows. en.
  43. Web site: Leah Asmelash . 'Family Guy' finds new voice for Cleveland Brown . September 25, 2020 . CNN. September 25, 2020 .
  44. Web site: Haring. Bruce. June 26, 2020. 'Family Guy' Voice Actor Mike Henry Stepping Down From 'Cleveland Brown' Role. September 26, 2020. Deadline. en-US.
  45. Web site: Rocky – Animated Series – Trailer! – YouTube. December 20, 2020. www.youtube.com.
  46. Web site: December 5, 2018. Lokl Yokl – Down the Line. February 3, 2021. www.youtube.com.
  47. Web site: May 11, 2018. Joe Thomas Carter – Drunk With You Ft. Arif (Official Music Video). February 3, 2021. www.youtube.com.
  48. Web site: April 15, 2019. 4rif – August (Official Music Video). February 3, 2021. www.youtube.com.
  49. Web site: May 10, 2019. Joe Thomas Carter – Gimme Ya Lovin' Ft. 4RIF (Official Music Video). February 3, 2021. www.youtube.com.
  50. Web site: February 14, 2020. 4rif – At Last Sight/Kids (Official Music Video). February 3, 2021. www.youtube.com.
  51. Web site: December 6, 2020. 4rif – The Window (Official Music Video). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210216053323/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=QsVfeNcoQ_w . February 16, 2021 . February 3, 2021. www.youtube.com.
  52. Web site: Vandergast. Amelia. April 29, 2020. DLNQNT & 4rif are due to drop their smooth grooving feat of Hip Hop "Go Gadget". September 26, 2020. A&R Factory. en-GB.
  53. Web site: December 10–11, 2020. "@Azerrz where's the next album/EP bro? I'm listening to roses and I'm getting hype for the next release!" "2021". December 19, 2020. Twitter.
  54. Web site: Zahir. Arif. September 10, 2021. leaks_8.10.21. live. YouTube. https://web.archive.org/web/20211223063800/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfRzKj9tNUk . December 23, 2021 .
  55. Web site: May 4, 2020. DLNQNT & 4rif Release New 2-Track EP. December 1, 2020. OnThaRizeMag. en-US.
  56. Web site: Hope County (feat. Azerrz & Legiqn) by NerdOut. December 1, 2020. Apple Music. en-ca.
  57. Web site: Gimme Ya Lovin': Christina Xing's homage to Chaplin for Joe Thomas Carter's new music video. December 1, 2020. www.adolescent.net.

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