JRL NEWSWATCH: “Putin on Rap Music: It’s the Drugs That Really Bother Him” – New York Times/ Andrew E. Kramer

File Photo of Vladimir Putin at Podium with United Russia Logo, Gesturing

“Told that rap and hip-hop have grown wildly popular among Russian youth, and that … lyrics are rebellious, mention drugs and include many swear words … Putin mused about banning the music outright … then suggested … he might try to control it. ‘If it is impossible to stop, then we need to lead, and in an appropriate way, direct’ rap and hip-hop, … Putin told a council of his cultural advisers …. Last month, the police arrested Dmitri Kuznetsov … rapper … Husky … perform[ing] atop a parked car … in a southern Russian city after his concert was banned for what local prosecutors called extremist content. Several other concerts were … canceled …. [R]ap’s vulgarity was less … a concern to … Putin … [himself] known on occasion to dip into the Russian language’s rich trove of profanities in … public comments ….”

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[featured image is file photo from another occasion]

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