Janan Sawa

Janan Sawa is a renowned Assyrian musician, born in 1956 in Dohuk, Iraq. He began his singing career at the age of 17 in 1972. After spending four years in the Iraqi army from 1974 to 1978, Janan's father arranged for him to marry. However, in 1980, he fled Iraq and moved to Greece for two years before finally settling in the United States in 1982, where he has since resided.

Upon arriving in the US, Janan worked as a taxi driver for two years before being hired to perform nightly at a restaurant in 1984. In 1985, he released his first studio album, titled "Nohadra," which is the Assyrian name for his hometown of Dohuk. The album's first single, "Chokhe," became extremely popular at Assyrian parties.

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Janan has acknowledged the influence of Turkish music on his style. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including displacement from his homeland and struggles to establish himself in a new country, Janan has persevered and established himself as a prominent Assyrian musician.