Yaser Bakhtiari (Persian: یاسر بختیاری, born 1982 in Tālesh, Iran) better known by his stage name Yas (یاس), is an Iranian rapper. He wears a Faravahar pendant, a symbol of Iranian nationalism and Zoroastrianism.[1][2][3][4]
On 21 December 2011 Yas was chosen by the voters as the Artist of the Week in MTV IGGY[5] Entitled Tehran’s Hard-Hitting MC.[6]
Yas is one of the founders of Persian rap, and in 2013 he became the first Iranian rapper to be allowed by the Islamic Republic to legally perform in Iran.[7]
Early life
Yas first began to listen to rap music at the age of 14 his father returned from his business trip in Germany and brought him the latest Tupac album and other hip-hop songs and he was heavily influenced by them. After the sudden death of his father, he was faced with the responsibility of becoming the primary caretaker of his household with his father's debts to pay.[8] Yas was forced to leave his college ambitions behind and begin to work and support his entire family. It was at this time that he began to write poetry which soon turned into lyrics for his music.[9]
Music career
Yas started his work after the 2003 Bam earthquake. Devastated by the disaster, it was then, that he wrote his first song "Bam". This was the beginning of his rapping career.[10] Yas in 2006 made a song called CD Ro Beshkan (Break The Disk) which was written about actress Zahra Amir Ebrahimi in Iran who was the victim of a Sex scandal tape. The scandal ultimately ended her career. In the song, Yas criticizes the people for playing a role in her demise and asked everyone to stop spreading her shame and to get rid of the footage from their computers and cellphones. The song was listened to and downloaded by millions in Iran alone.[11]
Yas in June 2008 made a song called Hoviate Man [my identity] describing his pride in his Iranian heritage and mention of the controversial 300 film.[12] Yas in 2008 made and wrote a song named "Darkam Kon" (Understand me). Yas's music was a protest against the government and for poverty and people who can't find jobs.
Yas performing in 2018.
In May 2011 Yas made a song called "Az Chi Begam" (What Can I Say)[13] which is a protest song for those schoolchildren who suffered from a fire in addition to injustice and misery, like their fellow countrymen. Yas criticizes the negligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in providing substandard facilities,[14] in this case, a very old oil burning heater, which caused eight 7-year-old schoolchildren burned in Doroudzan village’s school disaster.
In 2013 he became the first rapper authorized to perform by the Iranian government.[15] In 2014 Yas decided to cooperate with Tech N9ne. The pair are the first rappers from Iran and the United States to work together musically. Their single was titled "The Sound of Unity" which was released along with a Music video.[16][17]
Manner
Yas, who raps in Persian, states he was heavily influenced as a young man by Tupac Shakur albums brought back to Iran by his father, as well as the Classical Persian poetry especially Rumi. He is one of the few Persian rappers who do not use any swear words in their song[18]
Yas theme songs are the social problems. Yas’ accomplishments paved the way for new rappers to perform in Iran.[19]
Media appearances
Yas in 2018
Yas signed a contract with an American music publishing company Modiba. IEvergreen Publishing is also the home of the late Tupac Shakur catalog who has granted permission for a mashup song between Yas and Tupac.[citation needed]
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