In 1988 the first Grammy Award for Hip Hop/Rap was awarded to Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff. CBS refused to air this segment on television stating that there was “no place for that music on a true music program.” Today Hip Hop/Rap can be seen everywhere from Compton to Sesame Street. Born 30+ years ago in the mean streets of New York, today Hip Hop or Rap can be found on every street corner of every city in the world.
Hip Hop’s appeal goes way beyond half naked girls dancing on top of fast sports cars in music videos. True Hip Hop is a way for oppressed people to make a sound and voice their concerns. In fact the word “Rap” comes from the urban slang “to talk.”
It should be no surprise that with so much to say that Rap has made its way to the youth of Iran. From Ahvaz to Tehran, Rap has become the new music of the new generation. Makings its ways from parties to protests, it has even become the scapegoat by the current regime in Iran. As recently as November, the Islamic Republic had task forces specially created to arrest Rappers. Making international headlines, the government accused Rap of spreading profanity and poisoning young minds. Ironically thats what many parents in the U.S. think of Rap, they just can’t arrest the rappers (though the rappers here get themselves arrested anyway.)
Iran’s form of Rap is very different from other countries in that Iranian rappers have strayed away from copying American music. Unlike other rappers in other countries, Iranian rappers have come up with their own style of flow and beat production that stays true to both Iranian music and the spirit of Hip Hop.
So before you think that Iran has its own “Panjaa” Cent let me introduce you to some of Iran’s finest Rap artists.
HICHKAS:
The most “gangster” of all Iranian Rappers, Hichkas is what I like to refer to as Iran’s Tupac. Rapping about everything from social issues, street justice, and other problems of the new generation, Hichkas born Soroush Lashkary is one of the most respected of all Iranian rappers. He is currently in Tehran, Iran making music. His hits include “Baa Ham” and “Tripe Ma.” Hichkas has received international acclaim for his music style and topics. Even with his popularity, Hichkas has never been able to receive permission from Iran’s government to release his songs.
YAS:
Known for his clever wordplay and melodic style of rapping, Yasser Bakhtiari better known as Yas is the Nas of Iran’s hip hop scene. After the earthquake of Bam, Yas wrote his song Bam which came with immediate publicity and even more immediate criticism. However the youth spoke, and Yas was able to release 6 of his songs with Iran’s permission. “Hoviate man” and “CD ro beshkan” are his more popular songs. Yas was allowed in 2008 to visit outside of Iran to Europe and the United States to give lectures on the state of Iran’s Rap scene.
ERFAN:
With his handsome good looks, style, and form of street poetry, Erfan Hajrasuliliha aka Erfan is Iran’s very own Jay Z. Though I am pretty sure he does not have a Bentley, what he does have however are songs that provide commentary on politics, social issues, girls, and other aspects of daily life. Born in Esfehan, Erfan moved with his family to the persian populated Orange County where he currently lives. However he never forgot his roots and continues to perform poetry geared towards his fellow country men. With many albums under his belt and hits like “Sad Ghassam” and “Parvaz” under his belt and friends like Afra, Khashayar, and Sahand Quazi on his side, Erfan stays a pillar on Iran’s Rap scene.
SASY MANKAN:
Not all Iranian Rappers are serious. Iran’s own Soulja Boy named Sasy Mankan has fun in his videos and on his songs. Bringing the “Look” with the crazy hair, unkept light beard, and Tehran street clothes, Sasy Mankan has made hits such as “Gooshvare”, “Parmida”, and “Tehrano LA kon.” His songs are DJ top hits at persian parties as he mixes Iranian beats with Hip Hop rhymes forming his own style he calls “Shish O noh” (6 – 9.) With a crew of friends such as Hossein Mokhteh, Alishmas, Askin 0098, Sasy Mankan is ushering a newer friendlier side of Hip Hop to Iran.
ZED BAZI:
Rap is not complete without the Rap Group. The Wu-Tang Clan of Iran’s Rap scene comes from Europe (England & France) and goes by the name Zed Bazi. Group members Mehrad Hidden, Saman Wilson and Sohrab MJ, Alireza JJ, Sijal, Nassim all have different styles and different forms but come together perfectly. While many of their songs are explicit the point is that they made Iranian Rap popular almost overnight. What they had done had never been done on such a grand scheme.
Once upon a time, the music world rejected Hip Hop as just a fad. Today we see that it is here to stay. Iran’s hip hop scene is no different. With mainstream artists from Kamran and Hooman to Ebi using Rap in their songs to appeal to a new generation, the power of raps poetry to effect the masses is apparent. For better or worse Rap is here to stay (even in Iran) at least for now. Parents should know what their kids are listening to and kids should know whats out there. Rap has in modern times been the music of Revolution. The true revolution is the revelation of rap in Iran.
Not a lecture. Just a thought.
