World's Music Top Picks by Spin: Tomaj Salehi at the Top

On Friday, January 9 (21 Dey), the music magazine 'Spin' published a list of the most influential figures in world music for the year 2025, with Iranian protest rapper Tomaj Salehi at the top. Tomaj Salehi was released from prison on Sunday, December 2, 1403, after serving his sentence. He was arrested by government forces in early Aban 1401 in connection with nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police. This protest rapper was released on bail a year later but was re-arrested a few days later and sent to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. According to the American magazine Spin, Tomaj Salehi, known as 'the son of Iran,' is a bold rapper who is no stranger to prison and sings with fiery lyrics about 'the crimes of the Iranian dictatorship.' Spin notes that he has been arrested and imprisoned multiple times for his artistic activities, totaling 753 days in detention over the past five years. The magazine further adds that Tomaj Salehi, who has been beaten multiple times and spent a long time in solitary confinement, was sentenced to death by the Islamic Republic last year. This Iranian rapper tells Spin through a relative that his greatest motivation in fighting the Islamic Republic is to shift the balance of power towards the people to achieve civil and political freedoms so that the children of Iran have a better future. According to Tomaj Salehi, this includes achieving freedom of expression, choice of clothing, equal opportunities for advancement and growth, and ensuring respect for all Iranian citizens. Spin reminds that the fame of Tomaj Salehi's struggles against the ruling 'Islamic regime' extends beyond the borders of Iran and has a global reflection. It adds that his death sentence has faced global outrage from cultural and artistic figures, as well as millions of fans of this protest rapper. Coldplay, Jack Antonoff, Peter Gabriel, Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers, Chrissie Hynde, Tom Morello, and many other prominent artists have sent a petition to the UN Human Rights Council in protest against the Iranian government's treatment of Tomaj Salehi. This Iranian rapper tells Spin that the support of international artists has deepened his sense of global citizenship. He further notes that this encouraging support increases his motivations to address global community concerns in the future and he counts on the support of his global family. This 25-person list includes activists, pop stars, producers, executives, professors, and music experts. Following Tomaj Salehi are Andrew Garvis, Taylor Swift, and Jack Antonoff.