May 2, 2024 at 12:46 p.m. EDT
A banner featuring rapper Toomaj Salehi’s image hangs prominently from a Tehran highway overpass, as seen in a video shared on Telegram.
Off-camera, a woman recites lyrics from Salehi’s 2021 breakout hit, criticizing authorities: “Forced officer, forced executioner, one who just follows orders, go find a rat hole.”
The video surfaced online on April 24, coinciding with Salehi’s death sentence for “spreading corruption on the Earth,” linked to his backing of the anti-government protests in late 2022. Salehi, a bold voice of dissent within Iran, had become an emblem of resistance, making him a target during the regime’s crackdown.
The international community swiftly responded to his dire situation. The United Nations, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and the Recording Academy all issued statements in support of Salehi. Analysts noted the severity of Salehi’s case as a testament to his profound cultural influence.
Rapper Toomaj Salehi films a music video for his song “Pichak” in 2022 in Iran. (Courtesy of Toomaj Salehi)
Iranian leaders perceive Salehi as “a national security threat,” according to Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Middle East programs, who interviewed Toomaj as part of her research on Gen Z Iranians. She characterized his music as a potent tool that challenges the fundamental structures of the clerical establishment.
Salehi gained widespread attention in September 2021 with his song “Rat Hole,” which openly critiqued the Islamic Republic and its authoritative governance.
In his lyrics, he declared, “If you play in the middle and ask, ‘What is politics?’/ Know that we don’t have a vote to abstain./ Nobody can be neutral in this battle.”
His bold stance attracted a wave of supporters but also drew scrutiny from Iran’s security forces, leading to his arrest shortly after the song’s release. Despite this, Salehi persisted, releasing music and videos that showcased his identity, often from undisclosed locations within Iran.
Nahid Siamdoust, an assistant professor specializing in media and Middle East studies at the University of Texas at Austin, remarked, “No musician has been as bold and outspoken as him… even those with safety outside the country.”
Salehi’s upbringing in Isfahan by Bakhtiari parents, an ethnic minority in Iran’s southwest, shaped his worldview. Introduced to rap by his brother and influenced by Tupac Shakur, Salehi’s passion for martial arts and boxing also informed his direct and assertive style in music.
He hails from a family of activists, with his father having endured eight years of imprisonment as a leftist political prisoner during Iran’s revolutionary era in the 1980s.
Salehi during filming of his “Pichak” music video in Iran. (Courtesy of Toomaj Salehi)
In Iran, where rap is prohibited, the emergence of the “rap-e farsi” genre began in the 1990s. However, this scene remains entirely underground, posing financial challenges for artists.
Holly Dagres remarked on Salehi’s dedication, noting how he sold personal belongings, including his motorcycle, to fund his music—an indication of his profound passion for both the genre and Iran.
Right from the start, Salehi’s music delved into political themes, addressing women’s rights, government corruption, economic issues, and child labor.
His song “Rat Hole,” with its focus on regime change discourse, sparked a shift in conversations within Iran and became a rallying cry for the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement.
Navid, a Tehran resident and protest participant, lauded Salehi’s courage in directly confronting Iran’s leaders, symbolizing resilience against oppression.
When the women-led protests erupted in September 2022 following Mahsa Amini’s tragic death, Salehi responded with songs like “Battlefield” and “Divination,” championing freedom and solidarity.
After Salehi’s arrest, a state propaganda campaign ensued, vilifying him as an organizer of demonstrations. He faced forced confessions, torture, and a controversial death sentence by a revolutionary court.
Despite these tribulations, Salehi’s resolve remained strong. He spoke out against his mistreatment, shedding light on the brutalities he endured in custody.
Navid expressed admiration for Salehi’s defiance, describing him as a national hero whose plight resonated with diverse protest movements across Iran.
On a recent release, Salehi’s friend Afrasiab echoed support for his cause, emphasizing that Salehi’s spirit embodies a nation’s unyielding quest for freedom and justice.