For more than five decades, Hussein Shokh-keman, known by his artistic name “Ze-Ze,” dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Kurdish folk music. Through his powerful voice, traditional instruments, and deep connection with Kurdish culture, he became one of the most respected figures in the folklore scene of Kurdistan.
Born in 1938 in the city of Saqqez, Ze-Ze was the son of Mirza Shukrullah and Kafia Khanum. He grew up in a family with a strong connection to music and art. His brother Ali, who was already active in the artistic field, recognized Hussein’s exceptional voice and talent for playing the Zarb (traditional drum) and encouraged him to pursue a career in music.
In his early years, Ze-Ze worked as an apprentice in a coffee shop in Saqqez, but his passion for music soon led him toward the artistic world. He began performing alongside renowned musicians, playing instruments such as the Balaban and Zurna, and later became part of a group that included artists such as Aziz Najafi, Hussein Walidi, Mina Souzani, Ahmad Salihi, and Ali Shokh-keman. This collaboration eventually became known as the “Ze-Ze Brothers,” a group that gained widespread popularity and left a lasting mark on Kurdish folklore.
Throughout his career, Ze-Ze recorded dozens of Kurdish folk songs, many of which remain popular today. Despite the simplicity of the instruments used in his recordings, including the Zarb and Naya, his performances carried deep cultural meaning and helped preserve traditional songs, particularly those from the Saqqez region.
He recorded 64 songs for Sanandaj and Urmia radio stations and appeared frequently on Iranian television’s Kurdish programming. He also collaborated with well-known musicians, including Aziz Sharokh and Muhammad Yasini, while working with respected instrumentalists such as Tofiq Tar-zhan and Musayib Shadabi.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Ze-Ze was remembered for his close relationship with ordinary people and fellow musicians. He maintained friendships with many artists of his generation, including the legendary Kurdish singer Hassan Zirak. Ze-Ze often recalled that Hassan Zirak attended his wedding and performed during the celebration.
In the later years of his life, Ze-Ze was invited several times to Canada, where he performed concerts and renewed some of his classic songs for new audiences.
Hussein “Ze-Ze” Shokh-keman passed away on November 24, 2015, at the age of 77. His legacy continues through the songs he preserved and the generations of Kurdish artists inspired by his lifelong devotion to folk music.
