Z.Z: Before starting this interview, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Yas: First of all I would say hi to all the ZirZamin’s readers. My name is Yasser. I am 25 years old. It has been 5 years since I started rapping as "Yas". The first track I made was only for getting permission (from the "Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance" for the rap song) and was about "Bam" earthquake. The earthquake had a very deep effect on me and made me write the song. This was the start of my work. But the works that made me known are: "Break the CD", "My identity", "We must be able" and "In the hope for Iran".

Z.Z: Why do you think you started rapping?

Yas: Look, with this music style I can tell a whole story which is impossible to do it in other music styles. I had a lot to say. I have stories that I can express them only through this style (i.e. rapping). Stories about the problems in the society and the problems I've gone through. It is only this genre that can capture the attention of the audience to what you want to say. That is why I turned to this genre.

Z.Z: Who makes your music's?

Yas: I don't really have one particular musician that I work with.

Z.Z: Do you have any influence on the music writings as well or do you just write the rhymes and do the raps?

Yas: Almost all of my new tracks are produced by me. A musician writes the music and I, based on its style, produce it the way I want. Usually I first define the subject and then with the help of the musician, write a melody matching the subject. When we have found the beats, I start to work on the lyrics for the whole piece. Then I arrange the track and rap on the track and take it to mixing and mastering.

Z.Z: How do you write your rhymes?

Yas: Well, I always write my rhymes on the beats and always try to write an original piece for the beats. In this way my lyrics fit much better on the track.

Z.Z: Some times ago, I heard the track from you, named "Be Omid-e Iran" (In hope for Iran), which has a very moving rhyme with a social critical context. As much as I have followed your music, I see that you mostly write about some very personal stuff out of your real life, but still they are all reflections of the society that you come from and maybe that is also why you criticize it. Is it out of your social consciousness or is it how you feel that must come out of you and your rap songs?

Yas: I just let out my beliefs. I am a true nationalist. I am a real patriot. I love Iran and all what I rap about are the things that make me sad and hurt me a lot. But I don't want to be a teacher for anybody. They are only personal cries of out pity. This is only how I feel.

Z.Z: I didn't know that the traditional part of the song "Be Omid-eIran" was live. Which artist and singers did work with you on it?

Yas: In the "Be Omid-eIran" the traditional style singing is done by Raastin who is an old and dear friend of mine. With the cooperation of Raastin and Ahmad Saaneghi (sound technician of the studio who also has been one of my supporters), we were able to produce the song. Actually to be frank, I wanted to sing this song with a low beat (speed) so that everybody would understand it. And this is what happened as well and Raastin truly in a nice way accompanied me in the traditional part.

Z.Z: Who is the song writer?

Yas: Song writing of "Be Omid-eIran" was cooperation between Raastin, Ahmad Saanegheh and me.

Z.Z: You know that Hip-hop is a movement that is created by the poor class of Americans that mostly are Afro-Americans or refugees from Latin-America. Today we see that this music style has been a tool for the rebellion younger generations around the world. How is it forming in Iran?

Yas: In my opinion, every style has its own unique way of presence in different corners of the world. In US, through Afro-Americans and Latin-Americans communities, it's been based on racism and poverty while in Iran it's becoming a social style. In my opinion is based on the culture of each country. And I think that one needs to start from the basics (for the improvement). This is as our society has many problems and therefore it has to become a social effort. This genre can have a great deal of empowerment on the society and Iran really needs it.

Z.Z: One of the wishes of each and every artist or musician is to go on stage and play his/her work for an audience. It is interesting for me to find out how the rappers in Iran are communicating with their fans as the genre is not yet allowed in Iran.

Yas: In Iran we have yet not reached a stage where we could easily carry out performances and have a direct communicate with our audience. This is why we use the internet to broadcast and spread our works so that everybody can download them and listen to them. But I am hopeful and I am sure that one day we in Iran will have Persian rap concerts. This is one of my wishes.

Z.Z: We were supposed to see your new album in the market. What happened with it?

Yas:Look, I wanted and I still am working on to release an album with permission (from the "Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance"). But only five of my songs have obtained the permit. Well, you know that everybody will improve by time and this also applies to me. Those songs were produced 3 years ago and obviously are old (now). And even if they would to be released, they would be released as the first Persian rap album in Iran and not as a strong album. But there's no news on it yet.
I also have another album that I am not sure with which company I would work for it. So much work should also result in some sort of business as well. There have also been record label companies that have shown interest in cooperation. But I am a bit concerned that they might bring more trouble for me with themselves. Therefore I am right now coping with sporadic releases of single tracks and have to wait and see what happens.

Z.Z: You spend so much time and money on each track and since there is no return of investment on it, it must be frustrating. What motivates you to carry on?

Yas: The only thing that motivates me is the love to Iran. This is not a slogan (for me). Trust me! I would like to give energy to my own folk and those surrounding us. I never started this path for money. But I am also aware of that it will reach monetary terms as well. I would love to do business in this way as well and it is one of my dreams to also earn money through doing the things that I love to do.

Z.Z: I hope that you succeed. Let's go back to the main topic which is about rap. In a time when we all are having our beauty sleeps and try to look away from the problems in our society and not bringing up any topic that would be against the flow, we see that Persian rap chooses completely another direction and becomes the window to the society and even tells of such stories that we are not used to hear of and don't even want to know of. Do you think that Persian rap has succeeded in starting a cultural movement and reactionary sentiment in Iran? Or is just following after?

Yas: Persian rap has not yet been able to invent a change or have any impact on our culture. It's also because it is not a mature genre in Iran. But I am sure that it will happen and when Persian rap has found its own place in Iran, it (the lyrics/stories) will impact the culture as long as it is in a constructive way to improve the country. I hope.

Z.Z: The track record of Hip hop relies that the culture of Hip hop is founded based on a youth culture and their living conditions on streets, suburbs and poor/low income areas. How does this align itself with the newly introduced culture of Hip hop in Iran?

Yas: In my opinion that can't be applied to Iran. I am referring to myself. For instance the track "CD ro beshkan" or "Be Omid-eIran" is referring to Iran and all Iranians. Yes, I myself have had a difficult life, and still have difficulty to make a living for my family. This is as my father pasted away 7 years ago and didn't leave anything behind (i.e. inheritance). My lyrics are about Iran; it's for the poor, rich or middle class of the society.

Z.Z: Do you think that Persian rap has found its space in the youth of Iran?

Yas: Yes, it has and it still has a long way to go. Look, we need to progress so profoundly so that it does not become like some other genres which only have had limited life spans. This is as we can tell (through the music) so much that will be timeless and have an impact on the people every year (all the time). Like many of those who are not alive anymore but their music and their songs are still present and make an impact.

Z.Z: In one of the songs of "Quf" (Persian rap singer from Tehran) with the title "Khiyaabooniyaa", I noticed that he in this Persian rap song makes "diss" of you and doesn't consider you as a street artist or etc. I don't want you to use this question to reply to him but by mentioning this I would like to ask this question: Is the Persian rap categorizing and profiling itself? In a way that one could group some artists to be street artists who select the topics and the languages in a more aggressive way and some other group who has a more lenient melodies but use social topics and critics in their rap songs, e.g. yourself, and some other group who sings of parties, fun time, love and romance and encounter the pop music in a shallow way with other type of focus? Do you see this categorization or maybe you don't think so?

Yas: Exactly, these divisions are there. There are those who are very aggressive in relying their message and some others who speak about parties and sex. Some people use harsh language profoundly. Some others talk about drugs and etc. I try to sing about the society in my own style and way. In the past, I also sang one or 2 gangster raps and I mean that I did not sing in this way from the start. But since 3 years ago, I have found my own way. By time everybody finds their ways. It is possible that many of those who you referred to change their style and get better or get worse.

Z.Z: How do you see the future of Hip hop in Iran?

Yas: I am sure that Persian rap will be universal. Let's hope.

Z.Z: What is your own future?

Yas: I see a bright future for myself. This is as I have no bad intention. Iran's pride is my goal.

Z.Z: Finally what message do you have to your fans and the readers of Zirzamin?

Yas: The only thing that I have to say is that we in Iran are our own sponsors and supporters and no organization or government or any company is behind us or do help us. I go to my work every morning and every evening come back in order to support my family. From the same money (salary), I have to pay studio expenses, songs writings and etc. I everyday try to improve the quality of my music that I present to Iranians and would like to spend as much as I can on my music. For instance for the track "Be Omid-eIran", live recordings were used for instruments such as Daf, taar and Nay. I mean, I like to give energy to people in this way and as you can see, no money is generated through this. But we need support. We need the support here. We serve every Iranians. That's it!

Z.Z: I don't bother you any longer. Thanks.

Yas: Thanks for showing interest.