Arut Fargo: The Musical Journey from Armenia to Global Influence

Arutiun Tamanian, widely recognized as Arut Fargo, is a compelling testament to the transformative power of relentless passion, unyielding determination, and the adaptive embrace of emerging technologies. His journey from his humble beginnings in a small Armenian town to becoming an influential producer for A-list artists highlights his capability to surpass expectations and carve out a distinctive path. Despite contending with familial pressures and societal norms, Tamanian has ceaselessly pursued his dreams, establishing himself as a formidable figure in the music industry.

Numerous collaborations and notable milestones marked Arut Fargo’s journey to international recognition in the music industry. After making a name for himself in the Eastern music scene, he ventured into the Western market, where he worked with several prominent artists, gradually establishing his unique footprint.

Fargo’s crucial role in the success of Rosa Linn’s chart-topping song “SNAP” deserves its rightful attention. Released in 2022/2023, the song immediately took the music scene by storm, boasting over a billion streams across all platforms and proving Rosa Linn’s significant influence in the American music market.

The song, which showcased Rosa Linn’s extraordinary vocal prowess and catchy, thought-provoking lyrics, was a success story in its own right. However, the song’s impact was elevated even further when Arutiun Tamanian, recognized for his impeccable taste and unique style in music production, was entrusted by Columbia Records to create the song’s official remix.

Fargo’s version of “SNAP” was a testament to his understanding of music, infusing new energy and dynamics into the original hit. His ability to retain the essence of Rosa Linn’s song while adding his signature touch of electronic beats and rhythms made the remix stand out. The music world noticed, and the “SNAP” remix quickly amassed over 20 million views, cementing Tamanian’s position among the world’s top music producers.

Arutiun’s love for music began early, thanks to his father’s choice of car tunes—Michael Jackson. The King of Pop’s infectious melodies and rhythmic masterpieces stirred something within him, laying the foundation for his future endeavors. During his teenage years, a serendipitous encounter with Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body” on television sparked a fire within Arutiun. Determined to create music that could evoke similar emotions, he studied the craft.

In a few short days of dedicated research, Arutiun discovered that the hit track, along with numerous other chart-toppers of the time, was produced and written by the legendary duo, The Neptunes. This realization marked a turning point in his life, as he found inspiration in their music and journey as successful producers. Arutiun’s admiration for The Neptunes became a driving force that fueled his ambitions for years to come, and his story resonates with countless aspiring producers.

Born and raised in the scenic town of Dilijan, Arutiun’s family eventually decided to relocate to Moscow, which would prove instrumental in shaping his musical career. Arutiun has etched his name among industry heavyweights such as DJ Khaled, Future, Miguel, Lil Baby, and Kid Ink two decades later, leaving a distinctive mark on the Eastern European and international music scenes. 

Mr. Tamamian’s work on famous Russian singer Zivert’s single “Life” undoubtedly marked a pivotal point in both Fargo’s and Zivert’s careers, propelling them onto the global stage. The track was a resounding success, claiming the number-one spot on Apple Music charts in Russia and Ukraine, among others. The music video amassed over 250 million views on YouTube alone, not accounting for the millions of spins on VKontakte and radio stations across Eastern Europe. 

While on the popular TV show “Star Factory,” Fargo formed an association with a group of songwriters destined to contribute to the Zivert project. Their joint endeavor was to orchestrate a track infused with an R’n’B vibe but one that could profoundly resonate with the Russian audience. Amid this creative process, Fargo authored the captivating chorus of “Life,” which would later become a sensation among millions. While initial reservations were held about the track’s strong inclination towards pop, Fargo’s astute musical discernment ultimately took precedence. The results far exceeded all anticipations upon the track’s release.

“Life” dominated the airwaves and marked a major turning point for Zivert. From being a relatively unknown artist, she was catapulted into the realm of top-tier stars. In addition to its massive commercial success, “Life” earned critical acclaim. It secured a prestigious award in Russia, further underscoring its significant cultural impact. The track’s popularity transcended geographical boundaries and resonated with listeners across Eastern Europe and worldwide. 

On the other hand, Fargo began to attract attention from industry insiders, and more high-profile artists began to approach him for his services as a musician, composer, and sound producer.

Mr. Tamamian’s success can be attributed to his ability to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of the music industry. Embracing the power of social networking tools, particularly Instagram, he recognized their potential early on, leveraging them to showcase his work and connect with like-minded individuals. Through strategic content creation and building a robust online presence, Arutiun carved a niche, earning recognition and establishing his brand even before social media became mainstream.

An essential element of Arutiun Tamanian’s journey is his proficiency in assembling and managing a team of talented individuals who share his vision. Spread across Eastern Europe – in Armenia, Russia, and Ukraine – while he operates from Los Angeles, his team harnesses the power of remote work and effective communication to steer their production company toward remarkable success. His management skills and keen understanding of working across different time zones enable seamless collaboration and guarantee the smooth execution of projects.

One of the most striking examples of the success of Fargo’s approach is the creation of the song “Funeral” for Grammy-award-winning artist Miguel. Even though he and his colleagues were not in the same room during production, Arutiun, through online collaboration, created a pulsating bass line that became the song’s heart. Remarkably, this track for the American R&B superstar was made in Armenia, specifically in Yerevan. It’s a testament to how he pushes boundaries and changes the global landscape of the music industry by creating distributed teams and innovatively orchestrating business.

Another case in point is the song by LP, which went viral and garnered over 80 million views on YouTube. The track was produced by Fargo in Los Angeles, while the rest of the team was based in Moscow, Russia. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of his approach to remote work, proving that geographical barriers are no hindrance to creating music that resonates with millions of listeners worldwide.

Arutiin plays a critical role in the music industry’s evolution by building these successful projects. He sets global trends and fosters an environment that facilitates collaboration from all corners of the world, highlighting the immense potential of remote work and the power of effective team management.

In an industry often plagued by cutthroat competition, Fargo holds a unique perspective. He firmly believes that creativity knows no boundaries or rivals. Instead, he identifies the saturation of content as the primary obstacle.

© 2023, Seth “Digital Crates” Barmash. All rights reserved.