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Iranian hip-hop

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Persian Hip-Hop Music
Stylistic originsFunk, spoken word, signifying, the dozens, electronic
Cultural origins1999, Tehran, Iran
Typical instrumentsVocals – sampler – keyboards – guitar – strings – piano
Subgenres
Alternative hip hop – comedy hip hop – freestyle rap – gangsta rap – political hip hop
Fusion genres
Pop rap – rap rock

Persian hip hop (or Iranian hip hop) is a style of hip hop that emerged in the 1990s. It is credited with inspiring contemporary Iranian music.

History

With the introduction of satellite television in Iran in the early 1990s and world-wide recognition of hip hop and its American artists such as 2pac, NWA and Nas, hip hop found a following among the Iranian youth (mostly born after the Islamic Revolution of 1979). They started paying attention to the rhythmic beats and lyrics present in hip hop. Soon they turned from rap enthusiasts to poets and rap producers, bringing to light how they saw life as Iranians and what they wanted from the world.

This list starts with Hichkas who sang about hardships of life in Tehran in his songs such as "Trippe maa" (The way we are) and "Ekhtelaf" (Difference). Later Deev introduced Political hip hop to Iranian audience, with his track, "Dasta bala" (Hands up). This was soon followed by Zedbazi's Gangsta Rap anthem "Mehmooni" (Party) (written on top of the 50 cent's In da Club)

Hichkas, Pishro, Far Hang, and in general a music band named 021 is first Persian rap band. The number of Iranian Hip Hop groups has increased dramatically in recent years. In Iran it is necessary to have official government documents from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance for the legal distribution music. However, the Iranian government is very strict about its requirements and controls around Hip Hop Music. Because of the restrictions in place, most artists release their work over the Internet. This causes hardships for artists, as they can't officially sell their music or hold concerts in Iran. Music piracy is also a large deterrent to the financial success of Iranian artists.[1]

The Iranian government filters major web sites that distribute rap music. They have also arrested Iranian artists in the past and some have temporarily been barred from leaving the country. Iranian Police has also been known to intimate artist and producers and close recording studios.[2]

Iranian media, which in majority is owned and controlled by the government, takes a very negative view of rap music. In 2008 it featured a documentary on IRIB called "Shock" where they heavily criticized the music for preaching satanism to kids and being the source of many social problems like criminal activity and drug use. The program however backfired when many artists such as Ho3ein Eblis[3] , Far Hang and Yas as well as online Iranian magazines and websites[4] released commentary defending the artists and pointing to the government as looking for a scape goat for its own problems.[5]

Like the other Persian Artist, Hip Hop Singers in Iran are also relying with those broadcast companies (TV, RADIO, WEBSITES) to connect with the Iranians all over the world[6].

This genre is mainly driven from Iranian pop music which is locally referred to as 6/8 clave. Some of the artist working on this type of rap music include Shahkar Binesh Pazhooh/[7]

Social rap

Ethical and social rap is one of the main genres within rap music in Iran. This style of rap is also more accepted by the Iranian authorities as it usually does not include political messages. For example, after the release of a scandalous private sex tape of an Iranian actress (Zahra Amir Ebrahimi) that was taped without her knowledge, Yas recorded the song "CD Ro Beshkan" (Break the CD). In the song he discussed the incident and ask the population why there was such high interest in the demise of another person.[8]

Iranian rappers like Hichkas, Bahram Nouraei (rapper), Far Hang, Babak Tighe, Bibak, Erfan,[9] Eblis, eMziper, Pishro, Salome.[10][11][12] Far Hang, an Iranian rapper and producer released his debut album, Dreams come true - EP" which mostly featured Social songs especially against sexual abuse in prisons in Iran.

Gangster rap

The concept of gangster rap in Iran is different than American gangster rap, which includes artists that come from the city gangs across the United States. Iranian rappers in this genre are more geared towards street life and toughness. Their work includes lyrics that address the reality of the world very directly. Iranian rap group out of Iran. Bot generated title -->]</ref>[13],, Pishro, Ho3ein-Eblis, Far Hang,Babak Tighe,[14] and PAPION Band(A&S).

References

  1. ^ "Unauthorized narratives". Our music :base of news and music analysis. babak riahi pour. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  2. ^ "12 'satanist' musicians reportedly arrested in Orumiyeh". Freemuse: freedom of musical expression. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  3. ^ "What is the truth?". Iranian.com. Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  4. ^ "44 Shock, A Social Phenomenal?". Freemuse: freedom of musical expression. Zirzamin. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  5. ^ "Iran arrests 12 accused of promoting satanism". Reuters: The News agency. Fredrik Dahl. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  6. ^ Clips submissions for TV, Radio and Websites Broadcast
  7. ^ Harrison, Frances (18 November 2007). "BBC:Iran's self-styled rapping aristocrat". BBC/Network Liberty. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  8. ^ "CNN: Persian Rap & Yas". CNN/Network Liberty. 11 May 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  9. ^ "MTV Report-Persian Rap for keeping on". Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  10. ^ "Iranian female rapper". BBC/Network Liberty. 18 November 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  11. ^ "iranian rap music". U.S news. 18 November 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2009. [dead link‍]
  12. ^ Chopra, Anuj (18 November 2007). "Irans illegal rappers want cultural revolution". British newspaper. London. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  13. ^ Chopra, Anuj (16 April 2008). "Rebels of rap reign in Iran". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 20 December 2008.
  14. ^ "Interview with shy blade of Persian Rap". BBC: Broadcaster Radio, Television, Online. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  • http://www.pmc.tv (One of the leading TV, Radio and Online Music Channel that helps Persian Hip Hop Singers promote their songs)

Further reading

  • Laudan Nooshin. "Hip Hop Tehran" in Migrating Music, ed. Toynbee, Dueck, Routledge, 2011 (pp. 92–111) [1]
  • Sholeh Johnston. "Persian Rap", Journal of Persianate Studies, Volume 1, Number 1, 2008 (pp. 102–119) [2]
  • Mohammed Mehdi Mowlaei. "Classifications of Meaning in Persian Rap Music", Haft Sang, 1 February 2008 [in Persian, .pdf] [3]
  • R.C. Elling. "Zirzamin: Hip-Hop in the Islamic Republic", in Mellemøstens Ansigter ed. Jorgen Baek Simenson, historie-nu.dk, 2006 [in Danish] [4]
  • E. Bilan, M. Gholami & N. Monavvary. "The Sociology of Rap Music", anthropology.ir, 14 March 2010 [in Persian] [5]

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