Strange remarks from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance: Rappers must sing hymns if they want a license

Strange statements from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance about rappers, saying that if they want a license, they must sing pop songs.

Mahmoud Salari, Deputy for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, responded to the question of whether three rap singers have been granted licenses. He said that this is not true. Licenses for rap music have not been issued yet. A license has been issued for a song that is pop, not rap. The singers who are known for rapping did not rap in that song; its genre is pop. In fact, we granted him a license for his pop music. I also looked into the other two names that were mentioned, and it was agreed that if they sing in the pop genre, they can get a license.

After some rappers were rumored to have obtained licenses in the thirteenth government, recent news emerged that Hamid Safat Chersey and Dadan, three rap singers, have officially obtained a license for their activities from the Office of Music at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.