Yas, born Yaser Bakhtiari in 1982 in Tehran, is heralded as the trailblazer for Persian rap, being the first to gain official approval to perform in Iran. His artistry is deeply influenced by Persian poetry and the legendary American rapper Tupac Shakur. At the age of 16, Yas's exposure to hip hop was significantly shaped when his father, returning from travels, brought back Tupac CDs. This ignited Yas's passion for the genre.
Yas Influence
Yas's trailblazing efforts have opened doors for aspiring rappers in Iran, a country where musical expression was once heavily restricted. By breaking barriers, he has inspired a new generation of artists to voice their perspectives on societal and economic disparities.
Yas And Tech N9ne Collaboration
In 2014, Yas partnered with American rapper Tech N9ne to produce the groundbreaking rap video 'Sound of Unity'. This collaboration, one of the most prominent between U.S. and Iranian artists, symbolizes a powerful cultural exchange, highlighting the unifying power of music.