Vladimir Putin wants to ‘control’ rap music in Russia

Russian president Vladimir Putin wants to control rap music in the country, saying it is a path to the “degradation of the nation”. 

Alarmed by the growing popularity of rap music among Russian youth, President Vladimir Putin wants cultural leaders to devise a means of controlling popular music.

If it is impossible to stop, then we must lead it and direct it, Mr Putin said.

The Russian leader told cultural advisers at a Kremlin meeting on Saturday that attempts to ban artists from performing will either have an adverse effect and bolster their popularity, however, they have to crack down.

Mr Putin argued that “rap is based on three pillars: sex, drugs and protest.”

But he is particularly concerned with drug themes prevalent in rap, saying “this is a path to the degradation of the nation.”

He then claimed “drug propaganda” is worse than cursing.

Putin’s comments come amid a crackdown on contemporary music that evoked Soviet-era censorship of the arts.