Hip hop is apparently becoming very popular with the youth of Afghanistan. Some in Afghanistan may see this as a sign of progress, others may see it as more Western encroachment on Afghan culture. I think it's the former and, as a Halfghan myself, find it fascinating.

Between 1996 and 2001 the Taliban completely banned music and dance in Afghanistan. It's difficult to even fathom a world in which music could only be enjoyed in secrecy, and one of the few great accomplishments of the Bush administration is freeing Afghans from the tyranny of that regime (Yes, I just used the phrases "great accomplishment" and "Bush administration" in the same sentence). The fact that teenagers can now listen to rap in public, despite grumblings from some of their elders, is a step forward.

Equally interesting is how Afghan hip hop differs from what you'd find in the United States. Like Afghans themselves, it is very diverse and diasporic. Some rappers are homegrown, but most are based in Europe or elsewhere outside Afghanistan (including the U.S.), driven from their homeland by decades of war. They rap in Farsi, English, Pashto, German, and a slew of other languages.

Many international rappers—in Afghanistan and other countries—are heavily influenced by American hip hop and will still cite Tupac and other legends of rap as their inspiration. But the themes found in the music are different: You won't find as many references to sex, bling, and drugs; instead you'll hear about religion, war (which is no surprise), and national pride.

Still, it serves as an outlet for teenagers to express their opinions and rebel against mainstream culture, much like pre-commercialized American hip hop.

I recommend Googling "afghan hip hop" or checking out YouTube if you're interested in learning a little more. Here are a couple of examples:

Arash Howaida: Laila

Da Jokerz