Iran Cracks Down On Rap Music

[MR HIP HOP HEAD]

The Iranian government has issued a country wide crackdown on rap music, according to a recent BBC report.

The government's Ministry for Culture and Islamic Guidance is leading the charge, issuing a statement saying rappers will be "confronted" and "illegal studios" will be shut down.

Like their United States counterparts, officials deemed the genre to be "vulgar" and like American fans, rap in Iran is popular among young males and carries messages concerning political, social, and sexual themes.

Rappers are not just restricted to recording music, but also performing it as well. Any artist wishing to hold a performance must get prior permission from the government. A handful of songs manage to get approved by the ministry, but the majority of the music is distributed through underground channels.
Iranian officials are also seeking a way to control music distributed on the Internet as well.

The crackdown is part of a larger measure to crackdown on "decadence" and also includes certain films, drugs, and alcohol. In addition, the measure seems to be another way for the government to keep "western" values out of the country.

"Iranian rappers are inspired by the Iranian exile community in Los Angeles - one of the main [centers] of American rap," the BBC report says. "Young Iranian singers are trying to replicate the accents and subject material used by many US artists."

While rap music finds itself under the microscope in Iran, women who wear makeup and hats and not the traditional head scarf have also been targeted. Hundreds of women have been arrested in the last six months for their fashion infractions.

http://www.hiphopdx.com/

[brock]

wonderful. The most progressive muslim nation gets less progressive

[Toriko]

In a country that doesn't even accept homosexuality and degrades women I wouldn't expect anymore from them.

[Focus Man]

i'm persian myself, and i hate the fact that Iran is so controlled by the government. I was there last summer, and man......u can't wear tshirts in public!! its supposedly too revealing lol no joke. I couldn't wear no tshirts or shorts in public, and the women of course were fully covered with only their faces shown. Retarded ass rule, i'm glad i live over here. It ain't perfect in the US, but hey, it could be worse(i.e. Iran)

[GENERAL WISE]

Iran is a bullshit country filled with homosexuals.

[Focus Man]

wow don't say that man, u dont know a god damn thing about the people in Iran. sooo ignorant. go read a book, learn a thing or two. the news got to all the dumb people here, thinking the Middle East is full of terrorist. Ur just a pawn in their game my friend. Come election day, ur dumb ass is going to vote for another redneck republican.

[One and Only]

wow don't say that man, u dont know a god damn thing about the people in Iran. sooo ignorant. go read a book, learn a thing or two. the news got to all the dumb people here, thinking the Middle East is full of terrorist. Ur just a pawn in their game my friend. Come election day, ur dumb ass is going to vote for another redneck republican.

Word the fuck up yo!