ActiCons

Some say hip-hop is dead, for a variety of reasons including the “Michael Moore-ification of political rap.” But according to AllHipHop.com, not all hip-hop is politically shallow:

Iranian-based sources with AllHipHop.com have revealed that many of the protest riots over the controversial reelection of have been partly organized by Hip-Hop artists.

“Hip-Hoppers -the new breed of Iranian musicians – are the ones who are doing a lot of the organizing of protests,” said a source that requested anonymity.

The source stated that rappers have responded to governmental moves through their music.

It’s a natural fit. Hip-hop often gives voice to rage, resistance, frustration … sometimes an outlet for raw emotion, other times for political speech. Hip-hop culture is a counter-culture, and this is as true in Iran as anywhere else in the world where hip-hop lives. The Iranian government has more than once tried to crack-down on hip-hop, citing obscenity among other excuses, but the underground scene continues to thrive.

The idea of the underground rap scene taking to Tehran streets to demand their votes and voices be heard is as stirring as it is, well, dope. If anyone out there has pics, video, audio, or more info on Iranian hip-hop artists at the protests, please feel free to contact me by email (activistprime at acticons), in the comments, or on Twitter.

Now, listen: