BBC has a story on rap in Afghanistan. They report that it is causing anxiety in some, but that it is wildly popular with youth. Foreign videos are often carefully edited by TV stations to avoid causing offense. Afghanistan’s local rap star, DJ Besho, avoids the language and imagery that cause worry among cultural conservatives.
For DJ Besho the usual preoccupation of rap music with sex is far too controversial to contemplate, at least when he is in Afghanistan.
“People like 50 Cent want to show their money and the ‘pimping’ side of rap music,” he said.
“I want to write about my country and I want to write about love. I don’t use swear words and I have even used texts from the Koran in my music.”
For war-weary Afghanistan rap music’s other dominant theme, a casual preoccupation with street violence and guns, is unlikely to prove a popular draw.
DJ Besho’s subject matter thus far has remained studiously uncontroversial. In one song he adapted an old Afghan tune to sing about his love for Afghanistan. In another he sang in restrained tones about a beautiful girl with captivating dark eyes.
So, here ’tis.
More storis about DJ Besho can be found at e-Ariana, The Globe and Mail, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
This post was written by...
Nathan Hamm – author of 2040 posts on Registan.net.
Nathan founded Registan.net in 2003. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uzbekistan 2000-2001 and received his MA in Central Asian Studies from the University of Washington in 2007. Since 2007, he has worked full-time as an analyst, consulting with clients on Central Asian affairs, specializing in how socio-cultural factors shape risks and opportunities. Follow him on Twitter or drop him a line.
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tu khub asti family khub as
well wat can i say about u besho jaan u r great … i loved the song it’s very very gud….and for the people who doesn’t understand this i just want to say one thing to them ( plz go and learn farsi ) watever u do but ur background is afghani and shame on u guys and ur parents who can’t teach their childrens farsi …
BeSho Ur tOp MaN..DaRi RaPZ ruLe..nO OffEncE bUH paShto RApz r ShyT dey DOnT SouND guD..Itz BeTTA 2 KeEp pAshTO fOR cLAsSicAl sONgZ.. i AinT SayIN dIS cuZ im TaJIK CuZ i aiNT iM pAShtOOn…TuBAH bEsHO bESyaRR pEsH raFTi KaKa tHesE DaYZ EVErY AfghAn KnOWz U..WeLL dONE degA BAchEm..MAidA mIdA …U mUsT Be A miLLioNAirE By Now..KeEp iT uP gAngsTA..KeEp MaKIN aFGHaNZ prOud
SALAM .
thiis song is yhe first DARI RAP i have heard ! and i love this song/and my familie love’it 2.
GREAT JOB ;D
RESPECT FOR U AND THE TO THE OTHER GUYS HOW IS WHIT THIS VIDEO . . .
( DJ Bezho )
i am proud of new genertion of brave afghanistan that now adays they sing the most famouse music RAP.
i am afgan and i love afghan youngs generation.
thanks bezhan jane kondozy for your best creation in afghanistan.
long live afghan boys and girls
wuts up afghanz and all othaz that read this…ne ways just makin a comment about dj besho…him talkin about love and not gunz and he is trying to bring a positive word on the street…its all good…even tho he was neva in the west..where RAP is at….so watch me come to Kabul City and Drop Classics….”NyNeLeVeN”..aka “the 5th LioN”….nuff respect to dj besho for coming to be the first….but i got a diff style…..diff lyrics…ne ways peace….ill make a surprise landing……start the Game in afghanistan…..i know there are many other they have the same idea…But i dont bout peace in AFG……………….easy…..
Hey Bezho, You are outstanding. You know i am away from Afghanistan that is why i am missing your raps so much. So how can i download your raps?
By the way your mix rap was the best i think i liked that one so much. The one which you begin with Ahmad zahir’s song.
Ok wish you all the best. Waiting for more raps from you.
Best of luck BEZHOOO.
HeY AfgHAnZ n Dj BeHo Um I juSt LuV u sO mucH N PPLZ cum to melbourne coz i just luv u n ur so hot n even Aros parwiz iz so hot too. i luv u guys n my email address iz afg_4_eva59@hotmail.com. so yea????lol?
n dj besho make sure u send mi a pic of u>> xxx
hi,
))
thx for ur support. Besho is right now in kabul to produce 3 new tracks.
our new WEBPAGE is comming soon online. Check it out
http://www.beshomusic.com
peace to all
ANG & Besho
as I think Dj besho is the best he has brought a unique music to afghanistan , I support him and Iwish him to follow this way ashna from dehli
mara ter az aashoqi namekonom aarosi yo yo yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa kate jak kabulii
huhuhuuh
boz amedem kate amem dar safem yo yo yo ma mekonom hip hop wa astom tip top yo yo yo akse ma namjaja amo bakse hip hope ma mjaja yo yo hihihihi
bibinen cheqa jod dorom khot goftom bon mara da korom ama ne hip hope ma tip top asta yooooooooooooouuuuu
kho ena bas mekonom mekhostom jak zara sotetana ter konom khoda kona bofomen ke ma mazoq kardem
wa bare hama afghanae ma salam megom roze khush wa hamchenon shabe khus
here i come babyah cause i want stop babyah its the right time babyah to make some hip hop babyah, just be honest and say its tip tooooop babyahhhh
yeaaaaaaaaahhaaaaaaaaa ;P
what do you think dj besho?
i will become a real star, i know that
eOw yo ho is the new afghan rapper?? MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE BJAZOO KHAI KI DEGA?
salam bezhan jan hope u are doing great i love ur songs especially rap all the people who think u dont sing good are gay lol add me if u have hotmail my email is up there^^^
té trotrotro bo aris parwiz jd tu chante trotrotr bien
Hey, i think i will like this kind of rap, not swiaring and stuff like that and RESPECTing karu. I RESPECT you dawg. RESPECT is all u gatta have to get through life bro. Peace i g2g mom callin. a.k.a. Yonis
Sallam ba hamagi!
nd da guy dat has the ANG nick and says hes dj besho’s friend…..can u add me up.. my email is samandolak666@hotmail.com 
thnx hun …….
Bezhan jan ur doin a great job…. keep it up
Bezhan jan your the best raper in afghanistan
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