This is probably smart move on Iran's part because the youth have the Internet, see what is going on, and don't want to be stifled. However, weren't young people arrested the other year making a video of themselves singing "Happy?"
How Iran is trying to win back the youth
The Islamic republic is turning to western-inspired pop culture and underground musicians to save the revolution. A recent music video is the latest example, argues Narges Bajoghli
Amir Tataloo Nuclear Energy video
Narges Bajoghlifor Tehran Bureau
Monday 20 July 201500.00 EDTLast modified on Monday 20 July 201500.51 EDT
The video, with clear support from the regime and its military apparatus, has shocked many Iranians, given that officials have snubbed rappers as “westernised” thugs at best, and fomenters of evil, at worst. Tataloo, a 32-year-old rapper with millions of followers on social media, had to produce his music underground until just a year ago. He was arrested in December 2013 for his alleged cooperation with foreign satellite stations. The military’s participation in a music video with an underground artist who flaunts his tattoos, long-hair, and piercings, appears to be a conundrum. But it’s not. It reinforces a strategy that the regime’s cultural producers have been advancing for the past decade. The Islamic republic’s cultural elite believe that it is of the utmost importance to garner the support of Iran’s youthful population, support they fear has been shaky since the street protests of the disputed 2009 presidential election.
Tataloo’s video is only the latest example of the ways in which the regime’s cultural centres have funded, supported, and promoted nationalism in lieu of Islamism to attract the youth, often appropriating banned popular culture in the process.
Continue reading at:
How Iran is trying to win back the youth World news The Guardian?
How Iran is trying to win back the youth
The Islamic republic is turning to western-inspired pop culture and underground musicians to save the revolution. A recent music video is the latest example, argues Narges Bajoghli
Amir Tataloo Nuclear Energy video
Narges Bajoghlifor Tehran Bureau
Monday 20 July 201500.00 EDTLast modified on Monday 20 July 201500.51 EDT
The video, with clear support from the regime and its military apparatus, has shocked many Iranians, given that officials have snubbed rappers as “westernised” thugs at best, and fomenters of evil, at worst. Tataloo, a 32-year-old rapper with millions of followers on social media, had to produce his music underground until just a year ago. He was arrested in December 2013 for his alleged cooperation with foreign satellite stations. The military’s participation in a music video with an underground artist who flaunts his tattoos, long-hair, and piercings, appears to be a conundrum. But it’s not. It reinforces a strategy that the regime’s cultural producers have been advancing for the past decade. The Islamic republic’s cultural elite believe that it is of the utmost importance to garner the support of Iran’s youthful population, support they fear has been shaky since the street protests of the disputed 2009 presidential election.
Tataloo’s video is only the latest example of the ways in which the regime’s cultural centres have funded, supported, and promoted nationalism in lieu of Islamism to attract the youth, often appropriating banned popular culture in the process.
Continue reading at:
How Iran is trying to win back the youth World news The Guardian?
