Uran is a bit softer than steel

Uran is an Azerbaijani rap musician and the agency Bruketa&Žinić OM Baku made the visual identity and cover for his new album Open Mic

Uran is a bit softer than steel, but only in the periodic table of elements. It is in fact the name an Azerbaijani rap musician, much tougher than steel. Born in 1983 in the village of Sheki, he wrote his first rap rhymes when he was 17.

Believe it or not, Azerbaijani people have rap in their blood. While the Americans were dancing foxtrot, waltz and tango in the 20-ies (The Roaring Twenties as they call them), the Azerbaijanis created Meykhana – recognizable literary, folk-rap tradition called the national rap by the locals. It consists of one or more singers who recite the rhymes with or without instruments – synthesizers, rhythm machines, even a live band.

Meykhana masters write, memorize and improvise the rhymes that usually criticize negative social phenomena. The word itself comes from the Persian word for tavern or pub, and it’s composed of two words – wine and house. Winehouse, only without Amy :)

Just to illustrate:

So it’s not unusual at all that in Azerbaijan one can hear some good rap music, especially with Ibrahim Ibrahimov – Uran, who wrote his first rap at almost 17 and became known in 2004 with his first single “Spid Virusu Düşüb Mənə”. He has released three albums by now.