Hichkas


Soroush Lashkari, known professionally as Hichkas, is an Iranian rapper and singer-songwriter. Credited with popularizing Persian hip hop to the Iranian people and other Persian-speaking countries such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan, Hichkas' national success and acclaimed works are widely regarded as having broken the barriers that were in place by the Islamic regime for the acceptance of rappers in popular music. Hichkas is considered one of the pioneers of Iranian hip hop and is nicknamed "Father of Persian Rap" by his fans. He became a representation of the Iranian underclass and reflected the angst of young Iranians. He has been influential for many artists of various genres and is often cited as one of the greatest rappers of Iranian hip hop.
Hichkas is also the founder of the label 021 which is considered the first Persian hip hop group. After that, he founded the labels Saamet, and Moltafet. Hichkas' songs are themed around social and cultural issues in Iran and his lyrical ability and influence pervade the hip-hop and rap genre, placing him at the forefront of contemporary Iranian music, inspiring a new generation of Iranian songwriters and artists. Hichkas' first album Jangale Asfalt was the first Iranian hip-hop album released in 2005. Hichkas' early releases combined traditional Persian instruments and urban beats to create a hybrid genre, a combination of East and West.
In addition to performance, Hichkas' work further spans into art direction, production, and artist development, working closely with up-and-coming artists, providing mentoring and coaching, and consistently being the inspiration behind many Iranian urban artists. He has appeared as a guest speaker at many universities including Oxford University, Cambridge University, and University of Calgary discussing Iranian poetry, the Iranian underground music scene, and the effects of the Internet on music publishing in Iran.
Hichkas has collaborated with a number of international hip hop artists, including American hip hop artist Kool G Rap. His highly anticipated second album Mojaz was released in March 2020, 8 years after its initial announcement.

Early life

Soroush Lashkari was born on 9 May 1985, in Tehran, Iran and is the son of a family of five. He lived in Germany until he was two years old and then lived in the Vanak neighborhood of Tehran. He was studying translation at Garmsar University but dropped out of college for personal reasons and in order to pursue Persian hip hop. His father is from the Ziaabad village of Qazvin and has a family relationship with Hossein Lashkari. Hichkas currently lives in London after emigrating to Great Britain in the aftermath of the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests. He is married to the British-based Iranian feminist activist Azadeh Akbari.
In his early years, Hichkas was known for founding a supergroup called 021. Around 2003, he started his music career in the Vanak neighborhood, participating in Persian free-styling with people who also covered some English language songs in rap battles. Hichkas gained attention when he began rapping in Persian about social problems and the younger generation in Iran. Hichkas' early releases combined traditional Iranian instruments and urban beats to create a hybrid genre, a combination of East and West.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Jangale Asfalt
#TitleproducerTime
1IntroMahdyar Aghajani1:22
2Dideh va DelMahdyar Aghajani4:51
3EkhtelafMahdyar Aghajani3:42
4Man VaistadamMahdyar Aghajani4:06
5Moghaddameh GhanoonMahdyar Aghajani0:31
6GhanoonMahdyar Aghajani4:10
7Vatan ParastMahdyar Aghajani4:14
8Oon ManamMahdyar Aghajani3:39
9BarpaMahdyar Aghajani3:13
10ZendanMahdyar Aghajani3:30
11Dideh va Del - RemixMahdyar Aghajani3:50

  • Mojaz
#TitleProducerTime
1RosvaMahdyar Aghajani4:40
2To Koja Boodi?Mahdyar Aghajani3:55
3Sakhte Mosalmoon BoodanMahdyar Aghajani3:15
4Ghazi Mano Doost DashtMahdyar Aghajani3:40
5Man Kiam?Mahdyar Aghajani5:54
6Chera Nemimiri?Mahdyar Aghajani, Hekmat4:41
7Az Ashnayitoon KhoshhalamMahdyar Aghajani4:44
8Khalafkaraye AsliMahdyar Aghajani, Hekmat4:06
9Shabi GorgaMahdyar Aghajani, Hekmat5:31
10Teroreshoon KonMahdyar Aghajani3:16
11Jadval o RoyaMahdyar Aghajani3:42
12Sheytoone MigeMahdyar Aghajani, Hassan3:14
13Ye MaksMahdyar Aghajani, Hassan3:56
14Ki Mige?Mahdyar Aghajani2:44
15Mahze MokhalefatMahdyar Aghajani3:21
16Va ZirMahdyar Aghajani1:44

Compilation albums

  • Anjām Vazife produced by Mahdyar Aghajani

    International collaborations

  • Young N Foolish produced by Mahdyar Aghajani
  • "Long Live Palestine, Part II" produced by Nutty P

    As featured artist

  • "Boro Jolo"
  • "Divoone"
  • "Long Live Palestine, Part II" produced by Nutty P
  • "Chera Badi?" produced by Alireza JJ
  • "Chi Shenidi?"

    Single

2024