Salome

Iran

Finalist of the 2010 Freedom to Create Prize

Salome, one of the very few female rappers in Iran, is keen to clarify that she is not a feeble woman struggling to fight for her right to sing in a country where arts and culture are heavily restricted, especially for female performers. “I am not going to complain about how it is hard to be a female rapper in Iran,” she says. She wants to be recognised for the values she is promoting through her music and for expressing herself creatively, and not simply as “a struggling woman in an oppressive society”. She is aware of the dangers of expressing herself, but does not let them affect her music. Salome says that she has found shelter in poetry and rhythm. She raps and makes videos about the suppression in her country not out of disrespect, but to lead it towards a better, more open future. She loves Iran and her people and does not take kindly to strangers criticising her country.

Salome's lyrics focus on social injustice, war, female empowerment and peace. She openly discusses the problems in Iranian society and invites her people to cooperate and respect human rights. Restricted from performing publicly in Iran, Salome has launched her music career on the internet where her YouTube and MySpace videos inspire and give courage to other female voices. Salome believes she is not exposing herself to any personal risk through her music. She is conservative in her public conduct and believes she is safe from scrutiny or questions from the State as long as she maintains certain standards of behaviour.