PRESS
اشعار کتاب ازازیل با صدای شاهین نجفی
AZAZEL
Naakojaa - A Book by Shahin Najafi
کتاب ازازیل مجموعه ای از شعرهای شاهین نجفی به دو زبان فارسی و
فرانسه همراه با کتاب گویا با صدای شاهین نجفی
When God Sleeps
PBS - Independent Lens - April 2, 2018
When God Sleeps is the story of Iranian musician Shahin Najafi’s stand for freedom of expression, after he was forced into hiding when hardline clerics issue a fatwa for his death, incensed by a rap song focusing on human rights. Despite the risks to his life every time he performs on stage, Shahin refuses to stop, even with a $100,000 bounty on his head.
„Es ist die Aufgabe von Künstlern, über Menschenrechte zu sprechen“
Fluter - January 23, 2018
Der iranische Musiker und Aktivist Shahin Najafi im Interview über die Proteste in seinem Heimatland, seine Rolle als Künstler im Exil und Tabus im Iran
Interview: Benjamin Breitegger
Part 1
Part 2
بلوربنفش : شاهین نجفی
BBC Persian - January 18, 2018
هنرمندی که در دنیای موسیقی و نگاه سیاسی اجتماعی اشعارش، بیشتر از هر کسی تغییر کرده و به تکامل خود ادامه می‌دهد. برای سرش جایزه گذاشته شده و کمتر کسی است که به آهنگهایش واکنش نشان نداده باشد. بهزاد بلور در گفتگویی اختصاصی با شاهین نجفی از خودش، افکارش و آهنگهایش می‌پرسد، حرف‌های نگفته بسیاری در این دو بخش برنامه خواهید شنید همراه با آهنگهایی از کنسرت تابستان شاهین نجفی در لندن و ویدیوهای اعتراضی و حتی هشدار دهنده‌اش
Das Mullah-Regime nimmt uns die Luft zum Atmen
Bild - January 13, 2018
Was als Protest gegen die Korruption und Misswirtschaft begann, entfaltete sich rapide zu einer landesweiten Bewegung gegen das islamistische Mullah-Regime. Denn die Unzufriedenheit der Menschen mit den Machthabern, mit der Armut und Unfreiheit ist massiv.
Der iranische Musiker Shahin Najafi singt über Freiheit, Gerechtigkeit und die Verlogenheit der religiösen Herrschaft. Deshalb musste er schon 2005 aus seiner Heimat fliehen, nachdem er wegen eines Songtextes zu drei Jahren Gefängnis und 100 Peitschenhieben verurteilt worden war.
Im Mai 2012 erließ ein Großayatollah eine Todesfatwa gegen Najafi, also ein islamisches Rechtsgutachten, das einem Aufruf zum Mord gleichkommt. Zudem wurde ein hohes Kopfgeld auf den Musiker ausgesetzt. Najafi tauchte daraufhin unter, versteckte sich eine zeitlang bei dem Investigativ-Reporter Günter Wallraff.
Im BILD-Interview erklärt er, was seine Landsleute antreibt und wie Europa ihnen helfen kann.
von: Antje Schippmann
Kunst und Musik verbinden, wo Religion und Regierung spalten
Deutschlandfunk - January 9, 2018
Die Kritik am iranischen Regime ebbt nicht ab. Das zeigen auch die jüngsten Proteste. Der iranische Künstler und Exilant Shahin Najafi sprach im Dlf über die aktuelle politische Lage in seiner Heimat. Hoffnung gibt ihm allein die Kunst, die eine "galaktische Sprache" sei.
Shahin Najafi im Corsogespräch mit Juliane Reil
von: Antje Schippmann
برنامه ویژه افق نو/ رسالت هنرمند نسبت به جامعه و اجتماع خود
VOA Persian - January 4, 2018
برنامه افق نو
در رابطه با تحولات اخیر ایران و با موضوع رسالت هنرمندان نسبت به اجتماع
میهمانان : ناصر رزراعتی (فیلمساز و منتقد) - شاهین نجفی
Religiöse Fanatiker setzen Kopfgeld auf iranischen Popstar Shahin Najafi
3sat - September 28, 2017
Gespräch mit Shahin Najafi - Teil 1
Der iranische Musiker Shahin Najafi ist mit einer zweifachen Fatwa belegt worden. Wir sprechen mit ihm darüber, wie er mit dieser Bedrohung umgeht.
Gespräch mit Shahin Najafi - Teil 2
Wir fragen den in Deutschland lebenden Musiker Shahin Najafi zur iranischen Gesellschaft, zum Beispiel wie es sich für die jungen Menschen dort zurzeit lebt.
Shahin Najafi singt ...
... den Song "Dahani Jerdideh Az Faryad": Der iranische Sänger Shahin Najafi singt im "Kulturzeit"-Studio den Song "Dahani Jerdideh Az Faryad".
Shahin Najafi singt "Hazrate Naan"
Der iranische Musiker Shahin Najafi singt im "Kulturzeit"-Studio "Hazrate Naan".
23 Must-See Movies at Tribeca Film Festival
The Hollywood Reporter - April 18, 2017
When God Sleeps
The doc centers on exiled Iranian rapper Shahin Najafi, whose bold style and transgressive lyrics put him in the crosshairs of religious clerics in his native country. Till Schauder directs the story, which unfolds against the backdrop of the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks in the Bataclan concert venue and European right-wing backlash against Middle-Eastern refugees.
by Ashley Lee
Tribeca Film Festival 2017: 20 Movies We Can't Wait to See
Rolling Stone - April 12, 2017
When God Sleeps
While your average pop star complains about the "trappings of fame," Iranian singer-songwriter Shahin Najafi is reading Websites showing the assassination of his avatar as thousands of Muslims, led by religious clerics, wish for his death. Banned in his native country for his iconoclastic lyrics, the musician moves to Berlin while he, his band and manager navigate death threats and apostasy accusations. Director Till Schauder and his crew aren't afraid to immerse themselves into Najafi's precarious world. JN
Dying for a Song - The Documentary
BBC World Service - March 12, 2017
Rex Bloomstein meets musicians from around the world who are being persecuted for raising their voices against political, cultural or religious repression. He talks to artists whose songs have led to their imprisonment, torture and to the continuing threat of violence; artists who have been driven from their homelands, artists who, literally, risk dying for a song.
Iranian singer Shahin Najafi continues to perform around the world despite a fatwa calling for his death, after his songs upset the religious leaders in his home country. He says: "At night I turn to the wall and slowly close my eyes and wait for someone to slit my throat".
In this Monday, Feb. 27, 2017 photo, Iranian Shahin Najafi, right, and Israeli Aviv Geffen singers rehearse in Tel Aviv, Israel. In a first joint Israeli-Iranian concert, the rockers hope to prove that despite the bitter enmity between their countries the people can unite in the name of a better future. Geffen and Najafi say their Hebrew-Farsi fusion offers hope in a volatile region. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
Israeli and Iranian musicians unite for Tel Aviv concert
Associated Press - March 3, 2017
by Aron Heller
In a rare collaboration, Geffen has teamed up with Iranian dissident musician Shahin Najafi in what they describe as an effort to prove that despite bitter enmity between their countries, ordinary people can find common ground. As they performed the rare Hebrew-Farsi fusion Thursday night, the standing-room-only audience of 6,000 gave a rousing applause.
"I think it is a great opportunity to show the world that Iran and Israel can stand together on the same stage and respect each other," said Geffen, 43. "People can talk, people can make music together and it's all fine. We've got no problem at all." ... "I think Shahin is one of the bravest artists I ever met," he said, before placing a hand on Najafi's shoulder and giving him a hug. "He is a friend of mine and I care about him."
I am very pleased to break that taboo. I do it in the name of art," Najafi, 36, said through a translator. "What art does is to get rid of the gaps and differences." ... Najafi is no stranger to controversy. He was forced to flee the Islamic Republic over a decade ago because of his activism and was later issued a death sentence for a song about a Shiite cleric that was deemed blasphemous. Now based in Germany, he still has a strong following among those opposed to the regime in Iran. ... "Life is in general dangerous and my situation is such that I believe in what I do and I am fighting for what I believe in ... and I am ready to die for it," said Najafi, sporting a beard, hair in a bun, dark sunglasses and a tattoo running up his right arm. "I am not representing anyone. I am representing myself and I see as my duty to support freedom, democracy and peace."
Iran’s Shahin Najafi and Israel’s Aviv Geffen Come Together in Song
NBC NEWS - March 3 , 2017
by Paul Goldman
TEL AVIV — Israel and Iran may not be on speaking terms but some of their citizens are breaking out in song together. Israeli rock star Aviv Geffen and his Iranian counterpart Shahin Najafi performed two pieces at a concert on Thursday night — alternating between Hebrew and Persian.
The crowd of some 6,000 packed into the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds clapped and cheered — and not just at the music. Fans erupted when Najafi stopped to read a message to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, who have both escalated anti-Iran rhetoric in recent months. "Stop the violence between people before it's too late. Let's stop dividing people," Najafi said.
"Israel is considered a taboo in Iran and I'm very pleased to break this taboo," Najafi said. ... "I do this in the name of art, freedom and democracy." ... "I believe in what I do and I'm fighting for what I believe in: For democracy, for freedom and for peace and I'm ready to die for it," Najafi said.
"For me it's a miracle to bring Shahin to Tel Aviv because of the history between Israel and Iran," 43-year-old Geffen said, referring to decades tensions between the two countries. ... "I think Shahin is one of the bravest artists I have ever met," he told NBC News before Thursday night's concert. ... "This is a great opportunity to show the world that Iran and Israel can stand together on the same stage and respect each other," Geffen said.
Whitney Houston, Iranian Rapper Docs Lead Tribeca 2017 Lineup
Rolling Stone - March 2 , 2017
By Jon Blistein
New documentaries on Whitney Houston, targeted Iranian rapper Shahin Najafi, notorious Republican operative Roger Stone and a deceased alt-right filmmaker will premiere at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, taking place April 19th through 30th.
Elsewhere, director Till Schauder will explore the career of Iranian MC Shahin Najafi in When God Sleeps. While Najafi's lyrics have drawn sharp criticism from religious clerics in his home country, the new film also examines his music against the backdrop of the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and rising Islamophobia across Europe.
WHEN GOD SLEEPS will premiere at the 2017 Tribeca International Film Festival
2017 Tribeca International Film Festival - March 02, 2017
“My songs didn’t make me famous. The fatwa did.” When God Sleeps unfolds against the backdrop of the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks in the Bataclan concert venue and European right-wing backlash against Middle-Eastern refugees. It deftly weaves the journey of exiled Iranian musician Shahin Najafi with historical context and intimate biographical detail, rooting the narrative in Najafi’s immediate and unavoidable reality, living under a fatwa issued against him by hardline Shiite clerics. As Najafi juggles a personal life and budding romance in Cologne, far from loved ones, with a professional career whose high profile may cost him his life, he spars with bandmates who are ambivalent about the peril his status places on their lives, and battles German police who refuse to see the death threat on his head as a legitimate danger. With camerawork that underlines the intimate aspect of this film, we bear witness to the life of an outspoken artist defying powerful men intent on silencing him.
—Cara Cusumano
WHEN GOD SLEEPS Winner for "Most Valuable Documentary of the Year"
Cinema for Peace - February 11, 2017
Till Schauder and Sara Nodjoumi: "Really excited to share that our film about Shahin Najafi, WHEN GOD SLEEPS, which hasn't premiered yet and isn't even completed, just won a "Most Valuable Documentary of the Year Award" from Cinema for Peace. Congratulations to the team!"
This Week in History
From Islamic Revolution to cultural resistance
The Economist - February 10, 2017
This week in 1979 the world ’s first Islamic Revolution toppled the ruling dynasty of Shah Reza Pahlavi in Iran. The intertwining of religion and state has been tough for some Iranians, but they are increasingly using culture as a means to protest against the regime.
Shahin Najafi is an Iranian musician who uses his music to speak out against the regime. He is in police protection in Germany. After writing one song which included lyrics about a shia cleric Shahin was sentenced to death by a senior ayatollah from the regime. He has a $100,000 bounty on his head.
Shahin Najafi: “Any art form that is seen as potentially critical of the country’s conservative religious traditions is prohibited in Iran. If you make pop music that is not critical you will be fine. However, if you address some of the issues in the country especially in terms of religion, political freedom and sexuality, your work can be very difficult.”
Exil-Iraner Kölner Musiker Shahin Najafi wird massiv bedroht
Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger - November 14, 2016
Von Uli Kreikebaum
Vor vier Jahren gaben Großmullahs den Musiker Shahin Najafi zum Abschuss frei. Jetzt wird der Kölner Exil-Iraner erneut massiv bedroht. Begegnung mit einem müden Rebellen, der sich nicht beugt
Ich rappe den Koran (I Rap The Quran)
Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger - January 27, 2016
Herr Najafi, am Freitag werden Sie im Alten Pfandhaus Ihr neues Projekt„Morgendämmerung“ präsentieren. Was erwartet das Publikum?Eine Stunde pure Musik, die manchmal emotional in die Sahara führt. Bei einigen Liedern wird sich das Publikum sehr glücklich fühlen, andere machen nachdenklich. »Morgendämmerung« ist wie ein Theaterstück, bei dem die Zuschauer ganz still zuhören. Außerdem werde ich etwas ganz Neues machen: Ich rappe den Koran.
Shahin Najafi lässt sich nicht den Mund verbieten
(Shahin Najafi Cannot be Silenced)
Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) - July 13, 2015
Der deutsch-iranische Musiker Shahin Najafi lebt seit ein paar Jahren mit der Angst, jederzeit von Fanatikern ermordet zu werden. Doch davon lässt er sich nicht einschüchtern.
Das gefährliche Lachen über den Islam
(A Dangerous Laugh at Islam)
Deutschlandradio Kultur - May 17, 2015
Von Antje Stiebitz
Der im deutschen Exil lebende iranische Rapper Shahin Najafi gilt als Blasphemiker. Er hat religiöse Gefühle im Iran verletzt, so sehen es zumindest einige Gläubige dort. Deshalb ist sein Leben in Gefahr – und das seiner Fans auch.
Shahin Najafi - Sha'aban
beehype - October 27, 2014
You rarely meet a musician who risks life because of his music. Iranian singer and poet Shahin Najafi was for to flee to Germany in 2004 – when he was 24 – after his country’s authorities apparently grew angry with his socially and politically loaded lyrics. But even from abroad he has continued his controversial commentary – which the song “Sha’aban” also represents.
Shahin Najafi: A man and his music
The Express Tribune - October 12, 2014
By Schayan Riaz
Shahin Najafi is commonly referred to as the ‘angry bard’, but those who’ve spoken to the artist know that he is anything but furious. On the contrary, the Iranian musician is soft-spoken with a raspy quality to his voice, assuring one that perhaps no other career choice would have been more suitable for him. While promoting his book When God is sleeping — a selection of his noteworthy song lyrics and poems along with autobiographical texts about his life — at the Berlin Literature Festival, he appears to have an almost resigned attitude to life, taking everything as it comes.
Wütender Barde der Trauer
The Angry Bard of Grie
International Literature Festival Berlin 2014 - September 19, 2014
Der iranische Musiker Shahin Najafi opponiert in seinen satirischen Liedtexten gegen die Gedankenunfreiheit im Iran. 2012 wurde gegen ihn aufgrund »blasphemischer« Inhalte seiner Lieder eine Todes-Fatwa verhängt. Seitdem lebt er in Deutschland und führt seinen musikalischen Kampf für Freiheit und Gerechtigkeit fort. Beim ilb spricht er über seine Rolle als Gesellschaftskritiker des Iran. »Shahin Najafi ist der wütende Barde der Trauer eines Volkes, das um seine Freiheit kämpft« (Omid Nouripour).
Poletik 44 - Shahin Najafi
Poletik - June 13, 2014
Shab Avaz - London Concert
Manoto1 - February 28, 2014
Shahin Najafi – iranischer Rebell und Musiker in Deutschland
(Shahin Najafi - Iranian Rebel and Musician in Germany)
Hessischer Rundfunk - May 25, 2013
Von dieser Zeit erzählt der junge, melancholische Dichter und Protestsongschreiber in "hr-iNFO Im Gespräch" - und wie sie ihn stark gemacht hat. Denn Shahin Najafi ist mittlerweile überzeugt, die Angst ist die Gefahr. Wer keine Angst hat, ist auch nicht in Gefahr, und absolute Sicherheit vor radikalen Islamisten kann er genauso wenig haben wie absolute Sicherheit im Straßenverkehr. Deshalb lässt er sich nicht mehr einschüchtern und macht als Künstler weiter – mehr denn je. Jetzt hat Shahin Najafi seine Geschichte samt Songtexten als Buch veröffentlicht ("Wenn Gott schläft", Kiwi-Verlag, 8,99 Euro).
"Ich muss noch aufpassen"
Westdeutscher Rundfunk - May 17, 2013
Von Fabian Wahl
"Ich bin so geblieben wie früher. Meine Themen sind weiter die Probleme in der Gesellschaft, Beziehungen und Unterdrückung. Es handelt sich aber um Kunst und keine Politik. Ich kann immer noch nicht verstehen, warum das Regime im Iran damit Probleme hat."
"Sie haben es nicht geschafft“ ("They have Failed")
Kölnische Rundschau - May 16, 2013
von Verena Schüller
Najafi zieht ein letztes Mal an seiner Zigarette, blickt eindringlich über seine Sonnenbrille und sagt: „Die wollten mich einschüchtern, die wollten mich blockieren, aber sie haben es nicht geschafft.“
Leben mit der Todes-Fatwa
(Living with the Death Fatwa)
Deutsche Welle - May 14, 2013
Seit einem Jahr lebt Shahin Najafi, ein junger Musiker aus dem Iran, mit der Todes-Fatwa. Sein Hit "Naghi" provozierte die islamische Geistlichkeit; im Internet wurde ein Kopfgeld ausgesetzt. Shahin Najafi lebte ein Jahr in Deutschland unter Polizeischutz. Jetzt kehrt er auf die Bühne zurück.
Wenn Gott schläft
(When God is Asleep -A Book by Shahin Najafi)
Kiepenheuer & Witsch - May 10, 2013
Mein Leben, mein Land, der Iran, meine Songs und Gedichte
Ein Buch von Shahin Najafi
Verlag :Kiepenheuer & WitschMit
Einem Vorwort und Erläuterungen von Omid Nouripour und einem Geleitwort von Günter Wallraff.
Einer Auswahl seiner wichtigsten Songtexte und Gedichte, erstmals übersetzt ins Deutsche ... kann man nun mehr erfahren: über Najafis Weg vom frommen Koranrezitator zum Rapper und Regimekritiker, über seine Auseinandersetzung mit der Religion und über sein Leben im deutschen Exil. ... einen tiefen Einblick in das Innere der heutigen iranischen Gesellschaft. Ein wichtiges Dokumenteines mutigen politischen Kampfes für Freiheit und Gerechtigkeit.
"Wenn es den Gott gibt, dann schläft er" ("If there is a God, then He Must be Asleep")
Deutschlandradio Kultur - May 10, 2013
Moderator: Dieter Kassel
Ich denke sehr häufig an die Sachen, und zwar nicht nur in Bezug auf den Iran, sondern auch darüber hinaus, was den Nahen und Mittleren Osten angeht, und da stelle ich mir die Frage: Gibt es dort überhaupt einen Ausweg? Und da habe ich selber Angst davor, mir selber auf diese Frage eine Antwort zu geben.
Das Buch - Jan Drees
Jetzt Sueddeutsche - May 9, 2013
Diesen Freitag erscheint "Wenn Gott schläft", das erste Buch von Shahin Najafi, der 2012 mit einer Todes-Fatwa bedroht worden ist. Damals musste sich der Musiker vor radikalislamischen Rächern verstecken. Inzwischen tritt er wieder weltweit auf und spricht über Männerquoten an iranischen Unis, Partys in Teheran, über seine Anfangsjahre im Exil und warum er sich für Frauenrechte einsetzt.
Shahin Najafi's Interview with Deutsche Welle farsi about his new book When God is Asleep
Deutsche Welle - May 9, 2013
Obwohl Shahin Najafi vor einem Jahr eine Fatwa von 100000 Dollar auferlegt wurde, schweigt der Rapper nicht. Weiterhin kritisiert er durch Gesang die iranische Gesellschaft, Probleme und Politik.
Shahin Najafi on the Perils of Being an Artist in Iran
Jadaliyya - Nov 14, 2012
by Shiva Bayat
Iranian musician and songwriter Shahin Najafi describes himself as an artist who shows no mercy to any group or any part of the political spectrum. In his work nothing appears to be sacred; his lyrics constantly question political authoritarianism, social injustice, ideological dogmas, and cultural taboos.
BBC persian TV Hard Talk with Shahin Najafi
BBC Persian - August 14, 2012
Iranian Rapper Faces Fatwa -
The Case of Shahin Najafi
Deutsche Welle - Jun 14, 2012
Iranian rapper Shahin Najafi has gone into hiding after being denounced as a heretic by religious scholars. A death warrant has been issued against him, and the 31-year-old is now living in a secret location in Germany. He has been accused of offending an imam in his latest song "Naghi."
Artist in hiding speaks to Q
CBC Radio One - June 6, 2012
Interview by Jian Ghomeshi
Iranian-born, German-based rapper Shahin Najafi has been in hiding for weeks. One of his songs, a satire about the Iranian regime, raised the ire of religious leaders who deemed Najafi an apostate, a crime punishable by death in Iran. He spoke with Jian last week from hiding in Germany.
Killerspiel: Töte den Apostaten
Christliches Medienmagazin pro - June 5, 2012
"Schuss auf den Apostaten" heißt das Killerspiel, zu dessen Herunterladen die staatliche iranische Nachrichtenagentur "Farsnews" laut der Zeitung "Berliner Morgenpost" ausdrücklich aufruft. Und der Name ist Programm. Mit Mausklicks können Nutzer auf den immer wieder hinter einem Hindernis auftauchenden Najafi schießen. Der feuert zurück. Ziel ist es, den Musiker möglichst oft zu treffen, bevor er den Spieler selbst durch Schüsse tötet.
"Fundamentalists Can't Take a Joke"
Spiegel Online International - May 28, 2012
Interview conducted by Georg Bönisch and Tobias Rapp
"I believe in freedom, I'm for a world without borders. But that's an ideal. On a practical level, I'm for a secular state where religion only plays a minor role. In Western categories, I'd probably be a social democratic pragmatist with anarchist tendencies. The most important element of democracy, I believe, is the protection of minorities."
"Eine Fatwa ist ja kein Ratschlag" ("A Fatwa is Not a Piece of Advice")
Frankfurter Allgemeine - May 23, 2012
Interview conducted by S. Mohammad Oreyzi and Andreas Rossmann
"Ich lebe den Menschen eine Freiheit vor, die sie auch wollen, und statte sie mit Mut aus. Auch weil ich in meinen Liedern Literatur- und Jugendsprache miteinander verbinde. Davon fühlen sich viele junge Menschen aufgefordert, das erfahren sie als Energie."
'Blasphemous' rapper Shahin Najafi goes into hiding after Iran's hardline clerics put a $100,000 bounty on his head
The Independent - May 17, 2012
by Tony Paterson
The singer denied the song was meant as a criticism of Islam, but insisted: "I will never apologise for my art or for speaking the truth about the Iranian government."
Iranian Rapper Shahin Najafi Faces $100K Bounty, Death Threats Over Song
MTV News - May 17, 2012
by Carter Maness
Shahin Najafi, an Iranian-born rapper that currently resides in Germany, is no stranger to controversy, but a recent track entitled "Naghi" has taken it to a new level. The song, which mocks the 10th Shiite imam, Ali al-Hadi al-Naqi, has resulted in a $100,000 bounty on his life from an Islamist website.
Iranian Rapper Fears for His Life After Fatwa
The Wall Street Journal - May 16, 2012
by Farnaz Fassihi
Mr. Najafi says he doesn't regret the song and refuses to apologize, arguing that invoking a saint's name is a freedom of expression and not a religious insult. "Each person has to pay a price for what they want. I will never apologize for my art and for speaking the truth about Iran's government," said Mr. Najafi.
Todesdrohung wegen Rap
Christliches Medienmagazin pro - May 14, 2012
Mit der Freiheit der Meinungsäußerung ist es im Iran nicht weit her. Weil ein in Köln lebender iranischer Rapper ein Lied über einen vor 1.000 Jahren verstorbenen Imam geschrieben und sich bei Facebook über ihn lustig gemacht hat, wird er aus dem Iran mit dem Tode bedroht.
Rapper Faces Death Threats in Iran Over Song
The New York Times - May 14, 2012
by Thomas Erdbrink
“I thought there would be some ramification, but I didn’t think it would upset the regime that much. Now they are taking advantage of the situation and making it look like I was trying to criticize religion and put down believers.”
Iranian rapper draws Shi'ite wrath, death bounty
Reuters - May 14, 2012
An Iranian rapper living in Germany has a $100,000 bounty on his head after an Islamist website offered a reward for anyone who kills him over a song that satirizes the Islamic Republic and irreverently addresses a historic religious figure.
Iranian rapper faces death threats and fatwa for 'blasphemous' song
The Guardian - May 14, 2012
by Saeed Kamali Dehghan
"For me it is more of an excuse to talk about completely different things. I also criticise Iranian society in the song. It seems as though people are just concentrating on the word 'imam'."
„Ich habe kein normales Leben mehr"
Die Tageszeitung - May 12, 2012
von Daniel Bax
"Ich bin kein Rapper, schon gar kein Gangsta-Rapper. Ich mache Jazz, Rock und mache eben auch Rap. Ich sehe mich als gesellschaftskritischen, nicht als politischen Musiker, denn ich fühle mich keiner politischen Gruppierung zugehörig."
Rapper Shahin Najafi Rejects Criticism
Deutsche Welle - May 11, 2012
Interview: Shahram Ahadi/sb Editor: Richard Connor
Iran's grand ayatollah has issued what many have interpreted to be a fatwa against the rapper Shahin Najafi, who has lived in Germany for the past seven years. In an interview, Najafi gives DW his take on the situation.
Cleric calls for death sentence against 'apostate' Iranian rapper
The Express Tribune - May 10, 2012
by Web Desk
For Iranian rap singer and activist, Shahin Najafi, criticisms and bans are something that have defined his
short, yet extremely popular musical career. However, even he would not have imagined that his music would
ever win him a death sentence, let alone awards.
