Iranian hip hop emerged by the 2000s, from Tehran, the capital of Iran.[4]
The music group 021 was one of the very first groups performing hip hop music in Iran. It was founded by Soroush Lashkary, better known by his stage name Hichkas.[5] He combines hip hop with elements from Iranian classical music,[6][7] and has a unique theistic and nationalistic lyrical style, avoiding vulgar words while referring to social issues.[6] His first album Jangale Asfalt ("Asphalt Jungle") was one of the first Iranian hip hop albums, and brought much recognition to his name in Iranian communities.[6]
Zedbazi, founded in April 2002, is known as the pioneer of gangsta rap in Iran.[8][9] They rapidly achieved a huge popularity among the youth, due mainly to their controversial lyrics littered with profanities and depictions of sexual encounters and drug use.[10] They are also credited with starting a new movement in Iranian music.[11]
Bahram, an underground Iranian hip hop singer,[12] is named as "one of the 50 most influential people shaping the culture of the Middle East" by The Huffington Post and Al-Monitor.[13][14] His debut album 24 Saat ("24 Hours"), released in August 2008, was described as a powerful commentary on the modern-day of Iran by Rolling Stone.[15]
Yas was the first Iranian rapper to be authorized to perform by the Iranian government.[16][17] On December 21, 2011, he was chosen by voters as the Artist of the Week on MTV Iggy, entitled "Tehran’s Hard-Hitting MC".[18]
