Indian Rap culture has been on a steady rise since Yo Yo Honey Singh's songs became a part of mainstream films. Movies like Gully Boy played a landmark role in giving a voice and recognition to rap music which was earlier just thought of as gibberish.

Indian Rap culture has been on a steady rise since Yo Yo Honey Singh's songs became a part of mainstream films. Movies like Gully Boy played a landmark role in giving a voice and recognition to rap music which was earlier just thought of as gibberish. The hard work, discipline and consistency that goes into making a thousand words interconnect was highlighted by the growth of rap and hip-hop culture in India. Meet Panther, a famous rap artist hailing from a small town in Uttar Pradesh. Panther made a memorable appearance on MTV's renowned show, judged by none other than the legendary rapper Badshah for Hustle 2.0 on VOOT. The songs that propelled Panther to stardom on the show include the catchy tunes Bus Ek Baar, Bhasad,Vande Mataram, UP Se, Pagal Kuttey, and many others. Panther and Sony Music have partnered up for his upcoming track, Pagal Ay, featuring the talented Shahat Gill. This energetic and captivating song is set to be released on June 14th, showcasing Panther's versatility and knack for creating catchy tunes. Panther has also collaborated with the renowned record label Kalamkaar, owned by Raftaar, resulting in two sensational hit songs called Best and Clout. feat Deep Kalsi. On the occasion of World Music Day, WION caught up with the rapper about his music, scope of rap in India and more. Here are the excerpts: Q: What's the scope of rappers in India? Has it changed and become better in the last few years? A: The scope for rappers in India has expanded and improved in recent years. There has been a rise in talented Indian rappers, increased exposure through social media, and the establishment of dedicated rap labels and platforms. Rap music has gained popularity and acceptance among the younger generation. Mainstream Bollywood films have also started incorporating rap elements into their soundtracks. The success of Indian rap artists and the availability of digital platforms have provided more opportunities for rappers to showcase their talent and reach a wider audience. Overall, the future looks promising for Indian rappers. Q: What is the one piece of advice that you would give to a person who aspires to be a full-time rapper? A: My advice to aspiring full-time rappers would be to always remain hungry for success, one should never let their hunger die. Even if you achieve your goals, never stop seeking opportunities to improve and surpass your previous accomplishments. Stay motivated, driven, and continuously strive to do better. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

World Music Day: Indian rapper Panther on the future of hip-hop and rap in India

The vast fields of Warsaw’s Bemowo airport have hosted concerts by some of the world’s biggest stars. Michael Jackson played there. So did Madonna. Metallica, too.

 
But Oct. 2, more than 30,000 people — many young teenagers, with their parents acting as chaperones — crowded together next to the runway waiting for a new star to get onstage: Michal Matczak, a 21-year-old rapper with bleached-blond hair and a constant grin, better known as Mata.

 
“He’s like the representative of our generation,” said Joseph Altass, 20, a student who traveled from Gdynia, more than 200 miles north of Warsaw, for the concert.

 
Zuzia Waskiewicz, 19, sharing a bottle of flavored vodka with a friend, agreed: “He’s the first person talking about real things about us.”

 
When Mata appeared at 8 p.m., it was clear he was speaking to the younger generation in the audience: One of the night’s first tracks, “Blok,” was about moving out from his parents’ home and annoying his new neighbors by partying. Then Mata played an ode to marijuana, followed by a tune about drinking on the concrete steps that line the Vistula River in Warsaw. The crowd rapped along to every word.

 
Mata’s impact in Poland has been inescapable. Earlier this year, one of his tracks, “Kiss Cam,” was streamed so frequently, it appeared on one of Billboard’s global charts — a first for a Polish act. When last Friday he released “Mlody Matczak” (“Young Matczak”), his second album focused on his early adulthood, it instantly topped the country’s Spotify chart. Several of his songs have over 50 million views on YouTube.

 
But one specific track marked Mata’s explosive entrance into Polish cultural life two years ago: “Patointeligencja” (an amalgam of the Polish words for pathology, and intelligentsia). Over spare production, Mata paints a picture of life as a student at Batory, an elite high school in Warsaw where many students are expected to push for admission to the world’s best universities. In his telling, few of the students are quietly studying for their final exams. Instead, they’re using drugs, alcohol and sex to deal with the pressure. “My friend wanted to spend his father’s whole salary on drugs,” Mata raps, “but his old man was making so much he would have killed himself trying.”

 
“Patointeligencja” was a sensation almost as soon as it appeared on YouTube in December 2019. Cyryl Rozwadowski, an editor at Newonce, a popular Polish-language culture website, said “it was such a groundbreaking event, I hardly think of it as a song anymore.”

 
Newspapers and TV shows started using the track to debate both the pressures on Polish youth and issues of privilege, like whether an apparently rich kid like Mata should be rapping at all. Their takes often reflected political divides in the country. Poland has for years been in a culture war, with liberals on one side and the ruling populist Law and Justice Party and its conservative supporters on the other, facing off over issues like gay rights, abortion and even the rule of law.

 
Some conservative sections of the media, including the country’s main government-run TV station, presented Mata’s track as showing the dysfunctions of the liberal elite. They regularly pointed out that Mata’s father is Marcin Matczak, a lawyer and academic known for his fierce opposition to the ruling party’s policies.

 
On his new album, Mata has a tribute to him called “Papuga,” or “Parrot,” slang for lawyer in Poland. His father has welcomed the association, this year releasing a book called “How to Raise a Rapper.”

 
A few hours before the airport concert, Mata said in an interview at his record label’s plush office that he liked causing scandal. “I’m a bit addicted to adrenaline,” he said, adding that as an only child he craved attention. Sometimes, he feels “like an internet troll more than a rapper,” he said.

 
But he insisted he hadn’t written “Patointeligencja” when he was 18 to cause a stir. He typed it on his phone during his final year at Batory when he’d “just had a big breakdown.” A three-year relationship had ended, he said, and he was overwhelmed with stress about exams and his teachers saying he was heading for failure.

 
One day, he skipped class and went to a Caffe Nero, where he poured alcohol into a coffee while searching for a beat on YouTube. When he found the music for “Patointeligencja,” the lyrics angrily spilled out of him. “It was just stream of consciousness, all these bad emotions coming out of me,” he said. “Even now, I’m excited when I think about that moment. I felt alive.”

 
When his father picked him up later, Mata rapped the tune to him. He said the song was like “the cure” for his breakdown. Soon he was writing his debut album, “100 Dni Do Matury” (“100 Days to Finals”), which reviewers later called a farewell to his childhood. He managed to graduate.

 
“Mlody Matczak” — released last Friday — is mainly about his new life as an adult, he said, but it also includes a track cursing Polish political figures who’d criticized him and his father. There’s a song about his grandfathers, who both died this year, one of complications from COVID-19. At one of their funerals, Mata got up to sing, and the piano player asked for his autograph, he said.

 
Critics in Poland are talking about his new album as being far more than scandal mongering. Bart Strowski, the co-author of a series of books on Polish rap, said he liked Mata’s duality. On one hand, he “is an angry young rapper filled with booze and weed.” On the other, Strowski said, he’s “a soulful and sensitive kid” writing unusual songs filled with “incredible sociological detail.”

 
Mata said he was enjoying fame in Poland but hoped to find success outside the country, too. He has been thinking about whether to try rapping in English, he said, but if he did, would keep a “hard Polish accent” to stand out.

 
At the concert, Mata’s ambition was clear, with the show staged with the help of a theater director. During one song, he was joined by about 20 dancers in Polish folk costumes and red balaclavas. For another about submissive sex, he stood in the middle of a huge block of lights while a group of dancers took his top off and sprayed him with cream.

 
After almost two hours, it seemed there was little spectacle left, and the only hit left to play was “Patointeligencja.” But instead of performing the song, Mata ran offstage, jumped into a blue helicopter and flew away. The crowd waited around for 10 minutes, asking whether he’d really gone, but Mata had left to find his next controversy.

The vast fields of Warsaw’s Bemowo airport have hosted concerts by some of the world’s biggest stars. Michael Jackson played there. So did Madonna. Metallica, too.

The vast fields of Warsaw’s Bemowo airport have hosted concerts by some of the world’s biggest stars. Michael Jackson played there. So did Madonna. Metallica, too. But Oct. 2, more than 30,000 people — many young teenagers, with their parents acting as chaperones — crowded together next to the runway waiting for a new star to get onstage: Michal Matczak, a 21-year-old rapper with bleached-blond hair and a constant grin, better known as Mata. “He’s like the representative of our generation,” said Joseph Altass, 20, a student who traveled from Gdynia, more than 200 miles north of Warsaw, for the concert. Zuzia Waskiewicz, 19, sharing a bottle of flavored vodka with a friend, agreed: “He’s the first person talking about real things about us.” When Mata appeared at 8 p.m., it was clear he was speaking to the younger generation in the audience: One of the night’s first tracks, “Blok,” was about moving out from his parents’ home and annoying his new neighbors by partying. Then Mata played an ode to marijuana, followed by a tune about drinking on the concrete steps that line the Vistula River in Warsaw. The crowd rapped along to every word. Mata’s impact in Poland has been inescapable. Earlier this year, one of his tracks, “Kiss Cam,” was streamed so frequently, it appeared on one of Billboard’s global charts — a first for a Polish act. When last Friday he released “Mlody Matczak” (“Young Matczak”), his second album focused on his early adulthood, it instantly topped the country’s Spotify chart. Several of his songs have over 50 million views on YouTube. But one specific track marked Mata’s explosive entrance into Polish cultural life two years ago: “Patointeligencja” (an amalgam of the Polish words for pathology, and intelligentsia). Over spare production, Mata paints a picture of life as a student at Batory, an elite high school in Warsaw where many students are expected to push for admission to the world’s best universities. In his telling, few of the students are quietly studying for their final exams. Instead, they’re using drugs, alcohol and sex to deal with the pressure. “My friend wanted to spend his father’s whole salary on drugs,” Mata raps, “but his old man was making so much he would have killed himself trying.” “Patointeligencja” was a sensation almost as soon as it appeared on YouTube in December 2019. Cyryl Rozwadowski, an editor at Newonce, a popular Polish-language culture website, said “it was such a groundbreaking event, I hardly think of it as a song anymore.” Newspapers and TV shows started using the track to debate both the pressures on Polish youth and issues of privilege, like whether an apparently rich kid like Mata should be rapping at all. Their takes often reflected political divides in the country. Poland has for years been in a culture war, with liberals on one side and the ruling populist Law and Justice Party and its conservative supporters on the other, facing off over issues like gay rights, abortion and even the rule of law. Some conservative sections of the media, including the country’s main government-run TV station, presented Mata’s track as showing the dysfunctions of the liberal elite. They regularly pointed out that Mata’s father is Marcin Matczak, a lawyer and academic known for his fierce opposition to the ruling party’s policies. On his new album, Mata has a tribute to him called “Papuga,” or “Parrot,” slang for lawyer in Poland. His father has welcomed the association, this year releasing a book called “How to Raise a Rapper.” A few hours before the airport concert, Mata said in an interview at his record label’s plush office that he liked causing scandal. “I’m a bit addicted to adrenaline,” he said, adding that as an only child he craved attention. Sometimes, he feels “like an internet troll more than a rapper,” he said. But he insisted he hadn’t written “Patointeligencja” when he was 18 to cause a stir. He typed it on his phone during his final year at Batory when he’d “just had a big breakdown.” A three-year relationship had ended, he said, and he was overwhelmed with stress about exams and his teachers saying he was heading for failure. One day, he skipped class and went to a Caffe Nero, where he poured alcohol into a coffee while searching for a beat on YouTube. When he found the music for “Patointeligencja,” the lyrics angrily spilled out of him. “It was just stream of consciousness, all these bad emotions coming out of me,” he said. “Even now, I’m excited when I think about that moment. I felt alive.” When his father picked him up later, Mata rapped the tune to him. He said the song was like “the cure” for his breakdown. Soon he was writing his debut album, “100 Dni Do Matury” (“100 Days to Finals”), which reviewers later called a farewell to his childhood. He managed to graduate. “Mlody Matczak” — released last Friday — is mainly about his new life as an adult, he said, but it also includes a track cursing Polish political figures who’d criticized him and his father. There’s a song about his grandfathers, who both died this year, one of complications from COVID-19. At one of their funerals, Mata got up to sing, and the piano player asked for his autograph, he said. Critics in Poland are talking about his new album as being far more than scandal mongering. Bart Strowski, the co-author of a series of books on Polish rap, said he liked Mata’s duality. On one hand, he “is an angry young rapper filled with booze and weed.” On the other, Strowski said, he’s “a soulful and sensitive kid” writing unusual songs filled with “incredible sociological detail.” Mata said he was enjoying fame in Poland but hoped to find success outside the country, too. He has been thinking about whether to try rapping in English, he said, but if he did, would keep a “hard Polish accent” to stand out. At the concert, Mata’s ambition was clear, with the show staged with the help of a theater director. During one song, he was joined by about 20 dancers in Polish folk costumes and red balaclavas. For another about submissive sex, he stood in the middle of a huge block of lights while a group of dancers took his top off and sprayed him with cream. After almost two hours, it seemed there was little spectacle left, and the only hit left to play was “Patointeligencja.” But instead of performing the song, Mata ran offstage, jumped into a blue helicopter and flew away. The crowd waited around for 10 minutes, asking whether he’d really gone, but Mata had left to find his next controversy.

A Polish rapper goes from scandal to superstar

Rap music in China has turned "patriotic" as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/xi-jinping-holds-space-chat-with-astronauts-lauds-new-horizons-for-humanity-393393">Communist Party</a> celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

A Chinese band has released a song in which 100 Chinese rappers applauded the Chinese Communist Party’s achievements with the song titled "100%".

The song was meant to “expresses the patriotic soul of each rapper”, according to Hip-Hop Fusion, the music company behind 100%.

The 15-minute song praised China's 5G technology, space programme even as a rapper criticised G7 nations giving the song a political colour.

The soundtrack was released on a streaming platform&nbsp;with several top stars taking part to boost Communist Party's birthday party on July 1. However, reports say it hasn't proved to be a chartbuster yet.

The song praises the Red Army and the rise of "New China". The Communist Party has included film festivals and several commemorations ahead of the grand July 1 celebrations.

The lyrics targeted&nbsp;at the youth goes like this, “From extreme poverty to radiant, I have no regret to be born in China, new high-speed trains, new ports, new looks, and a new story, go China, let’s rejuvenate the great nation."

Another set of lyrics trumpets the achievements of the army: “We used to look forward to the Red Army, a spring breeze all over the Earth. Keep tradition in mind, achieve socialism, as the red flag stays in my heart.”

The song urges&nbsp;the youth to "shrug off indifference and self-defeat" and to "ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the people."

Chinese rappers&nbsp;have increasingly come under the regulator's lens for using tattoos with TV shows discouraged to promote hip-hop culture.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Rap music in China has turned "patriotic" as the Communist Party celebrates its 100th birthday this year. A Chinese band has released a song in which 100 Chinese rappers applauded the Chinese Communist Party’s achievements with the song titled "100%".

Rap music in China has turned "patriotic" as the Communist Party celebrates its 100th birthday this year. A Chinese band has released a song in which 100 Chinese rappers applauded the Chinese Communist Party’s achievements with the song titled "100%". The song was meant to “expresses the patriotic soul of each rapper”, according to Hip-Hop Fusion, the music company behind 100%. The 15-minute song praised China's 5G technology, space programme even as a rapper criticised G7 nations giving the song a political colour. The soundtrack was released on a streaming platform with several top stars taking part to boost Communist Party's birthday party on July 1. However, reports say it hasn't proved to be a chartbuster yet. The song praises the Red Army and the rise of "New China". The Communist Party has included film festivals and several commemorations ahead of the grand July 1 celebrations. The lyrics targeted at the youth goes like this, “From extreme poverty to radiant, I have no regret to be born in China, new high-speed trains, new ports, new looks, and a new story, go China, let’s rejuvenate the great nation." Another set of lyrics trumpets the achievements of the army: “We used to look forward to the Red Army, a spring breeze all over the Earth. Keep tradition in mind, achieve socialism, as the red flag stays in my heart.” The song urges the youth to "shrug off indifference and self-defeat" and to "ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the people." Chinese rappers have increasingly come under the regulator's lens for using tattoos with TV shows discouraged to promote hip-hop culture. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ahead of Communist Party’s 100th birthday, rap turns '100%' patriotic in China

If you thought you have had enough of Instagram's 'Reels' features, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/facebook">Facebook</a> has one more similar concept for you, but with a twist.

The social media giant, Facebook, has launched a new app called BARS that is being dubbed as a 'TikTok look-alike' but with a more concentrated audience and slight change.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-we-do-without-big-tech-companies-364919" hreflang="en">Can we do without big tech companies?</a>

Developed by Facebook's New Product Experimentation (NPE) R&amp;D team, the app is currently available only under closed beta testing.

"No formal rap experience required — you can create something great whether you’ve just thought of a dope couplet or have been freestyling for years," BARS Community Manager DJ Iyer said in a blog post.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-real-power-of-facebook-364913" hreflang="en">The real power of Facebook</a>

This app will allow users to create and share raps with built-in tools, that will let the users create raps without any formal background or experience of rapping.

While the timeframe and other concepts are similar to TikTok and Instagram's Reels feature, the BARS app is specifically designed for creating content only in rap style, setting it aside from all other short-video platforms.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-to-launch-smartwatch-with-messaging-fitness-features-363611" hreflang="en">Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features</a>

This app can suggest rhymes using a rhyming dictionary to help the budding rappers with the flow. There are also pre-recorded beats and pre-loaded tools such as Clean, AutoTune, Imaginary Friends, and AM Radio to help record a rap professional-style.

"I know access to high-priced recording studios and production equipment can be limited for aspiring rappers. On top of that, the global pandemic shut down live performances where we often create and share our work," DJ Iyer said. "So, along with a group of aspiring rappers, we've been building BARS: a place for aspiring rappers to create and share their art."

As of now, the app is available in the US App Store only and is available for select iOS users. The app also has a waitlist where people can sign up to use the platform post-release.

If you thought you have had enough of Instagram's 'Reels' features, Facebook has one more similar concept for you, but with a twist. The social media giant, Facebook, has launched a new app called BARS that is being dubbed as a 'TikTok look-alike' but with a more concentrated audience and slight change.

If you thought you have had enough of Instagram's 'Reels' features, Facebook has one more similar concept for you, but with a twist. The social media giant, Facebook, has launched a new app called BARS that is being dubbed as a 'TikTok look-alike' but with a more concentrated audience and slight change. Also read| Can we do without big tech companies? Developed by Facebook's New Product Experimentation (NPE) R&D team, the app is currently available only under closed beta testing. "No formal rap experience required — you can create something great whether you’ve just thought of a dope couplet or have been freestyling for years," BARS Community Manager DJ Iyer said in a blog post. Also read| The real power of Facebook This app will allow users to create and share raps with built-in tools, that will let the users create raps without any formal background or experience of rapping. While the timeframe and other concepts are similar to TikTok and Instagram's Reels feature, the BARS app is specifically designed for creating content only in rap style, setting it aside from all other short-video platforms. Also read| Facebook to launch smartwatch with messaging, fitness features This app can suggest rhymes using a rhyming dictionary to help the budding rappers with the flow. There are also pre-recorded beats and pre-loaded tools such as Clean, AutoTune, Imaginary Friends, and AM Radio to help record a rap professional-style. "I know access to high-priced recording studios and production equipment can be limited for aspiring rappers. On top of that, the global pandemic shut down live performances where we often create and share our work," DJ Iyer said. "So, along with a group of aspiring rappers, we've been building BARS: a place for aspiring rappers to create and share their art." As of now, the app is available in the US App Store only and is available for select iOS users. The app also has a waitlist where people can sign up to use the platform post-release.

TikTok lookalike? Facebook launches new app, BARS, for rappers

A court hearing held via Zoom for a US teenager accused of masterminding a massive hack of Twitter was interrupted Wednesday with rap music and porn.

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss reducing bail terms set for the 17-year-old Tampa resident arrested last Friday over the hack last month of the accounts of major US celebrities.

But the interruptions with music, shrieking and pornography became so frequent that Judge Christopher Nash ended up suspending it for a while, the Tampa Bay Times said.

Hackers accessed dozens of Twitter accounts of people such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Elon Musk, after gaining access to the system with an attack that tricked a handful of employees into giving up their credentials.

Bail for the 17 year old was set for $725,000 and in the hearing his lawyers were seeking to reduce it.

In the end, judge Nash ruled against reducing the youth's bail.

He was arrested along with two others, aged 19 and 22, one of whom lives in Britain, and was charged with cyber fraud.

The hack affected at least 130 accounts, with tweets posted by the usurpers duping people into sending $100,000 in Bitcoin, supposedly in exchange for double the amount sent.

A court hearing held via Zoom for a US teenager accused of masterminding a massive hack of Twitter was interrupted Wednesday with rap music and porn. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss reducing bail terms set for the 17-year-old Tampa resident arrested last Friday over the hack last month of the accounts of major US celebrities.

A court hearing held via Zoom for a US teenager accused of masterminding a massive hack of Twitter was interrupted Wednesday with rap music and porn. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss reducing bail terms set for the 17-year-old Tampa resident arrested last Friday over the hack last month of the accounts of major US celebrities. But the interruptions with music, shrieking and pornography became so frequent that Judge Christopher Nash ended up suspending it for a while, the Tampa Bay Times said. Hackers accessed dozens of Twitter accounts of people such as Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Elon Musk, after gaining access to the system with an attack that tricked a handful of employees into giving up their credentials. Bail for the 17 year old was set for $725,000 and in the hearing his lawyers were seeking to reduce it. In the end, judge Nash ruled against reducing the youth's bail. He was arrested along with two others, aged 19 and 22, one of whom lives in Britain, and was charged with cyber fraud. The hack affected at least 130 accounts, with tweets posted by the usurpers duping people into sending $100,000 in Bitcoin, supposedly in exchange for double the amount sent.

Porn video, rap music interrupt US court hearing for accused Twitter hacker

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday the Kremlin should play a leading role in Russian rap music and in youth culture, rather than trying to shut it down.

His comments follow a spate of concert cancellations by venue owners and local authorities across Russia and the brief arrest of a popular rap artist, Husky. The crackdown has sparked considerable discussion in recent months, especially among young people.

Putin said such heavy-handed measures were often counterproductive and suggested an alternative approach.

"If it's impossible to stop something, you've got to take charge of it," he said during a live broadcast of a meeting of his advisory council on culture and the arts.

"How to do this, how to take charge and guide in the necessary direction... That's the most important issue," he said, adding that the question would be discussed further by members of his administration and the culture ministry.

Husky, who raps in Russian and whose songs have at times been critical of the government, said his concerts were under pressure because authorities objected to lyrics they found offensive.

After his concert was cancelled in Krasnodar, in southern Russia, he tried to perform from the roof of a car instead, leading to his arrest for hooliganism.

His arrest and sentenced to 12 days imprisonment led to a public outcry and the rapper was released early, thanks to the intervention of members of the presidential administration, the editor of state broadcaster Russia Today said on Twitter.

Putin on Saturday was responding to a statement about rap concert cancellations made by music producer and member of the advisory council Igor Matvienko. Among other suggestions, Matvienko proposed creating a parental advisory guidance system for concerts.

Addressing Matvienko, Putin said, "You said that rap (rests on) three pillars: sex, drugs and protests. Of all of these, drugs are the most worrying," Putin said. "They are the route to a nation's degradation."

Putin also addressed the question of how to regulate the musical genre's use of censorious language.

He said that he had talked about swearing with a linguist.

"She told me personally that it's a part of our language. It's just a question of how you use it," he said.

Matvienko also suggested guidelines on the use of swear words online and in the media, but Putin said this was a sensitive matter as such words are part of Russians' common culture.

Likening swear words to body parts, Putin joked: "we have all sorts of body parts, and it's not like we put them on display all the time, whether it's hot or cold."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday the Kremlin should play a leading role in Russian rap music and in youth culture, rather than trying to shut it down.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday the Kremlin should play a leading role in Russian rap music and in youth culture, rather than trying to shut it down. His comments follow a spate of concert cancellations by venue owners and local authorities across Russia and the brief arrest of a popular rap artist, Husky. The crackdown has sparked considerable discussion in recent months, especially among young people. Putin said such heavy-handed measures were often counterproductive and suggested an alternative approach. "If it's impossible to stop something, you've got to take charge of it," he said during a live broadcast of a meeting of his advisory council on culture and the arts. "How to do this, how to take charge and guide in the necessary direction... That's the most important issue," he said, adding that the question would be discussed further by members of his administration and the culture ministry. Husky, who raps in Russian and whose songs have at times been critical of the government, said his concerts were under pressure because authorities objected to lyrics they found offensive. After his concert was cancelled in Krasnodar, in southern Russia, he tried to perform from the roof of a car instead, leading to his arrest for hooliganism. His arrest and sentenced to 12 days imprisonment led to a public outcry and the rapper was released early, thanks to the intervention of members of the presidential administration, the editor of state broadcaster Russia Today said on Twitter. Putin on Saturday was responding to a statement about rap concert cancellations made by music producer and member of the advisory council Igor Matvienko. Among other suggestions, Matvienko proposed creating a parental advisory guidance system for concerts. Addressing Matvienko, Putin said, "You said that rap (rests on) three pillars: sex, drugs and protests. Of all of these, drugs are the most worrying," Putin said. "They are the route to a nation's degradation." Putin also addressed the question of how to regulate the musical genre's use of censorious language. He said that he had talked about swearing with a linguist. "She told me personally that it's a part of our language. It's just a question of how you use it," he said. Matvienko also suggested guidelines on the use of swear words online and in the media, but Putin said this was a sensitive matter as such words are part of Russians' common culture. Likening swear words to body parts, Putin joked: "we have all sorts of body parts, and it's not like we put them on display all the time, whether it's hot or cold."

Kremlin should take the lead on rap music, not shut it down: Putin

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