Justice Department Claims Fight Against 'Negative' Rap

At the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, Deputy Minister of Justice of Russia Oleg Sviridenko announced a new initiative of the Ministry: he will study and possibly regulate the rap industry. Over the past two months, the Ministry of Justice has faced an increase in the number of problems associated with the activities of domestic performers, especially in the genre of rap. Sviridenko did not name specific names, saying that their names will be known "by 2026 and overflowing 2027."

The main complaint of the Ministry is the propaganda of drugs and other negative phenomena through lyrics. The Ministry of Justice refers to official examinations confirming the presence of similar moments in the works of many artists. In addition, special attention is paid to the promotion of violence, the denial of moral values and the formation of an unhealthy lifestyle, which, according to Sviridenko, negatively affects public consciousness and critical thinking of citizens.

The government said it would work with other agencies to resolve the issue “because of their competence.”