Rap Saves the Day!

Lesson Learned: People all around the world go through hardships everyday of their lives. However, instead of dealing with their problems in a negative way, they are using music as a positive reinforcement to help them coup with their problems. 

Description: 

     In this journal article, Soroush Lashkari, the god father of Iranian rap, try to meet with his fan whenever he can. Whether its on the streets, park, and even in a studio if he can find one. He performs under the name of Hichkas, meaning “nobody”.

Some say that his outer appearance makes him look more like a religious zealot than an icon. His attire consists of a conventional dress and black beard, basically making him blend in with his surroundings. He began his journey with rap music by initially listening to rap music on satellite TV about 5 years ago, and along with some guidance of his friends, he has started recording his own songs. To get his songs out to the public, he started asking passers-by: “Have you listened to Farsi rap?”. Selling about 20 CDs a day was start, but now you can find his music through websites and even Bluetooth phones. He believes Iranian rap has a promising future, hoping to have a concert abroad in the United States someday. Hichkas is still trying to persuade studios to let him perform, but his popularity is keeping him motivated to strive for more. At 22 years old, he is forced to keep a low profile after Iranian government launched a campaign against rap music. Recently his band members have been sent to jail, and when released were warned to stop their music because it offends the conservative structure of society. Even though Hichkas doesn’t use swear words, he does in fact talk about social injustice, gap between rich and poor, street fighting and international pressure on Iran pertaining to the nuclear program. In one of his songs called “The Law”, he states: “It’s tough on the street.. the weak die.. the strong remain aloof.. open your eyes and let me explain the law.. We live in a police state where the constitution is trampled upon. Let me should that I’m the victim of this Jungle!.. Don’t handcuff me!”. Hichkas himself has spent much of his time with some of the violent street gangs, but explains that he has never used drugs to help warn young about the dangers of life on the streets. He doesn’t plan on talking about involvement in the street due to the fact that one of his friends, a fellow rapper, has gone through it. Hichkas is taking a better path in life, and instead of fighting out on the streets, he is dealing with is problems by rapping. (Bozorgmehr 1)

Evaluation: 

     This article has to be one of the most inspiring pieces I have read. The author navigates the reader through the life of a Iranian rapper, trying to make it big by starting out small and working his way up. His story touches a soft spot, taking your emotions for a ride. He exhumes his struggles by basically having to hide from Iranian government eager to put an end to his love, rap music. The sources in this article make it easy for the reader to determine what this article is all about, and how the love of music continues to thrive in the souls of the Iranian youth. Hichkas is an authentic artists, using music to paint a picture of what is going on throughout his life. It’s amazing how music allows individuals to express themselves but still make them differ from other artist around the world at the same time. 

Citation:  
MLA: in Tehran, By Najmeh Bozorgmehr. "Iranian Rappers Serenade the Sound of Sirens." FT.com (2008): 1. Print.
APA: in Tehran, B. N. B. (2008). Iranian rappers serenade the sound of sirens. FT.Com, , 1.
Picture Found Here