Mamak Khadem

Studio 360

Iranian-born singer Mamak Khadem moved to Los Angeles in 1977, two years before the Islamic revolution. Today the Persian community in Southern California numbers nearly 600,000 people. Mamak takes Kurt on a walk along Westwood Boulevard, the commercial heart of “Tehran-geles,” to her favorite record store, The Music Box.

Will you support The World?

The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?