Xefer Rahman
জেফার রহমান
Rahman in 2024
Born (1999-03-12) 12 March 1999 (age 26)
NationalityBangladeshi
Occupation(s)singer, actress

Xefer Rahman (Bengali: জেফার রহমান; born March 11 or 12, 1999) is a Bangladeshi singer, songwriter, actress, and YouTuber. Known mononymously as Xefer, she gained prominence for her fusion of Bangla folk, pop, hip hop, and electronic music. She is considered a rising star in Bangladesh’s alternative music scene.

Early life

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Xefer was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She began singing at a young age and gained a following in her teenage years by uploading English-language covers of Western songs to YouTube and Facebook.[1] Her musical influences include Paramore, Jessie J, and Evanescence.

Career

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Music

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Xefer released her debut single, "Judge", in 2016.[2] In 2017, she released her debut album, "Uncaged", which mixed electronic beats with soulful vocals.[1]

She gained mainstream popularity with the 2023 release of "Jhumka", a collaboration with Bangladeshi-American producer MUZA.[3] The song blended Bangla lyrics with a trap-pop beat and went viral on digital platforms.

In January 2024, she collaborated again with MUZA and producer Sanjoy for the single "Arale Harale", which incorporated Afrobeat, Amapiano, Bangla folk, and EDM elements. The music video was filmed in Los Angeles and featured choreography by international dancers.[4]

She also collaborated with Arekta Rock Band and Riasat Azmi on the track "Ojana", a retropop single that was featured on the BBC Asian Network playlist.[5]

Xefer’s other popular tracks include "Nei Proyojon", "Harbo Na", and "Bayam Pakhi 2.0", the latter released as part of the soundtrack to the web series "Myself Allen Swapan 2".[6]

She has also addressed humanitarian issues in her music. In 2017, she released the English-language protest track "Rohingyas Cry" to bring awareness to the Rohingya refugee crisis.[7]

Acting

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Xefer made her acting debut in the Chorki original film "Monogamy", directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. She played the lead role opposite actor Chanchal Chowdhury.[3]

She also appeared in the second season of the hit web series "Myself Allen Swapan", where she contributed both acting and vocals for the show’s music.[6]

International appearances

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In February 2023, Xefer walked the red carpet at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.[3] She has also participated in BBC World Service’s “Music Life” podcast, sharing insights on creativity and gender in South Asian music.[2]

Musical style

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Xefer is known for blending Western pop, R&B, EDM, and Bangla folk into her music. She is often praised for her fashion-forward image and conceptual music videos. Her sound has evolved from English acoustic pop to a modern fusion of electronic and regional elements.[1][6]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Uncaged (2017)

Selected singles

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  • Judge (2016)
  • Nei Proyojon
  • Harbo Na
  • Jhumka (with MUZA, 2023)
  • Ojana (with Arekta Rock Band and Riasat Azmi, 2021)
  • Arale Harale (with MUZA and Sanjoy, 2024)
  • Bayam Pakhi 2.0 (2025)
  • Rohingyas Cry (2017)

Filmography

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  • Monogamy (2024)
  • Myself Allen Swapan 2 (2025)

References

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  1. ^ a b c Chowdhury, Sarah (July 13, 2019). "Singer Xefer: Tashfee on singles & melodies". The Daily Star. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b "How Bangladesh's pop stars are mixing music and gender". BBC World Service. April 30, 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Xefer". Wikipedia. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Arale Harale: Xefer, MUZA and Sanjoy drop new party anthem". The Daily Star. January 8, 2024. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  5. ^ "How Xefer and Riasat came together for Ojana". The Business Standard. November 28, 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  6. ^ a b c "Mainstream Xefer". The Daily Star. July 19, 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Xefer sings for Rohingyas". Prothom Alo. September 18, 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2025.