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Blending '70s soul and '80s funk with contemporary quirky pop, singer/songwriter Zarif has been described as the lighter, frothier alternative to <a href="spotify:artist:6Q192DXotxtaysaqNPy5yR">Amy Winehouse</a>. Born Zarif Davidson in Harrow, London to a Scottish father and Jewish Iranian mother, she grew up listening to <a href="spotify:artist:5a2EaR3hamoenG9rDuVn8j">Prince</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3fMbdgg4jU18AjLCKBhRSm">Michael Jackson</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:61UT1Zj9dFgPAjZfwnsqsb">Teena Marie</a>, started writing songs at the age of seven, and formed her first band, Girls of Tomorrow, while still at school. After graduating from University College London with a degree in Human Sciences, she became a backing singer for funk revivalists Retrogression and indie pop collective Scarlett's Well, while holding down various nine-to-five jobs. While performing at an open-mike night, she was spotted by a <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Sony+BMG%22">Sony BMG</a> talent scout, who offered her a deal with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22RCA%22">RCA</a> in 2007. Following support slots on <a href="spotify:artist:6MF9fzBmfXghAz953czmBC">Taio Cruz</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7bXgB6jMjp9ATFy66eO08Z">Chris Brown</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:6vWDO969PvNqNYHIOW5v0m">Beyoncé</a>'s U.K. tours, she sang with <a href="spotify:artist:5y2Xq6xcjJb2jVM54GHK3t">John Legend</a> at a London showcase, and released her debut single, "Let Me Back," in 2009. Due to various record company wranglings, she eventually released its parent album, Box of Secrets, independently through <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Bright+Pink+Records%22">Bright Pink Records</a> a year later. Zarif has also guested on albums by <a href="spotify:artist:7iczgrgAFILjQVGzLsUzbG">Danny Byrd</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:68Wb5Pcy71lLaKdIB6cBA5">Breakage</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:465IoLV7sBVtMQ3WJ756BL">the Nextmen</a>, and performed at Prince William's 21st birthday party. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi
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