Arif Zahir

Arif Zahir Lopes-Thrower (born April 15, 1994) is an American actor, rapper, singer, songwriter, voice impressionist, and internet personality also known by his online alias Azerrz and his stage name 4rif.[4][5] His channel features voice impressions of a plethora of celebrities and cartoon characters and he has 6+ million subscribers.[6][7][8] He is most notable for voicing Cleveland Brown on Family Guy after Mike Henry stepped down.[9][10][11][12]

Arif Zahir
Born
Arif Zahir Lopes-Thrower[1]

(1994-04-15) April 15, 1994[2]
Berkeley, California, U.S.
Other namesAzerrz • 4rif
Alma materHussian College (dropped out)[3]
OccupationActor • rapper • singer • songwriter • voice impressionist • internet personality
Years active2007–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
YouTube information
Channels
Years active2007–present
Genre
Subscribers
  • 6.64 million (Azerrz)
  • 172K (4rif)
Total views
  • 696.7 million (Azerrz)
  • 6 million (4rif)
100,000 subscribers 2015 (Azerrz) • 2019 (4rif)
1,000,000 subscribers 2017 (Azerrz)
Updated: February 2, 2021

Early life and education

Zahir is an African-American of 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.[13]

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 He originally made a YouTube channel in 2007 which focused on performing magic tricks.[14] After doing so and finding success he started attending Hussian College's campus in Los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.[15]

Career

Zahir created his YouTube channel in 2012 but posted his first video in 2013.[4][16] He started out by posting comedic sketches, gaming videos, and videos of himself performing voice impressions of both cartoon characters and real celebrities.[9][17][18] Zahir garnered initial success through his voice impressions which he started doing in 2011.[19][20][21] One of the first voices Zahir did was of Cleveland Brown who he would go on to voice several years later.[22][23][24]

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.[25] 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.[26]

He is also a rapper and singer and releases music under the moniker 4rif. He released his debut album At Last Sight on August 30, 2019.[27] He followed it up with an EP called Go Gadget/Blues Clues which was released on April 29, 2020, in collaboration with rapper DLNQNT.[28]

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.[29][30][31] On September 25, 2020, it was announced that Zahir would be voicing Cleveland starting in Season 20 of Family Guy.[32][33][34][35]

Filmography

Film roles
Year Title Role Notes
2014 No One But Lydia Arif Short film; credited as Arif Lopes
2016 Eraser Death Short film; credited as Arif Lopes
The Invisible Shadow The Bagged Man Short film; credited as Arif Lopes
2017 Everyone But Me Andre[36] Short film
Hues and Hidden Kings A Hidden King Short film
2019 The Golden Realm: An American Larping Experience Peter, Kalthor Short film

Television roles
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Cliffhanger Ted 3 episodes
2018 G.P.A. Xander Holland[37] 4 episodes[38][39][40][41]
2018–present How It Should Have Ended[42] Black Panther / T'Challa 3 episodes; voice role[43][44][45]
2019 Internet Rich Himself 1 episode
2020 Party Chat[46] Arif[47] Web series; also producer[48]
2020 VENN: Arcade Live[49] Himself Episode "Voice Impressions with Azerrz + WWE Superstar Zelina Vega Throw Down"[50]
2020–present Family Guy[51][52][53] Cleveland Brown[54][55][56] Replaced Mike Henry after he stepped down[10][9][57]
2021 Rocky Clubber[58] Upcoming; voice role

Video game roles
Year Title Role Notes
2018 No Way Out – A Dead Realm Tale Edgar, William Huxley, librarian, Clown Voice roles

Music video roles
Year Song Artist Role Director
2018 Down the Line[59] Lokl Yokl The Bartender Ryan Rosenblum
Drunk With You[60] Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif Himself Zane Morrow
2019 August[61] 4rif Fowluh
Gimme Ya Lovin'[62][63] Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif Christina Xing
2020 At Last Sight/Kids[64] 4rif
The Window[65] Ryan Rosenblum

Discography

Albums
List of albums
Title Details
At Last Sight
  • Released: August 30, 2019[27]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays
List of extended plays
Title EP details
Go Gadget/Blues Clues (with DLNQNT)
  • Released: April 29, 2020[66]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
TBA
  • Releasing: 2021[67]
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist

Title Year Album
"August"[68] 2018 At Last Sight
"Summers End"[69] 2019 non-album single
"Wonderful Miracle"[70] At Last Sight
"Channel Lovely"[71]
"Go Gadget" (with DLNQNT)[72] 2020 Go Gadget/Blues Clues[73]
"Blues Clues" (with DLNQNT)[72]
"Favorite Girl"[74] TBA
"Ignore Me"[75] TBA
"Cafe in LA" TBA TBA

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist

Title Year Album
"Hope County" (NerdOut featuring 4rif and Legiqn)[76] 2018 Year 3
"Drunk With You" (Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif)[77] non-album single
"Gimme Ya Lovin'" (Joe Thomas Carter featuring 4rif)[62] 2019 non-album single
"G League" (DLNQNT featuring 4rif)[78] DZJNTD Vol. 1 – DNT PLY

References
  1. "VENN GUEST AZERRZ". www.venn.tv. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. Zahir, Arif (April 15, 2020). "Happy birthday babyyyy @Azerrz". Twitter. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  3. 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. "Azerrz's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  5. "4rif's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  6. Schneider, Michael (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' Casts YouTube Star Arif Zahir as the New Voice of Cleveland Brown". Variety. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  7. Moore, Camille (October 2, 2020). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Arif Zahir". TVOvermind. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  8. "Family Guy Finds New Cleveland Voice Actor with YouTube Star Arif Zahri". Collider. September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  9. Schneider, Michael; Schneider, Michael (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' Casts YouTube Star Arif Zahir as the New Voice of Cleveland Brown". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  10. CNN, Leah Asmelash. "'Family Guy' finds new voice for Cleveland Brown". CNN. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  11. "'Family Guy' casts YouTube star Arif Zahir as Cleveland Brown". NBC News. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  12. "YouTuber Arif Zahir Cast as Cleveland's New Voice on 'Family Guy'". TMZ. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  13. October 28, Phil PaleologosPublished; 2020. "New Bedford Native the New Voice of Cleveland Brown [PHIL-OSOPHY]". 1420 WBSM. Retrieved November 10, 2020.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. "Arif Lopes's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  15. 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.
  16. "How Arif Zahir Went From YouTube To 'Family Guy'". www.backstage.com. December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  17. Hale, James (September 28, 2020). "YouTuber Arif Zahir To Voice Cleveland Brown On 'Family Guy'". tubefilter. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  18. "YouTuber Arif Zahir is the new voice of Cleveland on Family Guy". News. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  19. "Watch: This is Wakanda — A hilarious Black Panther parody of Childish Gambino's powerful music video – Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. May 29, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  20. "Arif Zahir Breaks Out as the New Cleveland Brown on 'Family Guy'". Animation World Network. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  21. "Family Guy and The Simpsons Recast Major Black Characters". IGN Southeast Asia. September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  22. Young, Julius (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy's Cleveland Brown to be voiced by YouTube star Arif Zahir". Fox News. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  23. 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.
  24. "Arif Zahir Replaces Mike Henry as Cleveland Brown on Family Guy". ComingSoon.net. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  25. "How Black Panther Should Have Ended". ScreenRant. May 21, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  26. forCreators.com (October 19, 2020). "Spotlight on Arif Zahir: Unconventional Ways To Land An Acting Gig". forCreators.com – Create, Learn, Earn. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  27. At Last Sight by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
  28. HIP-HOP, SHOW OUT (April 29, 2020). "DLNQNT AND 4RIF DROP "GO GADGET/ BLUES CLUES" EP". Show Out Hip-Hop. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  29. "White Actor Who Voiced Black 'Family Guy' Character Steps Down". TMZ. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  30. CNN, Leah Asmelash. "Mike Henry will no longer voice Cleveland on 'Family Guy'". CNN. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  31. "5 White Voice Actors Who Gave Up Roles as Characters of Color (Photos)". TheWrap. September 25, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  32. Atad, Corey (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' Casts YouTuber Arif Zahir As The New Voice Of Cleveland". ET Canada. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  33. Celebretainment, By. "Family Guy finds a new Cleveland Brown: Arif Zahir to replace Mike Henry". Northwest 50 Plus. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  34. cnn (September 25, 2020). "'Family Guy' finds a new voice for Cleveland Brown in YouTuber Arif Zahir, known for his voice impressions". KESQ. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  35. "'Family Guy' Finds a New Voice for Cleveland Brown, But You Won't Hear Him This Season". /Film. September 27, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  36. "EVERYONE BUT ME | Narrative Music Video (feat. Azerrz) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  37. "G.P.A. Official Trailer – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  38. "G.P.A. Episode 1 | "The Team" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  39. "G.P.A. Episode 2 | "The Plan" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  40. "G.P.A. Episode 3 | "The Heist" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  41. "G.P.A. Episode 4 | "The End?" – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
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  44. "How Avengers Infinity War Should Have Ended – Animated Parody – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
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  46. "New YouTube show, "Party Chat," is "The League meets Call of Duty: Warzone" | | Marijuanapy The World News". Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  47. ""Babe Blocked Me!" (Party Chat – Episode 1) – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  48. Duwe, Scott (July 13, 2020). "New YouTube show, "Party Chat," is "The League meets Call of Duty: Warzone"". Dot Esports. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
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  51. Jensen, Erin. "'Family Guy': Arif Zahir takes over Cleveland Brown role from white actor Mike Henry". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  52. "'Family Guy' Taps Arif Zahir As The New Voice Of Cleveland Brown". shadowandact.com. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  53. "Voice Artists Of Color Join Casts Of 'The Simpsons' And 'Family Guy,' Replacing White Actors". Cartoon Brew. September 25, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
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  58. "ROCKY – Animated Series – Trailer! – YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  59. "Lokl Yokl – Down the Line". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  60. "Joe Thomas Carter – Drunk With You Ft. Arif (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  61. "4rif – August (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  62. "Gimme Ya Lovin': Christina Xing's homage to Chaplin for Joe Thomas Carter's new music video". www.adolescent.net. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  63. "Joe Thomas Carter – Gimme Ya Lovin' Ft. 4RIF (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  64. "4rif – At Last Sight/Kids (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  65. "4rif – The Window (Official Music Video)". www.youtube.com. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  66. 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.
  67. ""@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.
  68. August – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
  69. Summers End – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
  70. Wonderful Miracle – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
  71. Channel Lovely (Radio Version) – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
  72. Go Gadget/Blues Clues – Single by DLNQNT & 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
  73. "DLNQNT & 4rif Release New 2-Track EP". OnThaRizeMag. May 4, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  74. Favorite Girl – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
  75. Ignore Me – Single by 4rif, retrieved February 2, 2021
  76. "Hope County (feat. Azerrz & Legiqn) by NerdOut". Apple Music. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  77. Drunk With You (feat. Arif) – Single by Joe Thomas Carter, retrieved February 2, 2021
  78. G League (feat. 4rif) by DLNQNT, retrieved February 2, 2021
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