"I haven’t seen the reaction of the society as we do not appear anywhere as a rapper! We are all invisible! But people are divided in two groups; those who accept us and those who see us as social abnormalities."
Z.Z: Ghogha how are you and what are you up to?
Ghogha: I’m alive and living.
Z.Z: How long after releasing your first song, did you hear your own song without people knowing that it was yours? How did you feel about it?
Ghogha: My first work, by the name of “Roya-ye Aabi”, which didn’t have a mature style and I was only sight reading on it, was first released three years ago and people liked it. This is as the lyric was emotional. At that time Persian rap wasn’t even known and all the songs were distributed through internet. When I see or hear that someone out there knows me and likes my music, it gives me a good feeling and makes me happy.
Z.Z: Who makes your beats and are you involved in writing and arrangements of your songs?
Ghogha: Initially it wasn’t that serious. I was singing on foreign covers. Later on I started working with different producers like my dear friends Reza, Fred, and DelAvar. At the moment I work with Ali8.
Z.Z: Do you play any instrument?
Ghogha: I used to play drums. But because of studies and not having enough time I’m not playing it anymore.
Z.Z: In United States there are groups of rappers that divided themselves into East and West Coast. Is there any such division in Iran?
Ghogha: Here we have series of copycats not rappers and yes it exists and I’m totally against it and I do not belong to any gangs or sides.
Z.Z: Is there any unity between these gangs or like in the United States there is a cold war of words or occasionally also the warm kind?
Ghogha: There are lots of diss songs which is just crap and bullshit. In here, sentiments are ruling and everyone just talks. In my opinion the groups and gangs should be united because the Persian rap is under enough pressure from every possible side.
Z.Z: If you want to compare the level of Persian rap to the level of rest of the world, where would Persian Rap stands?
Ghogha: In my opinion the guys are doing the best they can, considering the limitations they have. With all these pressures (i.e. limitations) the result is magnificent. I hope that Persian rap gets a world wide presence.
Z.Z: What changes in Persian rap would you like to see that is not happening?
Ghogha: To speak freely…
Z.Z: One of your last works “Joft Giri” (Mating) is in cooperation with the Eight band, can you talk little bit about it?
Ghogha: This song was sort of an improvisation and it was all Ali’s and my feelings at that very moment. I had been thinking about what the nature of love is for quite a while. And those are all my thoughts about it (i.e. in the song). Whether (they are) right or wrong.
Z.Z: You and Mana were in the process of preparing an album. How is it coming?
Ghogha: It got canceled.
Z.Z: Being a female rapper in Iran, what problems does it bring to you? Is there any advantage in being a female rapper?
Ghogha: What a repetitive question! When your voice is forbidden and your style is banned, for sure it’s not easy. Not even it didn’t have an advantage but it caused limitation too…!
Z.Z: When female’s voice in Iran as a solo vocalist is not possible to be released or to get permission for, what was Iranian society’s reaction to you as a female and rapper?
Ghogha: I haven’t seen the reaction of the society as we do not appear anywhere as a rapper! We are all invisible!
But people are divided in two groups; those who accept us and those who see us as social abnormalities.
But what is evident is that rap shows the reality of a society very direct and with no mercy!
The thing that our generation is not a follower of the Iranian culture anymore and that they are attracted to drugs and all their life became smoking, girls, and sex… these all are the reality of our society!
Z.Z: With a song like “Ghogha-ye Aafarinesh” [Rebel of Creation] do you see yourself as breaking traditions and taboos?
Ghogha: Why did you have this perception? The subject is something else!
In that song, I satirized the humanity from its creation till now! I splurged the sacred things and I said that the birth of each person demonstrates that God is still hopeful in humans! But he [human] is still greedier than before and ruining all the natures in the planet. He is, through the help of natural laws… ruining the nature! Human is intending to change everything in his own favor and is a law breaker!! Human is the “Ghogha-ye Aafarinesh”.
Z.Z: In comparison to other rappers and the time you started rapping, you don’t have many songs. Is there any specific reason?
Ghogha: I believe in quality not quantity! I try to have perfection in my works, even if it’s not many!
Z.Z: What’s your future plan?
Ghogha: At this moment I’m cooperating with the Eight Group. My intention is to work on a rock/hip hop style. I love fusion.
Z.Z: Do you have a website or a way of communication so people can get to know you better? And how can they send you their feedbacks?
Ghogha: Honestly… no! I don’t think I’m that professional to have a personal website!
My music is distributed by temporary links through different websites, and each of them has its own fan base.
Z.Z: As a last question, if you want to name your favorite book what it would be?
Ghogha: “The Veil and the Male Elite”.
Z.Z: Ghogha thanks for giving us your time.
