In this Studio talk, Iranian musician and composer Mohsen Namjoo takes listeners on a rhythmic journey across Iran and Afghanistan, exploring how the pulse of language and poetry shapes the music of a culture. From the early Khorasani style of Persian verse to Kurdish and Lori folk melodies, Namjoo reveals the hidden mathematical and emotional patterns that connect regional songs across centuries. Through live examples and reflection, he shows how rhythm is more than tempo; it is the DNA of collective memory, carrying fragments of history, language, and identity that long predate modern music theory. Mohsen Namjoo is an Iranian singer, composer, and musician often described as “the Bob Dylan of Iran.” Blending Persian poetry and folk melodies with blues and rock, he has become a defining voice of contemporary Iranian music. Born in Torbat-e Jam and raised in Mashhad, Namjoo studied classical Persian music before attending Tehran University of Art. His debut album Toranj introduced a daring fusion of tradition and experimentation that reshaped Iran’s musical landscape. Now based abroad, he continues to perform internationally, exploring themes of identity, exile, and freedom through albums like 13/8, Trust the Tangerine Peel, and Phantasm. Beyond music, he has lectured at Stanford and Brown University, inspiring audiences worldwide to rethink the boundaries of culture and sound. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx