By: Jessica Kenley
Los Angeles, AC (The Hollywood Times) 10/4/2026 – For Iranian pop star SHAB, freedom is not simply a theme for a song. It is something she has lived.
Her new single, “BEST OF ALL TIME,” takes a brighter, more playful approach than her deeply personal hit “ONE SUITCASE,” but the emotional roots are connected. “ONE SUITCASE” reflected SHAB’s journey of leaving Iran, rebuilding her life in America and carrying the memories and sacrifices that shaped her. Her new release looks outward, celebrating the freedom to embrace happiness, individuality and the people who make life meaningful.
“BEST OF ALL TIME is rooted from that same emotional mindset, but it looks outward rather than inward,” SHAB says. “The track celebrates freedom as the freedom to be fully yourself, to choose joy and to surround yourself with people who make you feel stronger.”
That perspective comes from a life marked by extraordinary change. SHAB left her homeland with one suitcase and eventually built a new life and career in the United States. The experience continues to inform her music, even when the songs are designed to make listeners dance.
“My experiences have taught me that joy is not something we should take for granted,” she says. “When you have experienced upheaval, fled from your homeland and had to begin again, freedom and happiness acquire a very deep meaning.”
That resilience is woven into “BEST OF ALL TIME,” which SHAB describes as a celebration not only of her own journey but also of the people who helped her along the way.
“None of us becomes strong entirely alone,” she says. “The song celebrates those friends, family members, and loved ones who remind us who we are when life becomes difficult—and who make the beautiful moments even more meaningful.”
Musically, SHAB continues to carry her Persian heritage with her while embracing her identity as a global pop artist. Persian influence, she says, is part of her “musical DNA,” sometimes appearing through instrumentation, melodies and rhythms, and sometimes simply through the emotion behind a song.
“I want the freedom to keep evolving as a global pop artist while always carrying my heritage with me,” she says.
The new track brings together an accomplished creative team, including GRAMMY-winning producer Damon Sharpe, British-American songwriter JHart and songwriter and pop artist Bonnie McKee. SHAB says each collaborator contributed something distinct, from McKee’s instinct for unforgettable pop lyrics to JHart’s emotional approach and Sharpe’s ability to blend her Persian influences with contemporary production.
The song’s visual world also reflects its central theme. Working with co-Creative Director Ricky Jackson, SHAB chose fashion designed to communicate “freedom, confidence, glamour and movement.”
“Fashion is another form of storytelling for me,” she says. “The looks are glamorous, but they are also playful and liberated—which is exactly how we wanted the video to feel.”
Away from the stage, SHAB says her greatest sources of gratitude are found in family, her partner Rob, her children, music and the people who have remained beside her throughout her journey. She says that having experienced how quickly circumstances can change has taught her to appreciate ordinary moments—from a shared meal or family errands to hearing her children laugh or walking onto a stage.
“Gratitude keeps me present, and choosing joy keeps me moving forward,” she says.
That same philosophy extends to her friendships, particularly with other women. SHAB values relationships built on honesty, loyalty, laughter and mutual support, saying she prefers “quality more than quantity” when it comes to the women in her life.
And while the title “BEST OF ALL TIME” might invite comparisons with everything she has released before, SHAB leaves that judgment to her audience.
“Every song that we release feels as if a new child—and each one represents a different time and emotion in my life,” she says. “But I do believe BEST OF ALL TIME is one of the most complete expressions of who I am right now.”
Perhaps most tellingly, SHAB says she hopes her connection with audiences goes beyond the glamour of pop stardom.
“I am still the same woman shaped by family, struggle, motherhood, immigration and gratitude,” she says. “I never want success to create a wall between me and my listeners.”
For an artist who once left Iran carrying one suitcase, that connection is part of the story. SHAB’s music may now reach audiences around the world, but the woman behind the music remains grounded in the experiences that brought her here.
“Authenticity is what makes a connection last,” she says.
