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Iranian hip hop (Persian: هیپ‌هاپ ایرانی), also known as Persian hip hop (هیپ‌هاپ فارسی),  refers to hip hop music in the Persian language developed in Iran and the Iranian diaspora.  It is rooted in American hip hop culture, but has developed into a specifically Iranian that embodies the. Some artists incorporate local elements such as Iranian classical music and literature into their rap songs. Hip hop music is not considered a legitimate artform by Iran's authorities. All forms of music were banned shortly after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. While this decision has since been partially reversed, the Iranian government continues to crack down on music that it considers harmful. Hip hop music, perceived and portrayed by the government as a morally degrading import from the West, falls in this category and is thus mostly prohibited in Iran. The result of this is that most of the Iranian hip hop scene has been forced to go underground.

History
Iranian hip hop originates from Tehran, the country's capital city, although a number of experimental works were recorded earlier by diasporan Iranian musicians, particularly in Los Angeles. Iranian rappers started out by recording mixtapes. Some combined hip hop with Iranian elements, such as Iran's classical music. Hip hop music in Iran has often been an underground movement, because it defied traditional practices of the governing Muslim culture. Altough different governments have restricted musical expression to varying extents, in general rappers cannot get permission to perform in Iran. On several occasions, recording studios have been shut down, websites have been blocked, and artists have been arrested. Only a few works have been officially approved by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Hip hop dance is also present in underground movements, with few performances having received limited permission.

Hip hop emerged in Iran as a platform for political expression, including religion, identity, and gender. A part of Iranian hip hop is the underground community. Rappers often gather to discuss what to rap about and write lyrics together. Many now known artists started in hidden studios, including 021, Zedbazi, and Amir Tataloo.

In 2003 a rap website called RapFa aired. Through this music platform Iranian hip hop and its community could grow nationwide. On the website hip hop songs can be uploaded and reviewed. Artists can also communicate with each other and their listeners online. Before this website artists could often not do so and audiences were limited. This website also allowed artists to gain exposure and even make music videos, the earliest video dates back to 2005.

In the mid-2000s, the first rap songs, that were produced in Iran, were aired on Persian News and Music Channels.

Themes
Many Iranian hip hop artists focus on the Persian identity, as opposed to Arab identity, in their music.

Other themes include social and political conditions and events, and slandering other rappers, also called 'dissing'. Furthermore, global hip hop themes, such as violence, sex and drugs, are common topics.

Iranian hip hop artists
Both artists in Iran and artists from the Iranian diaspora are regarded as Iranian hip hop artists.

Iran's premier rap group, 021, named after the telephone area code of Tehran, was founded during the late 1990s. Hichkas, the lead figure of this group, came to be one of Iran's earliest renowned rappers, and therefore nicknamed the Father of Persian Rap. His well-received album Jangale Asfalt ("Asphalt Jungle"), produced by Mahdyar Aghajani, was the first Iranian hip hop album. It incorporated a fusion with traditional Persian harmonies and contributed remarkably to the evolution of hip hop in Iran. Hichkas co-founded 021 music group with Yashar and Shayan duo but they later separated from the group and created their own group renamed Vaajkhonyaa. Hichkas, Mehrak Reveal, Reza Pishro, Ali Quf, Ashkan Fadaei and Mahdyar Aghajani became the prominent members of 021.

Zedbazi, founded officially in April 2002, is regarded as the pioneer of gangsta rap in Iran. The band quickly gained a huge popularity among the youth, due mainly to their use of explicit lyrics, littered with profanity and depictions of sex and drug use. They are credited with starting a new movement in Iranian music.

Bahram Nouraei, who was once arrested, was listed as one of the "50 People Shaping The Culture Of The Middle East" by HuffPost in August 2012. His most popular work, Inja Irane ("Here is Iran"), was described as a "poignant critique of the country" by Rolling Stone.

Yas was the first Iranian rapper to be authorized to perform in Iran. He reached national fame through his song CD ro Beshkan ("Break the Disk"), which was written about an Iranian actress who was subjected to a sex tape scandal. On 21 December 2011, he was chosen by voters as the "Artist of the Week" on MTV, entitled "Tehran's Hard-Hitting MC".

The restrictions have been more stringent on women. Salome MC, who started her career collaborating with Hichkas, was one of the first women to contribute to Iranian hip hop. She was named as an influential and "revolutionizing" artist by MTV and Time.

Media
In 2009 Hassan Khademi has directed a documentary called Rapping in Tehran. This documentary explores the emerging hip hop scene in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The film was screened at several international film festivals.