Reggae, Dancehall, Afrobeats Reggaeton, may have it hard getting on the airwaves in Chechnya, the Russian Republic which has implemented a ban on music deemed either too fast or too slow, effectively outlawing a broad spectrum of music genres including reggae, dancehall, reggaeton, dub-step, dance music, afrobeats hip hop and other pop music.
The ban, announced by the Chechen Ministry of Culture on its website, was initiated by Culture Minister Musa Dadayev in agreement with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov effectively silencing many modern music genres, which typically have BPMs exceeding 116.
Dadayev stressed the importance of preserving Chechen cultural heritage and transmitting it to future generations, stating, “Borrowing musical culture from other peoples is inadmissible.” He emphasized that musical, vocal, and choreographic works must now adhere to a tempo of 80 to 116 beats per minute (BPM) to align with Chechen cultural norms and rhythms.
“We must bring to the people and to the future of our children the cultural heritage of the Chechen people. This includes the entire spectrum of moral and ethical standards of life for Chechens,” he said per a translation by The Guardian.
The average tempo for most reggae songs ranges between 80 – 110 BPM, but among the reggae songs included in the ban based on the terms, would be Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds with a tempo of 149 BPM that can also be used half time at 75 BPM or double-time at 298 BPM.
“Dancehall” by Vybz Kartel with a tempo of 102 BPM or double-time at 204 BPM cannot be played in the Republic nation. The basic tempo for most dancehall songs is 90- 125 BPM.
The world’s biggest song is also banned, Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” with Daddy Yankee which is the most streamed song on YouTube with a tempo of 178 BPM
Artists have been given until June 1 to revise their compositions to comply with the new regulation, though enforcement procedures remain unclear. The move is seen as part of Kadyrov’s ongoing efforts to maintain control in the region, where dissent is often met with harsh consequences.
With over 1.5 million citizens, Chechnya, an autonomous republic in southern Russia with a predominantly Muslim population, has been under Kadyrov’s leadership since 2007. Kadyrov’s regime has been criticized for its suppression of dissent and human rights violations.
The ban has sparked concerns about artistic freedom and cultural expression in the region. Critics argue that it infringes on the rights of artists and stifles creativity. However, supporters of the ban argue that it is necessary to preserve Chechen cultural identity and traditions.
Despite the ban, traditional Chechen music, characterized by instrumental songs and epic ballads, is expected to remain unaffected according to The Guardian.
