| Persian Hip-Hop Music | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Funk, spoken word, signifying, the dozens, electronic |
| Cultural origins | 1999, Tehran, Iran |
| Typical instruments | Vocals - sampler - keyboards - guitar – strings - piano |
| Mainstream popularity | High Iran since the late 1990s |
| 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 which emerged in the 1990s. It is credited for inspiring contemporary Iranian music.
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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 Eminem, 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), whereas Daad was the first group to mix up reggae, raggamuffin' and hip hop in the Persian language.
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 artist 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 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] 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]
Iranian rap is growing fast now, thanks to the current situation in Iran and Iranian video websites that give the rappers the platform to present themselves.
First known rapper from a Persian generation is the recording artist "MOZES" from New Jersey dating back to 1986. Born first-generation American and was inspired by his father's collection of musical chants along with American music he grew up around. He can be found on reverbnation.com/mozesmuzic
The 2009 Iranian presidential election and its social and political aftermath saw a string of politically themed songs released by the artists.
Some rappers preferred to stay silent about these issues such as Yas and Zedbazi while others including , Mahdar, Daad, Salome, Bibak, Danial fire and Hichkas have released songs that are critical of the events.
A first Iranian artists used Instrumentals from foreign rappers, this is common in hip hop even today as international artist usually release mix tape albums that use the beats of other artists. As the artists gained more experience, they started working with their own producers.
Today they are a few artists that have their own producers that drive the core of Iranian Rap music including Hichkas, pishro, , Zedbazi, Bahram Nouraei (rapper) and Yas.
Mahdyar Aghajani was someone who released a fusion of hip hop and Iran traditional music in high-level of composition.
There are many Iranian artists that can not be categorized into one style of rap. Artist such as Zed Bazi, Pishro, Bibak, Erfan, Khashayar, Mahdar, Bahram Nouraei (rapper) and Hichkas have all released songs that included party themes, gangster theme or social and political messages. Below is an attempt to expand on the genres of Iranian rap music.
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,[6] mehdi ghost dog. Amir Tatalou, Hossein Tohi, Sasy Mankan, Ashkin 0098, Barobax, and Shahin Felakat.
Ethical and social rap is one of the main genres with in 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.[7]
Iranian rappers like Bahram Nouraei (rapper), Babak Tighe , Bibak, Erfan,[8] Ghogha, Mahdar, Eblis, eMziper, Pishro, Salome[9][10][11] and others are also singing in ethical and social paradigms.
The concept of gangster rap in Iran is different that American gangster rap, which includes artists that come from the city gangs across the United States such as the Crips and the Bloods. 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. These artists include Zedbazi,[12][13] Pishro, Bahram , Ho3ein-Eblis, Erfan, Babak Tighe, Mahdar ,[14] Quf,[15] and others.
Deev was the first person to rekindle Iranian rap with his song "Dasta Bala". The song was focused at pointing out the tyranny of the Iranian government and asking people to raise their fists in protest. The song was very well received and it breathed new air into Iranian rap music. Other artists working in this genre include Bahram Nouraei (rapper) , Bibak, Ho3ien Eblis, Deev, Erfan and Mahdar. Bahram Nouraei (rapper) song "Nameyi Be Reyis Jomhour" (A letter to the president) was well received. The song was critical of policies of Ahmadinejad and his government. In addition to Bahram Nouraei (rapper)'s album which was named "24Hours" which criticizes about some religious subjects such as veil in Iran through a song named "Inja Irane" (This is Iran]]. Also Mahdar ahdarreleased Mother´s Land 2009 and Sleep Wakin 2010 produced by Saman Aref album in this genre. on December 17 2010, The ILIAD released a song called "Begoo Be Man[Tell Me]" that featured many political lines in the form of questions such "Tell me why Iran is the prisoner(Line 3-Verse1)!?" [16]
In 2006 Hichkas released the first official Persian/Iranian hip hop album Jangale Asfalt Download Link (The Asphalt forest). There have been few rap albums released by Iranian artists to date. Release of an album typically shows the strength and mastery of an artist that is putting together multiple tracks and delivering a package to listeners and Jangale Asfalt by Hichkas was the first Iranian hip hop album which was released in a package. The following artists have released albums to date:
| Year | Album | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Jangale Asfalt (The Asphalt Jungle) | Hichkas |
| 2007 | Az Khaneh Ta Goor (From the cradle to the grave) Download Link | Erfan |
| 2008 | 24 Saat (24 hours) Download Link | Bahram |
| 2008 | Jahaname Saket Download Link (Silent Hell) | Pishro |
| 2009 | Sarzamine Madari (Mothers´Land) | Mahdar |
| 2010 | Gorbeye Mordeh Down Load Link(Dead Cat) | eMziper |
| 2010 | Hamishegi (Forever) | Erfan |
| 2010 | Aghaz Injast (Start Is Here) | Pishro |
| 2010 | Khab Dar Bidari Download Link(Sleep Waking) | Mahdar |
| 2011 | Anjam Vazife EP (Tour Of Duty EP) | Various artists |
| 2011 | Ziro Bame Zirzamin Download Link(Modulation Of Underground) | Quf |
| 2011 | Taranehaye Bazargani Download Link(Commercial Songs) | Taham |
| 2011 | Amerna (Deep Dark) | Dr.K.Ok |
| 2011 | Jahane 3vom (3rd World) | Bibak |
| 2011 | Tanhaee Download Link (Loneliness) | Satrap |
| 2011 | Sokout Download Link(The Silence)" | Bahram |
| 2011 | tavahhom (Illusion) | janjal(group) |
| 2012 | Dreams come true - EP | The ILIAD |