In 2020, Israeli musician Or Golan stormed the international music scene when his smash hit single ‘I Am Greedy’ took over radio stations around the globe, racking up over 10,000 airplays worldwide. What made his sudden rise to global prominence even more extraordinary was the mountain of obstacles he overcame to get there.
Facing severe stuttering, FMF (Familial Mediterranean Fever), and fibromyalgia, Or Golan transformed his personal struggles into raw, boundary-breaking art, earning a spot on billboards in Times Square, radio play on BBC Radio, and over 1.5 million song sales worldwide.
However, behind the glittering success lay immense personal hardship. From a difficult childhood and inventing melodies without knowing how to read musical notes, to losing his life savings after his money was stolen through an Israeli copyright organisation (ACUM), Or Golan’s journey has been anything but smooth.
In this open and honest interview, we dive deep into his remarkable trajectory—covering his early beginnings, his mini-documentary, his Amazon bestselling book ‘Or Golan, the King Without the Crown’, his latest album ‘I Am Retro’, and his reflections on what the future holds.
Thank you so much for joining us again! It’s a pleasure to catch up after our last interview. Looking back, when did your journey into music first begin, and what inspired you to start making music?
“I made my first music at about 18, not really music, it was more of a process of ideas, really very basic composition. And it happened quite by accident, I always knew I would be famous, the question was what. And I made that start. At 23 I was already hugely famous, I had a real explosion of interviews and radio broadcasts all over the world, I performed in Times Square, I was played on BBC RADIO and it was a dream come true, like Britney Spears, how much I love her.”
Could you tell us about your latest album, ‘I Am Retro’, and how it relates to your recent mini-documentary and book?
“The latest album is called ‘I Am Retro’, with real songs, lyrics, melody, with a lot of inspiration from music that I like to listen to, pop, electronic, rock, ballads. This project came after I made the mini-documentary about my international career, which was a great success, and after I wrote a book about my life: ‘Or Golan, the King Without the Crown’, which was number one on Amazon for one week about all the diseases I have inside my body and my addiction to psychiatric pills and mental illnesses.”
Which artists or personal experiences inspired and influenced you during the creation of this project?
“I have always been an artist, I will be an artist until the grave, even if no one listens to me (I also made a music album about it :)) I always watch movies about art and creators, every creator, every artist I respect very much, of course Britney Spears has always been in my head since day one, I have been a huge fan for 11 years and until the grave I will be with her. Love is love. In Israel, the country where I live, I always look up to Dana International, the woman, the iconic singer who won Eurovision 98 with the song Diva. There is no woman like her in the whole world, she has a lot to teach everyone about what it means to be an artist with meaning, a career of more than 30 years and an artist who is more relevant than ever.”
What is your typical songwriting process like? How do your ideas usually come together?
“Very random, very influenced by my dreams at night. Something very cosmic and mythical. A song can appear in my dream that I can develop right away, and a sequence of sounds can get stuck in my head even from watching the news.
How would you describe the overall sound of ‘I Am Retro’, and how does it reflect where you are as an artist today?
“A good album, which didn't succeed, but it's okay, like the second song from the album ‘Here I Am’. This is me, without any masks, this is me.”
Is there a core theme or underlying message you hope listeners take away from this album?
“I think there is a message in everything, and I leave that to the listener, they are better at interpreting things than I am. I just present art.”
Looking ahead to the future, what are your hopes and aspirations for yourself, both personally and musically?
“I think this will be my last alignment, because I won't have any new publications. I enjoyed what I had, I was left with a huge scar, and that's life.”
Or Golan’s story stands as a poignant reminder of both the power of artistic expression and the sheer resilience required to navigate the highs and lows of the music industry. From overcoming health struggles to achieving world-renowned acclaim, his journey remains a testament to staying true to oneself regardless of the hurdles along the way.
Though he views this chapter as a turning point in his creative career, the impact of his music, book, and documentary will undoubtedly continue to resonate with fans around the world. We wish Or Golan all the best in health, peace, and whatever path he chooses to explore next.
Be sure to follow Or Golan on YouTube and Instagram to stay updated on his work
