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CENSORED ARTISTS From Madonna to Wagner. From Afghanistan to USA. Here is an assorted collection of some prominent artists who have experienced censorship past and present. Click a portrait to read more about any artist. Present day Dixie Chicks USA Was boycotted and had albums destroyed by local radio stations following anti-Bush remarks Madonna USA Several videos banned Farhad Darya Afghanistan Banned by the Taliban Thomas Mapfumo Zimbabwe Several songs banned by Zimbabwean authorities Gorki Carrasco Cuba Censored by the Cuban Government Imprisoned August 2003 Eminem USA Blacklisted by several radio stations - and censored by himself... Fela Kuti Nigeria Imprisoned and harassed by Nigerian authorities Ferhat Tunc Turkey Censored and imprisoned by Turkish authorities Parissa Iran In the Islamic Republic of Iran, female singers are often facing severe restrictions Miguel Angel Estrella Argentina Banned, imprisoned and tortured by the Argentinean military junta Junoon Pakistan Banned by religious authorities in Pakistan Matoub Lounès Algeria Assassinated in 1998 Paul McCartney UK Banned by the BBC and blacklisted by Russian MP’s in 2003 Richard Wagner Germany Occasionally banned in Israel 19th and early 20th century Giuseppe Verdi Italy "La Traviata" banned across Europe for the lyric "He took the desired prize in the arms of love", which was considered too suggestive Dmitri Shostakovich Russia Censored and harassed during Stalin’s time in power Igor Stravinsky Russia His arrangement of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was banned in Boston in 1941 Arnold Schönberg Austria Banned in Nazi-Germany, where authorities branded his music "degenerate" and "Bolshevist" Dig deeper:  Freemusepedia – timeline of music censorship incidents through 2000 years of history, world-wide  Related reading: Damon Albarn: Music is destroyed by censorship The record industry exerts a covert censorship, which makes it difficult for musicians to express themselves freely, was the message from Damon Albarn, Tony Allen and Ty at the Roskilde Festival 2003 01 July 2003 Clear Channel: September 11 & Corporate Censorship Corporate censor no. 1, or just the market leader? A collection of articles on Clear Channel - including the debate on the infamous list of 'potentially offensive songs', which Clear Channel suggested its 1.300 radio stations not to play following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US 01 December 2002 Postscript to report on censorship in Zimbabwe "Playing with Fire: Fear and Self-Censorship in Zimbabwean Music". Extensive Freemuse report, including case studies on Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. Read abstract and full report (PDF) 05 January 2005 Roskilde Festival 2003, Damon Albarn on music censorship Damon Albarn, Tony Allen and Ty on self-censorship, corporate censorship, censorship in Africa, and music during wartime - video excerpts from the Freemuse organized press conference on freedom of musical expression, Roskilde Festival 2003 26 August 2003 USA: What if they gave a culture war and nobody came? Extensive article on the history of music censorship in the U.S., detailing the occasions when judicial and legislative authorities have focused attention on popular music as expression 28 January 2003 Freemuse report on music censorship in Zimbabwe "Playing with Fire: Fear and Self-Censorship in Zimbabwean Music". Extensive Freemuse report, including case studies on Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. Read abstract and full report (PDF) 25 October 2001 Radio Freemuse: 'Music censorship in Africa 2008' Listen to or download a 15 minutes radio report explaining about music censorship in Africa today. Hear what the African musicians have to say themselves about the topic 27 February 2008 Baktash Kamran Video interview with the lead singer in Kamran Music Group. He speaks about his experiences with music prohibition during the Taliban period in 1996-2001 25 February 2008 Nairez Video interview with one of the singers who were forced to sing praisal songs for the Taliban regime. He speaks about his problems with music censorship in this period 25 February 2008 3rd Freemuse World Conference on Music and Censorship 200 professional musicians, scholars, and composers from 22 countries met at the 3rd Freemuse World Conference on 25-26 November 2006 in Istanbul, Turkey 18 December 2006 Musical responses to 9/11: From Conservative patriotism to radicalism This article poses the question: What would a suitable American popular music response to the events of 9/11 sound like? Read the chapter by Martin Cloonan, from the book "9/11 – The world's all out of tune" 09 December 2004 Repression against musicians of Belarus Open letter from Belarusian musicians concerning political pressure being placed on musicians who allegedly oppose President Aleksandr Lukashenko 08 October 2004 Elton John attacks new 'era of censorship' in America The British singer has attacked what he calls a McCarthy-like "era of censorship" in America. Entertainers who speak out against the Bush administration or its policy on Iraq, he claimed, risk scorn and damage to their livelihood 17 July 2004 USA: 'Crash into me, baby!' America’s implicit music censorship since September 11. Read the chapter from 'Shoot the Singer!', by Eric Nuzum on how the September 11 terror attacks have affected freedom of musical expression 03 June 2004 Shoot the Singer! Book "Shoot the Singer! Music Censorship Today". The first worldwide presentation of contemporary cases of music censorship, with cases from i.a. Burma, Mexico, Middle East, France, Algeria, Zimbabwe, USA, South Africa, Turkey. Edited by Freemuse director Marie Korpe, published by Zed Books, May 2004. 25 May 2004 Pop lyrics and their censors "Political correctness has imposed a new restraint on free speech." Interview with Freemuse co-chair Martin Cloonan on explicit lyrics and music censorship today 15 January 2004 Afghanistan report Post Scriptum, 2003 Post Scriptum by John Baily to the report: "Can you stop the birds singing?" The censorship of music in Afghanistan 24 September 2003 Music during wartime An extensive collection of links to articles related to how the war on Iraq affected freedom of musical expression - from American country albums being burned to the rise in protest music 10 June 2003 Freemuse report on censorship of music in Afghanistan "Can you stop the birds singing?" Freemuse report on the censorship of music in Afghanistan. Abstract, full report (PDF) and musical examples 01 May 2001 UK: Britain at War Extensive article on how music was "restricted" during the Falkland and Gulf war, with focus on UK legislation and corporate censorship. Presented by Martin Cloonan at the 1st World Conference on Music and Censorship, 1998 01 January 2001 Russia: 'Government fights outspoken musicians, says rock singer Music censorship exists in full glory in Russia, the lead singer of the Russian rock group Televizor, Mikhail Borzykin, told SpinEarth.tv 24 August 2009 Russia: Punk fans and bands claim to be persecuted and silenced Is the Russian punk band PTVP censored from radio and tv because of their anti-government stance, or simply because they play aggressive punk music? 24 August 2009 Zimbabwe: Radio ban on singer for attacking government officials The music of 56-year-old Sungura musician Hosiah Chipanga has been banned on national radio, Radio Zimbabwe, wrote the newspaper ZimDaily on 7 June 2009. 10 June 2009 Iran: Film about Iranian music censorship awarded, musicians exiled The Iranian film ‘No One Knows About Persian Cats’ was awarded at Cannes Film Festival. But two of the musicians which it features now must go in exile 27 May 2009 Iran: Film about music censorship shown on Cannes Film Festival Kurdish-Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi launches a two-hour film about music censorship in Iran which features banned musicians and singers 15 May 2009 China: Western religious music banned Western musicians and tour organisers have encountered difficulties with performances in China due to a tightened political control over the arts and Christianity. 23 October 2008 Saudi Arabia: Interview with founder of thrash metal band Faisal Al-Alamy is founder of the Saudi Arabian thrash metal band Octum. They released a demo entitled 'Fighting For Freedom' in January 2008 04 June 2008 Saudi Arabia: Musicians' freedom expanded There has been a quiet, yet marked increase in cultural activities in Saudi Arabia during the past couple of months. New music bands emerge and blossom on the internet 27 May 2008 Kris Kristofferson Video interview with American folk singer Kris Kristofferson about his personal experiences with music censorship in USA - and in Russia 31 March 2008 Mari Boine Video interview with Norwegian and Sámi singer Mari Boine about her personal experiences with the religious ban of joik music 31 March 2008 Zimbabwe before the elections: Airplay is only for the "patriots" While the radio keeps rotating songs that praise the current regime, opposition and dissenting voices are silenced, and things fall apart, writes Maxwell Sibanda from Harare 10 March 2008 Aiab Gul Delshad Video interview with the head of Afghanistan's Music Union, who is a famous folk singer. He was arrested once, and imprisoned and tortured another time, because of two songs 25 February 2008 Aziz Ghaznawi Video interview with an authority on music administration in Afghanistan. He talks about how music was censored within Radio Television Afghanistan 25 February 2008 Farhad Darya Video interview with Afghanistan's star singer who gives examples of songs which were censored in the period of communist parties in Afghanistan, starting from 1979 25 February 2008 Fazl-u-Rahman Wahdat Video interview with a Pashto folk singer and board member of Afghanistan Music Union. He speaks about the problems which a praisal singer faces when a regime changes 25 February 2008 Ghazal Ahmadi Video interview with an Afghan film actress who explains that she stopped learning how to play the guitar because it became too problematic for her 25 February 2008 Safdar Tawakoli Video interview with a Hazara folk singer who explains about his problems as a musician during the Mujahidin period where power in the capital of Afghanistan was fragmented 25 February 2008 Sahar Afarin Video interview with a 21-year-old Afghan singer who explains how she has been discouraged from music due to pressure from many sides. 25 February 2008 Zhakfar Hussaini Video interview with a music censor. He worked as a censor in Afghanistan Writers Association in Balkh in 1986-1992 25 February 2008 Freemuse 'Ambassadors' The 'Freemuse Ambassadors' are typically musicians or music promoters who support the Freemuse cause 05 November 2007 Chiwoniso Maraire Video interview with Chiwoniso Maraire together with Chirikure Chirikure and Paul Brickhill about their personal experiences with music censorship in Zimbabwe 05 November 2007 USA: The US rock group Pearl Jam’s anti-Bush statement censored on webcast Parts of a Pearl Jam live concert webcast was left out by the main sponsor AT&T. When the lead singer sang “George Bush, leave this world alone” transmission was interrupted 15 August 2007 Selda Bagcan: speech - November 2006 Video of Turkish singer Selda Bağcan's testimony at the third Freemuse World Conference where she speaks about her personal experiences with music censorship in Turkey 15 May 2007 Iran: Prohibition of music in holy city In a speech in official Friday praying on 11 May 2007 the Imam of Mashhad banned practicing of music and ordered to close all of the music institutes in the holy city 15 May 2007 Iran: Six musicians arrested Authorities in Iran have reportedly detained at least six members of underground music bands and shut down their studios, Radio Farda reported 24 April 2007 USA: Dixie Chicks' triumph over censorship: Five Grammys It was a victory over censorship and death threats when Dixie Chicks 'swept' the most prestigious honours in the global music calendar, the Grammy Awards 12 February 2007 Syria: 'Silenced voices' In Syria, music is a mirror which shows the soul of the listener. A few young musicians perceive a magic language of sound which can touch the heart and make new thoughts spark. And this is exacly where their problems start... 07 November 2006 Iran: No more music download A ban on high-speed internet will make it more difficult to download foreign music which the authorities blame for undermining Islamic culture among the younger generation 19 October 2006 Iran: Report about art and censorship in Iran “Artists self-censor in fear of risking harassment, arrest, flogging, or worse still, imprisonment,” stated a report about art and censorship in Iran published by Article 19 05 October 2006 Canada: 'Gangsta rap' seeked banned A Toronto activist has filed a complaint against Canadian music store chain HMV selling 'gangsta rap' that glorifies the mistreatment of women 27 September 2006 Uzbek singer on trial for song about massacre World-wide campaign launched in support of Dadakhan Khasanov 07 August 2006 Pakistan: Ban on dance and music in schools A ban has been imposed on social functions featuring dance and music, particularly Indian songs, in educational institutions, reports Daily Times 24 April 2006 Freemuse report on censorship in post 9/11 USA ’Singing in the Echo Chamber’. Music censorship in the U.S. after September 11. New report published by Freemuse 13 February 2006 Lebanese singer Marcel Khalife banned in Tunisia The Lebanese singer is "no longer welcome" in Tunisia and his songs are banned from state controlled medias 02 January 2006 Iran: New ban on Western music in Iran New decree bans music that does not conform to Islamic doctrines and the spirit of the Islamic Revolution 21 December 2005 Salman Ahmad Video interview with ex-Junoon member Salman Ahmad about music prohibition among Islamists, and about music censorship in Pakistan 22 November 2005 USA: Anti-Iraq war rock song claimed blacklisted by US government American rock musician Mick Star claims that his anti-Iraq war song 'Jets' is not getting air time due to pressure on radio stations from the White House 25 October 2005 UK: Banned group returns to stage They were censored on Top of the Pops and infuriated the National Front in the late 70’s. Now the Gang of Four returns to the stage for a few gigs. Vocalist Jon King claims Gang of Four was banned more than the Sex Pistols 11 January 2005 List of banned songs in Zambia 2004 A few Zambian artists gained further popularity in 2004 by releasing controversial songs, but several artists learned a tough lesson when songs with “vulgar language” were banned by local radio stations and condemned publicly. “Opinion” in Times of Zambia supported the censorship 05 January 2005 Pride and prejudice: 'anti-gay' stars refuse to apologise Their gigs have been cancelled all over the world and their names withdrawn from awards. But Jamaica's dancehall stars refuse to apologise for - or even stop singing - songs that encourage the murder of gay people. Extensive article from The Guardian 10 December 2004 Musical responses to 9/11: List of allegedly 'banned' songs A list of "lyrically inappropriate" songs banned from some US radio stations in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks in 2001 09 December 2004 City demands 'anti-gay' music ban Brighton will be the first UK city to demand that retailers ban albums with "anti-gay" lyrics. The City Council voted unanimously to write to the managing directors of Virgin Megastore, HMV and MVC condemning the music. The council do not have the power to force the stores not to sell the music 27 November 2004 No apology from 'anti-gay' singer Reggae star Sizzla has refused to apologise for his lyrics advocating violence against gay men, despite his UK tour being cancelled after protests. Sizzla is not allowed into the UK while the Home Secretary examines concerns raised by gay rights group OutRage! 25 November 2004 City seeks 'anti-gay' album ban The first UK city-wide boycott of albums with "anti-gay" lyrics is being considered in Brighton. Councillors want music retailers like HMV, Virgin Megastore and MVC to stop selling albums with homophobic lyrics in its Brighton branches 23 November 2004 Reggae stars 'help to spread HIV' International Development Minister Gareth Thomas fears that discrimination against homosexuals is deterring people from being tested for HIV. "A number of artistes are effectively contributing to the spread of HIV by producing reggae and rap songs actually encouraging discrimination" 22 November 2004 Censor and be damned? The link between violent music and violent behaviour "The UK Home Office has decided that Sizzla cannot come to the UK to play at this time." Scotland on Sunday about the current debate on homophobic lyrics 14 November 2004 US school talent show draws Secret Service The band, named Coalition of the Willing, was to perform Bob Dylan's song "Masters of War" – but some students and adults who heard the band rehearse called a radio talk show Thursday morning, saying the song the band sang ended with a call for President Bush to die. So the Secret Service was called 12 November 2004 South Korea: Protest music returns to be remembered Until the late 1980s, music that criticized the government was prohibited. Undeterred, students and laborers working outside the universities wrote songs and spread them remarkably from city to city by word of mouth. A new album traces the protest music of South Korea 10 November 2004 'Kill Bush' rappers rapped by US Gatans Parlament - a Norwegian rap group that criticised US President Bush by setting up a website whose name means "Kill him now" is in trouble with US authorities. Gatans Parlament, or Street Parliament, has defended the exercise as a satire 04 November 2004 'Anti-gay' lyrics inquiry starts The government is considering banning reggae star Sizzla from the UK. Meanwhile detectives are investigating claims that lyrics penned by eight leading reggae artists incite violence against homosexuals and are therefore illegal. 03 November 2004 Aung Zaw: Music censorship in Myanmar / Burma Video interview with journalist Aung Zaw about music censorship in Myanmar/Burma. Recorded in April 2004 26 October 2004 Censored artists An assorted collection of prominent artists who have experienced censorship past and present 10 October 2004 CRAG Report: The Missing Cuban Musicians No Cuban bands have been admitted entry into the U.S. since November 2003. New report on the situation for cultural exchange between Cuba and the U.S. 05 October 2004 United Kingdom: Reggae concert banned over lyrics Jamaican singer Buju Banton has been banned from playing a concert in Manchester after protests over his allegedly homophobic lyrics. Greater Manchester Police cancelled the gig as previous performances "suggest a likelihood of public disorder" 23 September 2004 Cat Stevens denied access "on national security grounds" US officials identified that the singer, whose name is now Yusuf Islam, was on one of their "watch lists". After an interview, the singer - who converted to Islam in 1977 - was denied entry into the US 22 September 2004 Zimbabwe: Complete control - Music and propaganda in Zimbabwe The Zimbabwean government records 'praise music' to replace critical songs. Extensive article on Zanu PF and their use of music as propaganda, past and present 20 September 2004 The world's all out of tune: Popular music after 9/11 "9/11 – The world's all out of tune. Populäre Musik nach dem 11. September 2001". New book - in German - on music after September 11, out October 2004 14 September 2004 New US study on cultural exchanges since September 11 U.S Homeland Security and State departments are encouraged to "work together to improve the current visa situation…so it is less of a barrier for foreign visitors, artists, and scholars, and for the presenters who invite them" 10 September 2004 Reggae stars dropped because of 'homophobic' lyrics A collection of articles and background information on Hate Music and the current debate, where Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel, the two controversial reggae acts accused of inciting violence against homosexuals, have been dropped from the UK Mobo Awards show 08 September 2004 Beenie Man banned from MTV gig Reggae star Beenie Man - recently accused of "lyrics that are an incitement to homophobic murder and violence" - has been banned from performing at an MTV concert after gay activists planned a protest over the singer's past lyrics 04 September 2004 Venue expels Linda Ronstadt after political remarks The singer was booed and removed from a Las Vegas casino for praising film-maker Michael Moore and his film Fahrenheit 9/11 during a show. Ronstadt called Moore a "great American patriot" and "someone who is spreading the truth" 20 July 2004 Hip-Hop Cops: US put Hip-Hop under surveillance A collection of articles on the latest developments in a nationwide effort to place every aspect of hip-hop culture under state surveillance 08 July 2004 D.R. Congo: Ban on rap music In June 2004, the Committee of Censorship in the Democratic Republic of Congo censored all Congolese rap groups and foreign music. The reason given for banning rap is that it is 'obscene and violent, and causes the youth to behave badly' 21 June 2004 Press release: Shoot the Singer! New book on worldwide censorship of music. Edited by Marie Korpe, Freemuse. Published by Zed Books (London), 18 May 2004 20 April 2004 Singer 'strips' over censorship Wearing a "nude suit" on stage to complain about censorship in the US, Alanis Morissette criticised a radio station for forcing her to change strong language in one of her recent songs 06 April 2004 Explicit Lyrics & Parental Advisory Tipper Gore, the PMRC, and the infamous black-and-white logo: Background material and news articles 01 February 2004 Singer Lee Jones attacks Bush American singer Rickie Lee Jones has attacked the policies of the Bush administration on her latest record - despite the potential risk to her career. “I usually reflect things totally internally. But I think what is happening in America is so disturbing to me, it becomes internal” 07 January 2004 The Beginnings of Zimbabwean Protest Music Extensive background information on the political music of Zimbabwe - with artists like Mapfumo, Brown, and Mtukudzi - and also dealing with the Zanu PF governments use of music as propaganda 01 April 2003 The day protest music died Pop music played a crucial role in the national debate over the Vietnam War. By the late 1960's, radio stations across the country were crackling with blatantly political songs that became mainstream hits 05 March 2003 Zimbabwe: Singing The Walls Down Protest music is alive and well in Zimbabwe, where the oppressed and the impoverished find hope and strength in the songs of Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. Extensive article, including interviews with Mapfumo and Mtukudzi, as well as with government officials 23 February 2003 Public Enemy vs MTV MTV will not show the video for 'Gotta Give the Peeps What They Need' 14 October 2002 9/11: Is protest music dead? Music used to be the dominant voice against war. Now it's easier to shut up and get paid. What's really going on? Extensive article on 9/11 effects and media concentration, by Jeff Chang 16 April 2002 Music and Censorship - An Introduction by Ole Reitov Speech at UNESCO Stockholm, March 31st 1998. 01 January 2001 Music - a human right Music and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 01 January 2001 About music censorship Why is music censored? - and who are the censors? Here is a general introduction to the issues of music censorship. 01 January 2001 Afghanistan: The talibans have banned all music Mr. Naim Majrouh's speech at the 1st Freemuse World Conference on Music and Censorship in 1998 01 January 2001