Persian-American pop artist SHAB is stepping into her power with ‘Catch Me If You Can’, an infectious new dance-pop single that celebrates independence, confidence and the thrill of the chase. Alongside the exclusive music video premiere for 1883 Magazine, SHAB has answered a few questions on music, identity and what’s next.

Produced by GRAMMY-winning songwriter and producer Damon Sharpe, whose credits include Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez and Kylie Minogue, the track pairs pulsating beats with seductive melodies and playful lyrics. The result is a dance-floor-ready anthem that captures the excitement of attraction while making one thing clear: SHAB is playing by her own rules.

“‘Catch Me If You Can’ is exactly where my head is at right now. I’m done asking permission to be me,” SHAB shares. “I know what I bring, and I’m not chasing anybody to prove it.”

That fearless attitude carries into the accompanying music video, filmed in greater Los Angeles. Set against a go-kart racing venue, the visuals see SHAB take the wheel, surrounded by neon lights, racing-inspired looks and high-energy choreography. Flirtatious exchanges and playful competition bring the single’s spirit to life, turning the track’s central chase into a vibrant visual spectacle.

For SHAB, however, confidence is about more than a catchy hook. Having escaped Tehran as a child and arrived in America at fourteen with a single suitcase, her journey has shaped both her identity and her artistic perspective. Blending global pop with subtle Persian influences, she has built a sound that reflects freedom, resilience and self-discovery.

Her momentum continues to grow, following the success of singles including ‘Perfume’ and ‘Best Of All Time’. With ‘Catch Me If You Can’, SHAB embraces a bolder, more playful chapter, encouraging listeners to own their individuality without apology.

“I want people to blast this song and walk into the room as if they own it,” she says. “That’s the whole point.”

Watch the exclusive premiere of ‘Catch Me If You Can’ and discover SHAB’s latest chapter, as she opens up to 1883 Magazine about the music and more.

‘Catch Me If You Can’ is your new single and music video. What inspired the song, and what does it represent for you at this point in your life and career?

When a woman realizes that she no longer needs to chase anything, not love, not validation, not someone else’s idea of success, that realization is powerful. And that’s the spirit behind ‘Catch Me If You Can’. The song is playful, flirtatious, a little mischievous and unapologetically confident.

I love the idea of turning the traditional romance narrative upside down. Why should a woman always be the one waiting to be chosen? Why can’t she be the one setting the pace and making the rules, while enjoying life fabulously along the way?

Today I feel more comfortable in my own skin than ever before. I’ve lived through experiences that could have broken me, but instead they’ve inspired me to embrace life with even more passion and determination. My earlier music often explored survival, resilience and finding my voice, themes that will always be part of me. But now I’m also celebrating the sheer joy of living the life I’ve chosen.

The visuals and styling are such a big part of an artist’s identity. What was the vision behind the ‘Catch Me If You Can’ music video, and how did you want the fashion and visuals to complement the track?

Fashion has always been another language for me. Before I even sing a note, what I’m wearing tells you something about my mood, my personality and the story I’m about to share. With ‘Catch Me If You Can’, I wanted the visual world to capture the same mix of confidence, glamour, femininity and playful rebellion that you hear in the music. There’s something deliciously empowering about a woman who can be glamorous and strong, seductive and independent, all at the same time.

Somewhere along the line, somebody sold our culture the idea that femininity and strength are opposites. But there’s enormous power in embracing every dimension of being a woman. I love beautiful clothes, dramatic silhouettes, fabulous hair and a little theatre in my persona.

For the video, the most important thing my stylist and very good friend, Nadia Vlasova, and I agreed on was that the imagery should reflect a woman who is completely in command of her own story. She isn’t dressing for anyone else’s approval. She’s expressing herself and enjoying it, while keeping everyone guessing about what comes next.

Your Persian heritage is an important part of who you are, and it also influences your sound. Are there particular elements of Iranian culture that you find yourself returning to creatively, whether in your music, visuals or personal style?

Being Persian is the very fabric of who I am. It isn’t something I consciously put on when I walk into a recording studio. It shapes my heart, my instincts, my emotions and the way I experience the world.

Persian culture has such an extraordinary appreciation for poetry, music, beauty and storytelling. I grew up surrounded by a tradition where emotions are expressed with tremendous passion, and that has stayed with me throughout my life.

I’m particularly drawn to the haunting melodies and emotional intensity of Persian music. There’s often a beautiful, exotic sense of longing, romance and drama that’s irresistible. Even when I’m creating contemporary dance-pop, those influences find their way into the melodies, rhythms or atmosphere of a track.

I live between two cultures, Persian and American, both filled with women of extraordinary intelligence, courage, creativity and determination. I’m enormously proud to be Persian, and equally proud to be American. By reflecting both worlds, I want to honor my origins while creating something universal that speaks to people everywhere.

Your journey from Iran to building a life and career in the US is a significant part of your story. How has that experience shaped the artist you are today, and what do you hope people take away from your music?

When you arrive in a new country as a young girl with one suitcase, not speaking the language and not knowing what your future will look like, you learn a couple of important life lessons.

First, nothing should ever be taken for granted or assumed to be permanent. Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s finding the strength to keep moving forward in the face of fear.

Second, and just as important, your current circumstances don’t have to determine your destiny.

Leaving Iran and beginning a new life, first in Europe and then permanently in America, shaped me in ways I’m still discovering. There were moments of tremendous uncertainty, loneliness and struggle, but underneath it all, there was always hope. America represented the possibility of reinventing myself, of dreaming without limits, and eventually of finding my own voice.

That’s why my album “One Suitcase” was so deeply personal. It wasn’t simply a collection of songs. It was an expression of the journey from displacement and uncertainty toward independence and self-discovery. Today, when I step onto a stage, I carry that young girl with her one suitcase inside me. I never forget where I started, and I never forget how many people around the world are still searching for the opportunities and freedoms that so many of us take for granted.

But I also want my music to be filled with joy. As a mother, my instincts make me want my listeners and fans to understand my story through the lens of what’s possible. If there’s one message I hope people take away from my music, it’s that your past can shape you without defining you.

You can experience hardship and still choose happiness. You can lose your sense of home and eventually create a new one. And you can begin with almost nothing and still build a life filled with love, purpose and beautiful possibilities.

Finally, what would you like to manifest for your career in 2027?

You raised the idea of manifesting, which I think most people take to mean that your dreams can come true if you just focus your mind on a goal. Good luck with that!

I would argue that faith without work, or aspiration without effort, is a losing proposition. My own luck and achievements have been directly proportional to the effort, planning and resources I’ve put toward my goals.

I believe very strongly in setting goals, as well as in dreaming big. After everything I’ve experienced in my life, I’ve learned that the most extraordinary things often begin as possibilities that other people might consider completely unrealistic.

I’d absolutely love to spend more time performing internationally. There’s something magical about standing on a stage thousands of miles from home and hearing people sing your songs back to you. Music has this extraordinary ability to dissolve borders and bring complete strangers together, and that’s especially meaningful to someone with my background.

I’d also love to collaborate with more extraordinary artists, explore new musical influences and keep creating visuals that are as ambitious and exciting as the songs themselves.

But beyond the professional milestones, what I really want is impact. I want my music to reach women, particularly those who have experienced displacement or adversity, and remind them of their own strength. I want young women to see my journey as a life lesson and understand that their beginnings don’t have to limit their futures.

Of course, I wouldn’t object to a few more hit records, some fabulous performances and an excuse to wear even more outrageous outfits. But ultimately, my wish for 2027 is quite simple: more life, more love, more liberty, more laughter and more opportunities to make people feel wonderful about themselves.

Life is great. Celebrate it.