Shakhar is in the Hizouse

Even Iran isn't immune to the pop culture rubbish.

Iran has only one official rap musician, dubbed the Dapper Rapper for his smart suits and elegant lifestyle - a far cry from the radical music of the ghetto streets of the US where rap was born.

Shahkar Binesh-Pajouh uses rap music mixed with Persian classical poetry in order to criticise poverty, unemployment, and the chi-chi women of Tehran wearing too much make-up under their chiffon headscarves.

If the style is radical, the message is deeply conservative.

"I am criticising the nouveau riche who have no taste," says Shahkar.

"If a guy is driving a BMW without having the culture that goes with driving a BMW, he is still a village man, but he just has more money than before."

Oh well... It can't be any worse than American rap. I doubt it's sold in the Western world or else I might be tempted to listen to it. I look forward to the day when Iranians have the freedom to ignore all sorts of sub-standard music.