Hichkas

Hichkas, born Soroush Lashgari, is an Iranian rapper widely credited as one of the founding figures of Persian-language hip-hop and a pioneer of Iran's street rap movement. He began performing in the early 2000s in Tehran, freestyling in Vanak Square with a circle of young MCs before shifting from English-language rap to rapping in Persian about everyday social problems, generational frustration, and life in Tehran, which gave the genre a distinctly local voice and audience.

Often called the Godfather of Iranian rap, Hichkas built his reputation through raw, streetwise lyricism paired with beats rooted in Iranian musical texture, and he became a leading member of the 021 collective, named after Tehran's telephone area code. Songs such as «Ashegham», «Man Kiam?» and «Jadval O Roya» showcase his blunt, socially conscious style and helped popularize rap as a vehicle for commentary on Iranian youth culture.

Beyond performing, Hichkas founded Moltafet, a hip-hop label that helped launch other Iranian rappers, extending his influence from artist to institution-builder. He has also collaborated internationally, including work with veteran American rapper Kool G Rap, connecting the Persian rap scene to the wider global hip-hop community.