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 2971 posts on Registan.net.
Nathan is the Founding Editor and Publisher of Registan.net, which he launched 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 private and government clients on Central Asian affairs, specializing in how socio-cultural and political factors shape risks and opportunities and how organizations can adjust their strategic and operational plans to account for these variables. Nathan is currently seeking research, analysis, and consulting opportunities. He can be contacted via Twitter or email.
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Interesting, the chorus (at least I think it is the chorus) sounds somewhat like a jump rope chant. Did rap come from jump rope/hop scotch roots?
not bad, but he’s following the american stereotype of rap: sweats with the hood, buggy sunglasses and the hummer…
Was hoping to see something a little more original.
To be fair I don’t understand the lyrics so I can’t speak as to the message but the image he is going for is lame :/
im going to have to agree with mahdi. i do not understand and i wish i did but it has a catchy beat but when i read about him i expected somthing alot more origional!
I commend him for going the grain and being a trend setter from such a conservative Islamic background. I’m sure his ancestors are spinning in their graves but I’m diggin his style. Web Video I’m watching is grainy but he looks like a cutey too.
What can I say…Impressive but can’t understand a damn thing he’s saying….
Aye papi,
Mosogak of NY
Man I think he’s doing a great awsome thing thier for the kids in Afganistan. This is one of the ways how the country can be reached is through the music. He wants peace and education for his country and he’s going against the grain. I diffenetly would like to do a track with him and rap in Afanganistan cause i’m with him for peace and education. Though you can’t understand him there are some who can’t understand you.
Good job, I loved the song.
For wedad and mahdi, go and learn some farsi first plz.
good luck Besho jaan.
U ROCK MR. DJ
You are a great Singer and I think you have great potentials. You are reaching the stars now but don’t let the chin get too high. Your fans love you not only because of your great looks but because you are an excellent Rapper. You win peoples’ heart being being yourself and That is the key. Wish you all the best always. Love Vida
salaam
DJ Besho i think you have brought an excellent gift to country.
i really like your rap and ithink you should say some pushto rap. dont care about people what they say, because they dont understand dari.
keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep up AFG rap
good luck blood.
U ROCK MR. DJ
You are a great singer and I think you have great potentials. You are reaching the stars now but don’t let the chin get too high. Your fans love you not only because of your great looks but because you are an excellent RAPPER. You win peoples’ heart being yourself and That is the key. Wish you all the best always. Love Vida xxx
SALAAM AGAIN!
I am a die hard fan of yours who loves practically everything in you.I always wish for you and want you to be the best Singer, Afghanistan has ever produced,which,I know you are capable of.Best of luck in life and take care
bye!!
iam 14 yrs old and full afg iam really privaliged and love being a normal kid ..mi parents are always trying to get me to learn more about mi culture and stuff i get bored of it fast tho…now after listening to your music i want to learn beter farsi so i can understand what your saying… if you didnt rap i would have never givin you the time of day….now finally someone reppen’ for all the afg here in the u.s.!
peace
Very impressive, I must admit…
Keep up the great stuff!
I think it might be a great idea for dj Besho’s to use themes similar to someone like Dr. Dre. I think the region is filled with violence and it will appreciate a more passionate war attitude, not to mention the tone of “hate” itself, always attracts attention!
I love this stuff coming from a land like Afganistan. I feel sorry for the those innocent people, however, after being supressed as a society for so long, I would love to see more of their true ‘gangsta attitude’ being expressed through the medium of music. I personally believe this has the potential to become big on the international arena.
AK@malibu,CA
Hey Guys I have samething to tell,
I really love this guy is Music his so cool we never had a ny kind of music which make’s you feel from his feeelings so i wish him more sucsses and bright future
Regard Navid Paimani
Great major step for musicians in our country. Keep in mind that musicians have a great impact in the younger generation. Our new generation, musicians understand that a lot of young people look up to them, it is important to convey the message of peace and strength through unity. I wish DJ Besho and other upcoming artist a great success. Hope to hear many great recordings from homeland.
Ay salam alaykum Besho jan,
Ay chee kar kardai? RAP Kardai? Ma Megum Khoob Kardai lol
Great work bro, very impressive, keep it up.
Financially anything you need to improve your songs
Citi Cite Network is with you
Samholmes@myway.com
Hi everyone!
I have to say that this rapper is a real talented rapper in afghan history or afghan music history. Let’s wish him a very best of luck through his career in music and his life. Oh by the way, you guys should listen to the best song of Aris Parwiz called “naro naro” and i am sure you will love this songe if have a heart to feel.
Love and peace
eHhhhhhhh
) , kheili jaleb bood … afghan ha ham rap khon daran be heshoon tabrik migam , i’m meghdad of iran 
dear Dj besho i like the way you rap but i think its better ro create your own music the muic on your video clip is belong to JA RULE .. and about your lyrics i couldnt catch exactly what you are taliking aboutits a lil weak .. improve it .. maybe you get mad about what i wrote to you but i am a profissinal Dj and ia m working in Blue star night club in denamark which is a hip hop disco … i have my own cd i made in 2005 but its in english just a lil chours in dari and pashto … keep it up you did a great job i am proud of my afghani people …the new generation
ye tike az ahange iraniyaraM gozashTY baba migi nemkham ahand bedozdaM
vaLi dar kol bahale 
hello im not afghan im bengali insted but ur song is reli gd aldoe i dont understand it but i no abit. i love da song its da best i herd keep it up im gonna tell ma afghan m8 bout u
bye
Excellent job, love your passion for the country and peace
Lose the image keep the massage; we do not need materialist next generation
Don’t let success go to your head, lots of luck
salam .. khili jaleb bod bare maaa….. CO0O0LCO0O0OL
avalin ahange rape afghani bod ke mishnidom
eyvaleton
……
:X:X::X
No as good as to deserve some hype. No thythm at all, nothing close to rap. No meaning no truth.
Total waiste of time.
salam
great job
very impressive,if u keep it up you`ll be succesful.
good luck,hope you to become what you want!
asalams…um… is dj besho gonna read this himself? anyways…big big congrats to him….damn his goood….i love his video espcially wer his prayin and wer he swaps his hat and wer his singin beeya ke berem ba mazahr…..um…ok so basically i LOVE it all…nways…its really inspiring…i think its wat we need u know…but u know wat….i dont think our afghans back home are gonna be too inspired….especially the oldies….with all due respect…lol
er…ok ….love love love…hey if anyone has like his contact and that can u pliz give it to me….pliz
ok peace be wid all my afghans…..love u all
As far as I know, he won’t be reading the comments. Just me… Unless DJ Besho comes looking for himself on the internet and finds me.
Salam . Man khoDam RaP BaZam . PeRsian RaP MiKHoNam . vasaaM Kheyli jaleB BooDesh
. EyVal …… OmiD VaraM Ke Az farDa HaMe DoNbale Cd haT BEgarDaN 
)
salam hamwatanan aziz,
az shanidan ahang rap ba zaban farsi kheili khosh hal shudam…
ahang khobist wa azash khosham amad.
wa bajavab MASOUD Jan Denmark:
ma ba shuma ham eftikhar darem ke DJ afghan dar denmark hasted, arzo daram ke ahang shuma ra ham ba zaban farsi beshmavam. ama shuma menhais yek buzurg Besho jan ra bayed tashwiq kuned na tawhin…!
Daryoosh Haziq
International Student in Japan
salam hamwatanan aziz,
az shanidan ahang rap ba zaban farsi kheili khosh hal shudam…
ahang khobist wa azash khosham amad.
wa bajavab MASOUD Jan Denmark:
ma ba shuma ham eftikhar darem ke DJ afghan dar denmark hasted, arzo daram ke ahang shuma ra ham ba zaban farsi beshmavam. ama shuma bayed menhais yek buzurg Besho jan ra tashwiq kuned na tawhin…!
Daryoosh Haziq
International Student in Japan
salam aghaye dj besho azizam kheili ahange bahali khondi onam cheshmakesh mano koshte behar hal man ye dokhtare irani hastam ke asheghe ahange cheshmak shodam dostane aziz age ye site darin ke ahangaye in dj besho ro gosh bedam mamnon misham qorbone hamaton man motaleq be hameye shomam be qole afghaniya khay kho lollllll dostaye ziyadi daram ke afghaniyan hala bemanad site hamin dj besho ro baram benevisin ke betonam gosh bedam merci az hameye shoma
salam be hamegi,
Im a good friend of dj besho and he came yesterday back to germany…i will tell him about this site and im very tahnkful to all the people who help us and afghanistan to get an normal country…dj besho makes the first step but everyone can help….we receorded a new song including dari rap of bezho and german rnb…this song will be the bomb so i hope ke hamrahe ma bashiiiiiiiid….be omide didar
salam negin jan,
site : http://www.youtube.com serarch for “afghan rap”.
man fekr mekonam ke ahangeh 4 sia chashmak ast.
enjoy ist
ang
nice musa I’d like it.. its good for peace….. for all afghans
Nice job
This is the best afghan rap song i have heard and my whole family likes
Plus it shows that afghan people are becoming more westernized
Sincerely,
Your Miss World 2010
nice job
Thsi is the best afghani rap song I have heard
plus it shows that afghani people are becoming more westernized which is good
keep up the good work
Sincerely
Your Miss World 2010
Dear ANG! I think u guys r the rising starz in bringing new music and sound to a nation which has suffered multiple deaths since its existance. Throughout our nation’s history, we have recognized and valued afghan music to the fullest of our abilities. However, it is safe to say, during this period the notion of afghan music hasn’t managed to follow variety of different paths, either due to lack of interest or facilities. As a result, for years and years, the focus of afghan singers has been solely on quality of voice and ability to “garm the majless”, if I may. Bound by these norms and values, afghan people have a difficult time welcoming rap music. However, this skiptizim and refusal to engage in change should not serve as a discouragment to any of our rising afghan rappers. As a matter of fact, THE challenge needs to be well understood and affectively communicated
above and beyond at least an average afghan citizen’s expectaions. In my opinion, possibilites in this field are endless, as long as we have the right intentions and the right tools to put such intentions into action. Afghan people (my people), I am not saying we should change our lifestyle in a manner so it fits afghan rap, but what I am suggesting is that we give these guys a chance and tolerable support to prove the validity of their music for what it is and, for once, NOT for what it is supposed to be. Thanks for taking the time out to read this message and I am hopful that you all will interpret this as it was meant to be interpreted.
Sincerely
Afghan KuLaL
P.S> comments are more than welcome.
salam dostan aziz thanks alot for you all,if you want to know besho its a emil djbesho@yahoo.de
Salaam n 2 those dat dont “understand” Farsi Hi…
This is the birth of Hip Hop In da country, Dj Besho is bringing a new style of music that the young people of AFG r gonna enjoy…60% of Afghanistan’s population is under the age of 25…Im 18 in Australia and i loved it..i was so happy when i saw this…keep up da good work brother, hopefully more hip hip stars will arise…and give our country a good name 4 something thats good…IM PROUD..
Da Hummer featured in this video is my brother’s friend’s cousin’s…yeahhhhhhh…
Peace out…
Your good man i like it i am rapper too but i never rap in dari so i just rap in swedesh so
i like to have some help from you thanks
Heey guys
I liked this song very much im going to afghanistaan nxt year i want to ask if someone gots his song without video
godo ofes
Dear ANG (DJ Besho)
your doing a great job we afghans around the world are very proud of you (especialy me).so keep up the great job and hopefuly i wil be waiting for more raps from you.I think your the only great rapper afghanistan has, because til now i havent seen any1 making such a great rap.(i dont think any1 has made 1) so what your doing is great and i just wana say something to these guys here: mehdi…wedad..and mosagak…if you guys think u can do much better then why dont u come out and show it..sitting behind a pc and chating shit is easy but going out there and actually doing it is hard!! so think million times be4 u comment.and yh 1 more thing this rap is made for AFGHANS who understand their language and in ur cases u guys are nt afghans cuz u dnt even speak your own language SO SHAME ON U! if u dnt understand the rap then no need to listen to it!!
hmmm… maybe he is good for the country but there is no talent musik and texts are stolen and his style ist just like the black american rapper why dont he take his own style i think he just want to earn some money but lets wish him good luck and hope that afghanistan will get some reale talented rappers in the future
er denkt er kann rappen ,er ist klein und will seine nase in meine angelegenheiten stecken, er denkt mit nigger kleidung rumzurennen wäre cool ,leßt bei youtoub die komentare sie beweisen er ist schwul,er will afghanistan helfen und denkt was er tut wäre gut aber aber als die russen kamen hatte er keinen mut ,jeder sagt er hat es nicht drauf jeder fragt sich wann gibt er endlich auf, jeder der laufen kann tut es so schnell wie möglich denn jeder weiß dj beshos gestank ist tödlich also besho pass auf bleib lieber beim hartzt4 sonst steh ich bald wieder vor deiner tür also merkst du boror wer besser rappen kann ich denn du bist ja nicht mal ein mann !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
great he does something for his country we should be proud of him .
good luck bejan and hope you will find your own style
What the hell? Three comments from the same IP address in a row, two have nearly identical email addresses, and they’re all over the place. (Ich kann deutsch lesen, “besho diss!!!!!”) Weird.
sorry nathan but we was 3 diffrerent poerple in one house.und bekanntlich haben drei verschiedene personeneauch verschiedene meinungen.!!!
Salam To All Afghans,
Special Salam to DJ Bezho
Bachayee Afghan Ba Shoma Salam.
I think Afghans Are Very smart people around the world, I proud to be afghan.
Let your singers to go ahead and prove them selfs they are not less then others, DJ Bezho Keep it up mai, I am really lover of your Raps,
Take Care you all
Zandabad Afghanistan
Love Sahil
salaam dj bezho chiwacht kati habib qaderi yak concert mekuni byebye
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