Music as Resistance; Counter-Hegemonic Themes in Persian-Iranian Rap

This research is focusing on understanding counter-hegemonic themes in Persian-Iranian rap (one of the most active and fanoriented Iranian music genre). Also, this research has tried to introduce “music as resistance” theoretical field and improve it. For this aim, conceptual framework of Persian-Iranian rap, music as resistance and hegemony/counter-hegemony have been constructed. Moreover, themes have been discovered in works of four outstanding rappers (Yas, Hichkas, Hamid Sefat and Reza Pishro); totally, 141 music of these rappers have been analyzed by thematic analysis. Results show that Persian-Iranian Rap has been focused on social-cultural themes in compared with political and economic ones. Also, ideological and ritualistic aspects of religion are highlighted in this specific genre. Presenting extreme image of social subjects; using extreme nationalism and racist themes; highlighting social conflicts, economical differences and focusing on poverty, having expensive lives and inefficient officials are some other results. Moreover, results show “Iranian-Persian Rap as Resistance” has low effect on audiences.