Founders of Persian Rap: Dariya & Sorena, Two Influential Brothers in the History of Iranian Music
Dariya and Sorena Montaser, two brothers from the first generation of Persian rap, introduced rap to Iran in 1999 and are recognized as the founders of this musical genre in the country. Their influence on the Persian rap scene has been so profound that many prominent artists in this style, including Pishro and Hichkas, have benefited from collaborations with them.
The First Steps of Persian Rap
In 1999, Dariya and Sorena released an album titled “Ghodrat Dast Mast” (“The Power is Ours”), which can be considered the first amateur Persian rap album. This work was released at a time when rap was just beginning to take shape and enter Iran’s music scene.
In April 2006, the first official Persian rap album, titled “Shahre Gomshodeh” (“The Lost City”), was released by these two brothers. This album was a milestone in the history of Persian rap music. Just six months after its release, Hichkas’s album “Jangale Asphalt” (“Asphalt Jungle”) hit the market, demonstrating the direct impact Dariya and Sorena had on the evolution of this musical genre.
In 2005, Dariya collaborated with Emad to release the first Persian pop-rap music, pioneering a new style in Iranian music. Additionally, they organized the first official Persian rap concert on Yalda Night 2008, attended by over 2,000 people, establishing themselves as pioneers of live rap performances in Iran.
One of the most significant controversies involving Dariya and Sorena in Persian rap was their feud with the group Zedbazi, which included Saman Wilson, Mehrad Hidden, and Sohrab MJ. This conflict eventually reached a resolution. A fascinating fact about this feud is that Reza Pishro, known at the time as “Reza 3pac,” was a member of Dariya and Sorena’s group, “Fight Club.” Through this beef and diss tracks against Zedbazi, Pishro was introduced to Persian rap on a larger scale and continued the battle thanks to his association with Dariya and Sorena.
Dariya and Sorena also had a good relationship with Soroush Hichkas, who mentioned Dariya as his friend in the song “Bax Soroush.” Later, in the track “Manam Hamintor” (“Me Too”), Hichkas dissed both Dariya and Zedbazi, mentioning Dariya’s name in the second part of the track. Over the years, despite many changes, the relationship between Dariya and Sorena with Hichkas improved and remains amicable. Notably, Dariya and Sorena chose not to respond to Hichkas’s diss, which accelerated the reconciliation process.
In the song “Hadaf” (“The Goal”) from the album “Shabhaye Gomshodeh” (“The Lost Nights”), Sorena used a syllabic rhyme style. Hichkas acknowledged this creativity by referencing the same rhyme in his track “Barpaa” (“Rise”) from the “Jangale Asphalt” album: “Pas mosalaman man moslaham ghaafiyam mesle mosallasan…” (“So certainly I’m reformed; my rhymes are like triangles…”). This mutual respect and creative acknowledgment were hallmarks of early Persian rap.
International Achievements
Sorena Montaser, one of the two brothers, became the first Iranian artist to win the Best Music of the Year award at an international festival in San Francisco. He also received the People’s Choice Award at the Shimla Festival in India and was nominated for Best Music at the Atlanta Festival, held under the auspices of the Academy Awards.
Pioneering in the Digital Era
Dariya and Sorena were among the first Iranian artists to release their music on Spotify, paving the way for other Iranian musicians to enter the global stage.
Inspiring Other Artists
Interestingly, Yas, one of the most popular Persian rap artists, was inspired by Dariya’s song “Madar” (“Mother”), which served as a source of motivation for him.
Dariya & Sorena: Enduring Pioneers of Persian Rap Music
From introducing rap to Iran to organizing the first concert and achieving international recognition, Dariya and Sorena Montaser continue to be recognized as foundational pillars of Persian rap music. Their influence extends not only in Iran but also globally.
