Russian Rap and its Anti-War Campaigns
- John Vandevert
- Mar 7, 2022
- 2 min read
As we all know, the ongoing "invasion" (only used as quotations because some of us, including many high-level officials of European and Asian origin consider this war fallible despite the obvious proof against their doubts) into Ukraine by the Putin regime has all but destroyed the (tenuous) harmony between Ukraine and Russia for the extended future. However, what has occurred within the Russian rap community is incredibly interesting, as many have come out and shown their support for Ukraine. But it's not that simple of course.
There is a large difference between showing your support for Ukraine and being against the war that Putin has voluntarily begun, although many would argue it was prompted by the Ukrainian interest in joining NATO. I won't speculate here what is or is not accurate, nor the historical argument which is itself irrelevant as it would undermine every country on Earth. Several concerts, campaigns, and statements have been released by rappers, all which espouse an anti-war narrative. But I urge you to critically examine between the lines and see if they are espousing pro-Ukrainian narratives as well. These are not mutually related and do stand on their own, their coalition the result of improper merger of logos and pathos.
Below, I have listed some of the recent statements, songs, initiatives, and reporting that some Russian rappers have released in the past few weeks, as it's fascinating (in a morbid and all-together sorrowful way, although tinged with hope) to see which rappers have come and shown their political views in an open fashion, although again this is not estranged from the Russian rap scene at all. It's also worthwhile to note who has not voiced their opinions yet, and time will tell if they will raise their voice. Many "mainstream" rappers of a younger orientation have stayed silent, leaving one to think about the motivation behind their silence.
Rap Against War! (Hip-Hop.ru)
"Right to self-determination," they profess, must be protected and upheld as a unshakable and sanctified human right. I am glad to see this campaign in Russia. i urge you to sign the petition even if you do not find yourself in Russia. The end-result of this I am not sure, but the fact that the Russian rap community is mobilizing is a good sign enough to show where their politics lie. Rap will never be owned by Putin.
Hundred Years War (Noize MC, 2021)
Released back in December of 2021 on his album "Exit to the City," this banging rock-centered track depicts the "100 Years War" (technically 116 years) between England and France, of which its most famous heroine Jean D'Arc suffered her notorious fate at the hands of the British. Using biblical and historical metaphors in impeccable manners, this legendary rapper (whose political views have underscored his entire career) showcases the sardonic uselessness of war and its laughable infectivity.
Announced back in February 26, the Oxford-educated rapper Oksimiron, whose eloquence has left him in the liminal space of 'Russian' but not 'truly' Russian and Russian rapper but sophisticated to a fault, announced he would be cancelling his upcoming concerts in Ukraine. He has never been shy to voice his views on a myriad of issues especially political. Thus, when he stated, "I know that most people in Russia are against this war," I cannot help but feel that Oksimiron is the Russian rap equivalent of Glinka. He galvanizes the Russian spirit and combines their hearts and minds to a single, unified whole. Glinka with his operas, and Oksimiron with his rap.
This list wouldn't be complete without a counterpoint to the anti-war sentiments above. While finding some sources for this blog-post, I quickly realized that the movements to voice the correct view (of course that being anti-war, who in their right mind would infer that war is something laudable?) is not ubiquitous, and rather in the Russian world it is very much contended with a vocal minority. One article, published just two days ago, began with this monstrous headline, "Why did Russian rappers betray the country? Now they oppose the war and stand in solidarity with Kiev." Upsetting enough as it is with the erroneous word "betray" is the fact that some Russian rappers including Morgenshtern, although I suspect Timati as well, are very much for this war. However, the grosser majority of rappers have voiced their support for the conclusion of this needless conflict including Feduk, NILETTO, Eljay, Max Korzh, and MARKUL. The mobilization of these young rapper-activists is inspiring.
Further, Russian bloggers and Youtubers have also shown their anti-war views like Tatyana Mingalimova and Yuri Dud, while Western companies like IKEA, Visa, Apple, and Google are leaving the country and taking their business elsewhere. YouTube has also taken up some activism as well by blocking the state-funded news network RT and Sputnik, two terribly bias sources of news, although Putin's new ban on Facebook, limitations on Twitter, and outright censorship on news coverage indicating the invasion as such in a newly passed law that bestows upon the supposed criminal 15 years. The speaker of the lower house of Russian Parliament made this hilariously ironic statement, "I want everyone to understand, and for society to understand, that we are doing this to protect our soldiers and officers, and to protect the truth." Protecting "truth" is what has initiated war throughout time!
So much has already been said and far from me to weigh in politically. But the mobilization of the Russian rap community to the side of cosmopolitanism is a refreshing move in the right direction. Once Putin's Russia has dissolved into a historical footnote and democracy instated (hopefully), Russian rap will be there to parody, chastise, galvanize, and celebrate.
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