Explore every episode of the podcast 021: What do you know?

This episode examines why some rappers, like Ice Cube and Kanye West, are now more noticeably identified as leaning towards conservative politics. Ice Cube's interview with Tucker Carlson and Kanye’s open support for Donald Trump are key examples. Most people think money and capitalism are big reasons for this change. Even though hip-hop usually stands for social justice, the champions of the lower and middle class, some say it’s more conservative than people realize. There’s a long-awaited comparison between Kanye and a controversial figure in Iranian rap, pointing to a bigger, global trend, leading us to believe capitalism surrounds us all. 

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PART I. Can you tell Shah was excited to film this episode? A fun and relaxed conversation about Gdaal with Oscar, a non-Iranian STEM professional and not-so-avid Iranian rap fan. An exploration of Shah's favorite rapper Gdaal and his romantic poetry and a discussion of Iranian music. All opinions are our own and are not fact.

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In Mohammad Iqbal’s poem, he critiques the West for its charm and success, lamenting the devastation caused by Europeans and calling for divine intervention to mend the world. This historical context of protest against Western influence parallels contemporary Iranian rap and hip-hop issues. Much of this music is created outside Iran, leading to disconnection among some listeners, especially older generations. This raises questions about the authenticity of cultural products and the scrutiny of Iranians enjoying music not produced within their own country.

The podcast episode discusses the song “Iroonie LA” by Zedbazi, which, despite its limited popularity, offers intriguing insights. It starts with an interview featuring Siavash Ghomeishi, who criticizes Iranian rap, setting a nostalgic tone with old Iranian music before transitioning to Zedbazi’s song. The track features upbeat music with controversial lyrics, including misogynistic and homophobic remarks.

The chorus, praised for its high-quality vocals reminiscent of classic Hollywood songs, showcases Mehrad Hidden's talent. The song ends with a provocative line about “Tehrangeles,” suggesting a rivalry between Los Angeles and Tehran. This line invites interpretation—whether it reflects jealousy or simply highlights the cultural divide between Iranians abroad and those in Iran.

The podcast also reflects on the irony of Zedbazi’s criticism of Iranian culture abroad despite their own international experiences, questioning the broader discourse on immigration and cultural authenticity. The episode invites listeners to explore these themes further, acknowledging the complexity and hypocrisy surrounding Iranian cultural products made outside Iran.

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Welcome to the first episode of What Do You Know? 021, where Shah Zare, a legal professional and self-proclaimed expert in Iranian rap and hip hop, discusses the nuances of the history of Iranian rap and hip hop. In the early 2000s, Iranian pop music faced stagnation, with legal pop production in Iran still emerging and diaspora music from Los Angeles lacking innovation. A pivotal moment came in 2002 when teenage Saman Wilson translated Eminem’s lyrics and formed the Persian rap group ‘Zedbazi,’ establishing a new rap movement in Iran.

This is a social commentary that is for fun and not meant for political purposes or copyright purposes in any way.

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