The organization that passes for the Iraqi government has, according to Nation Public Radio’s “All Things Considered”, imposed a ban on a style of hip hop in which the lyrics praise Muqtada al Sadr, the militant Shiite cleric and leader of the Mahdi Army. Al Sadr’s forces are the most visible force of resistance to U.S. troop presence in the unstable Middle Eastern country. The banned music also levels explicit threats of violence on foreign occupying troops–mainly Americans.
Even though violation of the law carries with it the charge of inciting terrorism, Shiite resistance fighters have been seen driving the streets of war-ravaged Sadr City with the banned music blaring from loudspeakers atop their vehicles.
In a country still learning democracy (apparently from studying models such as American organizations like Parents Music Resource Center), the anemic Iraqi ruling body has made it unlawful to perform, distribute or even play tapes or CDs on stereos with songs such as Baha el Suwaedi’s “I Am the IED,” or singer Ali Delfi’s (pictured at left) new hit single, “Taste the IED.”
Recordings of the songs are, of course, available to anyone who can make themselves appear trustworthy enough to convince a street vendor to reach under his table and pass you over a CD, for the equivalence of an American dollar.
According to the “ATC” story, the songs strike a patriotic chord with many Iraqis who use them for cell phone ring tones. Making music “underground” is nothing new to any of the musicians who were active under Saddam Hussein’s regime because he had also banned songs based on Shiite chants.
NPR has videos and translations of lyrics posted on their website .
