Iranian rappers from around the world gathered in London for the first time this month to rap in Farsi using the lyrics of 13th century Persian Sufi poet Mawlana Jalaludin Rumi. Young men and women packed London's Queen Elizabeth Hall to hear artists like 23-year-old Farinaz rap the words of one of Iran's most revered poets to a pounding hip hop beat. The London concert was a showcase for Iran's underground hip hop scene which has grown in popularity over the past five years despite the fact that Western music is illegal in Iran.

"Rapping in Iran is very widespread because it's the easiest way for young people to talk about their feelings and their daily life," according to the concert organizer. "Rumi's poetry is very open-minded. It's very modern, it's very funky, it's very surreal. It's very rhythmic." Some of the performers who are shy and hesitant to talk to reporters off stage came roaring to life once they begin performing, striking defiant poses and belting out lyrics protesting the politics at home.

Source: Yahoo News