Senadee - Background

Background

Verdi was born in Tehran, Iran two years after The Iranian Revolution on 13 December 1981. His family left the country sometime around the mid-1980s to pursue a life in the United Kingdom. After spending around 8 months in Paris, the family moved to the South-East London suburb of Thamesmead. It was here on the Maran Way estate that Sena spent most of his formative childhood years.

In 1994, Verdi's family relocated from Thamesmead to the contrasting suburbs of Chorleywood, Hertfordshire. He attended St. Clement Danes school and it was here that his interest in music was born. Drawing inspiration from bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, The Stone Roses, Radiohead and U2, Verdi's musical interest always lay in the works of "bands with big ideas". A trait which is certainly evident in his own music. Unable to pay for music tuition fees, Verdi opted to become a self-taught musician. By the age of 15 he had acquired the skills and disciplines to play Guitar by ear, and within a couple or years had translated his understanding of fundamental Diatonic Theory to become a proficient Pianist.

Verdi's love of rock music led him to enroll in a music college where he would eventually play guitar and become the principal songwriter for Watford based rock/pop outfit Paraya (Later reforming as The Toys). After writing and producing the debut-album, Verdi landed the group a management deal. He left the band in May 2004 to pursue a career as a producer/songwriter.

Over the next couple of years Verdi would work with various artists within the fields of Hip-Hop and R&B including D-Boy and Mobo Award winning Rapper Akala as both a producer, writer and instrumentalist. It was at this time that Verdi's first foray into the world of hip hop materialized. Along with his cousin, he set up Neopolitcal rap group Persian Princes. The group went on to produce and record a debut album, performing at various shows and urban events. They received wide press coverage in 2006 as a result of a particular song performed and produced by Verdi. The song was a tribute inspired by the passing of a death sentence of a young Iranian girl called Nazanin Fatehi who was condemned for killing a would-be rapist in self-defence. Verdi's involvement in the release of this song gained press coverage around the world with appearances on CNN, and in-depth political debates, interviews and airplay on several BBC radio stations. Eventually, under increasing global pressure, the authorities conceded and Nazanin was awarded a pardon which saved her life.

Alongside his production duties in Hip-Hop and R&B, Verdi was involved in a sideline bedroom project that was to form the basis for his career as 'Senadee'.