**Rostam Batmanglij** (born November 28, 1983) is a Grammy Award–winning musician and producer born to Iranian refugee parents in Washington, DC.[2] He studied classical music at Columbia University, where he co-founded the indie rock band Vampire Weekend in 2006, serving as keyboardist, guitarist, and producer for their first three albums before departing in 2016.[2][4] Rostam has become one of music's most sought-after producers, crafting work for Frank Ocean's *Blonde*, Solange's *A Seat at the Table*, and collaborating with Charli XCX, Carly Rae Jepsen, and HAIM.[2][5] His 2017 solo debut *Half-Light*, a kaleidoscopic blend of baroque chamber music and contemporary pop, showcased his distinctive artistic vision.[2][3] Known as "pop's secret ingredient," Rostam seamlessly merges classical training with modern production techniques, earning critical acclaim across multiple genres and establishing himself as a defining creative force in contemporary music.[6]