Iranian hip-hop

Hip hop emerged within Iran in the late 1990s, when a few Iranians started translating American gangsta rap into Persian and spread recordings of these songs on the internet. A little later these individuals would start writing their own lyrics and experimented with producing original tracks. Iranian hip hop originates from the country's capital Tehran, although a number of experimental works were recorded earlier by diasporan Iranian musicians, particularly in Los Angeles. In the early 2000s, rap music did not enjoy huge popularity yet within Iran and the emerging hip hop scene consisted of a relatively small community of artists based in several Iranian cities. On several occasions, recording studios have been shut down, websites have been blocked, and artists have been arrested. During the Green Movement that erupted after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed 2009 re-election, a widespread crackdown on artistic expression occurred that targeted those who had participated in or supported the protests. Many rappers have since emigrated from Iran. Hip hop dance is also present in underground movements, with few performances having received limited permission. == Hip hop and politics ==

Hip hop and the Iranian government Hip hop music is not considered a legitimate artform by Iran's authorities. Political themes Rap music and the surrounding hip hop culture that emerged in Iran in the early 20th century defied the country's traditional Islamic conventions and customs. Due to the inclusion of taboo topics and the use of slang and swearing, hip hop is labeled as subversive and morally corrupting by the traditional segments of Iranian society. Hip hop artists have pointed to the directness inherent in rap music to explain the suitability of the genre as a platform for social and religious critique. Salehi, who raps under his first name Toomaj, had been actively involved in the Mahsa Amini protests. He was charged with spreading propaganda, cooperating with hostile governments and forming an illegal group aimed at disrupting the country's security. Later the charge of sowing corruption on earth was added, which carries the death sentence. He is currently held in isolation in prison and is mostly denied contact with his lawyers. It has been reported that Salehi has been tortured and requires urgent medical care. His arrest attracted attention from international media outlets, with human rights organizations warning that it is unlikely Salehi or any of the many detained protesters will receive a fair trial. Salehi's songs are socially engaged and have explicitly criticized Iran's government, tackling topics such as poverty, women's inequality, human rights violations and corruption. Shortly before his arrest he released the protest songs Meydoone Jang ("The battlefield") and Faal ("Divination"). In Meydoone Jang, Salehi calls upon his listeners to take part in the uprising, showing clips from the Mahsa Amini protests in the song's music video. In the music video released for Faal, Salehi is seen rapping his lyrics, in which he predicts the end of the Islamic regime, to a man with a concealed face representing the country's ruling system. Saman Yasin Saman Yasin (Persian: سامان یاسین), a Kurdish dissident rapper who condemns oppression and inequality in his works, was arrested violently in October 2022 due to his support for the Mahsa Amini protests. The main charges brought against him were enmity against God and the attempted killing of security officers during a demonstration, which Yasin denied. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, Yasin has been severely mistreated and tortured in order to gain a forced confession, and it has been reported that he tried to take his own life in jail. Yasin was found guilty and sentenced to death in November. Later Iran's Supreme Court annulled Yasin's sentence and called for a retrial, while at the same time upholding the death sentence of another protester called Mohammad Qobadloo. == Themes ==

Many Iranian hip hop artists focus on the Persian identity, as opposed to Arab identity, in their music. The Persian identity and histories that they pride is often that of the ancient Persian Empire, and not the current state. Some artists incorporate local elements such as Iranian classical music and literature. Other themes include social and political conditions and events, and slandering other rappers, also called 'dissing'. Furthermore, global hip hop themes, such as violence, sex and drugs, are common topics. In Persian hip hop, these taboo themes tend to be discussed with a view to their broader societal and economic implications, taking on a layer of social or political critique. == Iranian hip hop artists ==

Both artists in Iran and artists from the Iranian diaspora are regarded as Iranian hip hop artists. Hichkas co-founded 021 music group with Yashar and Shayan duo but they later separated from the group and created their own group renamed Vaajkhonyaa. Hichkas, Mehrak Reveal, Reza Pishro, Ali Quf, Ali Owj, and Mahdyar Aghajani became the prominent members of 021. Zedbazi (Persian: زدبازی), founded officially in April 2002, is regarded as the pioneer of gangsta rap in Iran. They are credited with starting a new movement in Iranian music. Yas (Persian: یاس) was the first Iranian rapper to be authorized to perform in Iran. He reached national fame through his song CD ro Beshkan ("Break the Disk"), which was written about an Iranian actress who was subjected to a sex tape scandal. On 21 December 2011, he was chosen by voters as the "Artist of the Week" on MTV, entitled "Tehran's Hard-Hitting MC". The restrictions have been more stringent on women. Salome MC (Persian: سالومه ام‌سی), who started her career collaborating with Hichkas, She was named as an influential and "revolutionizing" artist by MTV and Time. Rivalry In the early 2000s in Tehran, a rivalry and tension between rappers from East Tehran and West Tehran took place. This rivalry was driven by the disparities in their economic and social backgrounds. In addition, tensions were strengthened by existing rivalries between the East and West Coast in American hip hop culture. Rappers from East Tehran predominantly come from lower middle class or lower class, which is why they are inclined to use hip hop as a medium for social and political commentary. Their lyrics delve into issues like poverty, economic struggles, and social discrimination. Rappers from West Tehran frequently focus on topics like parties, and lifestyles associated with a high socio-economic status. Consequently, rappers from East Tehran look down upon the rappers from the wealthier western part of the city. == Media ==

In 2009 Hassan Khademi has directed a documentary called Rapping in Tehran. This documentary explores the emerging hip hop scene in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The film was screened at several international film festivals. ==Samples==