Crackdown of Rap Music in Russia.

Most of the news items in Russia currently gives details about how the government undermines the freedom of various entities in Russia. This paper focuses on how the Russian government treats the Russian rap music artist. The following paragraph discusses some of the issues found in two newspaper items. 

In the article written by the Euro, news shows how the Russian police recently canceled various rap music show venues. Based on the text indicated on the paper it aims in informing the audience that the Russian government is against Rap music. The editorial has achieved thus by reporting instances where the commentary has achieved this by giving an example of a scenario, where after IC3PEAK had released their music video, they found themselves surrounded by the Russian security forces. The security forces canceled each venue after the other. This evidence shows that the Russian government does not support Rap music. In many cases, the press has been one of the groups that do not have freedom in Russia. However, this argument shows that Russian musicians, especially rap artists do not have the freedom to explore their talents in Russia. 

Additionally, the text adds that the reason why the police canceled the rap music venues is that they criticized the Russian government. The article tends to communicate to the audience that in Russia the government does not welcome critics from its citizens. The report shows that most of the rap music talks about the issue affecting Russian residents. The text achieved its objective by showing how the rap artists held their concerts in hiding, after the security forces canceled them, indicating that the artists claimed that if they could not have held these concerts censorship in Russia could continue. This evidence shows that rap music criticizes the lousy leadership in Russia. And this might be the reason why the security forces canceled the venues. Also, in this argument, the text shows that just like how the press in Russia has experienced suppression by the government, the rap artists also experienced this because of singing songs that talked about issues affecting the Russians. 

The article informs the audience that rap music is a culture of the youths. In the text, the editorial aims in telling the readers that rap music is common among the youths in Russia. Thus, it indicates that canceling that crackdown of the rap music is like cracking down the culture of the youths. The article suggests that IC3PEAK was part of the performers who have attracted the police attention for the last two months, where some activists defined the situation as a crackdown of the culture of the youth in Russia. The editorial suggests that many venues became subject to inspection. As a result, many got closed down and refused to work with the rap musicians since they were afraid of sanctions. Based on this argument, it is valid to claim that the text aimed at informing the audience how the security forces in Russia are destroying the youth culture in Russia since they do not allow them to express their views using rap music. 

Additionally, the text shows that the rap music sang the Russian artists talks about social issues affecting the community. Based on this claim, the editorial aims in informing the readers that rap music is not bad, instead it addresses the problems that affect the Russian population. From the text, there are various instances where it shows the relationship between rap music and social values. For example, the version indicates that Ivan Dremin had become popular because of singing about conservative values in the Russian community, sex, and the youth. Additionally, the editorial suggests that Ivan had published his first album which slammed poverty in Russia as the main reason why the teens get involved in criminal activities. The editor indicates that Ivan Dremin had told them that every Russian rapper needed to sing music regarding social issues in the country, so long as he or she is living in Russia. Furthermore, Drenin suggested that if the Russian government wanted the Rap artists to stop singing about the issues affecting the population, then they should make Russia a first-rate country, however, if the government cannot do that, then they will continue singing about the same issues regardless of how many times they will ban their songs. Based on the above arguments, it is evident that rap music is not bad. Instead, it advocates for the well-being of the Russian population. 

Another article also supports the arguments indicated by the Euro news in their text. This news source also gives its views on rap music crackdown in Russia. The report suggests how the Russian FSB security service arrested various a rap artist. The text shows that a day before the security officers arrested Husky, the rap artist they had forced the owner to block Husky’s performance, of which if he could not do that then they will plant drugs in the club. The editor uses this evidence to inform the audience how the security forces in Russia are against rap music but do not have a genuine reason for cracking it down. As a result, they use threats to force the club owners to block the artists from performing. This argument shows the current forms of injustices that both the club owners and the rap artists’ experiences in Russia. 

Additionally, the article also talks about the recent culture of the youths in Russia. It recognizes the aim of the government to crackdown the youth culture. It indicates that the Russian government is afraid of Cultural Revolution, which explains why its security officers work towards detaining the rap artists, blocking their music videos and canceling their concerts. This evidence shows that rap music is a new culture of the youths in Russia and the Russian government is afraid of it since it allows the teenagers to be able to express their views regarding suppression in Russia.

In summary, the above text gives the aims of the two news articles regarding current trends in rap music in Russia. Based on the above premises it is evident that the rap artists in Russia, use music to express their views regarding suppression in Russia. However, the government seems to be against any form of criticism. Hence it commands its security officers to block and arrest them. Thus, it is valid to conclude that in Russia, music artists do not have the freedom to express their views. 

Bibliography.

Bennets Marc, “Why Putin is Learning to Rap”. Retrieved from: https://www.politico.eu/article/husky-russia-putin-rapper-why-putin-is-learning-to- love-rap/

Roslyakov Alexander and Naira Davlashyan, “Hitting the wrong note? Russia’s young musicians claim they are victims of a police crackdown”. Retrieved from: https://www.euronews.com/2018/12/12/hitting-the-wrong-note-russia-s-young- musicians-claim-they-are-victims-of-a-police-crackdo