Acid (hip-hop)
Encyclopedia
Acid is a Burmese hip hop
group often credited with releasing Burma's first hip hop album, Beginning, in 2000. Two of the group's founders were later imprisoned for the group's allegedly pro-democracy lyrics.
and Yan Yan Chan
. In 2000, Acid released Burma's first hip-hop album, Beginning. Despite predictions of failure by many in the Burmese music industry, Beginning remained in the number one position of the Burmese charts for more than two months. A Democratic Voice of Burma
reporter described the group's music as blending a "combative, angry style with indigenous poeticism".
The band's repertoire has been said to contain many "thinly veiled attacks" on Burma's military government, the State Peace and Development Council
. The Independent
stated that while the band "focused on the mundane, their lyrics inevitably touched on the hardships of life in Burma, drawing them into dangerous territory."
. In April, Yan Yan Chan
was also arrested.
Zayar Thaw was allegedly beaten during his interrogation. On 20 November 2008, he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for breaking State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 6/88, "illegal organizing under the Unlawful Association Act". Amnesty International described this statute as "a vaguely worded law whose sweeping provisions can be interpreted as making it illegal to set up any kind of organization". He was given an additional year's imprisonment for possession of foreign currency, as he had been carrying approximately $20 USD in Thai baht, Singapore dollar
s, and Malaysian ringgit
at the time of his arrest. He is currently serving his sentence at Kawthaung
prison. Amnesty International named him a prisoner of conscience
and called for his immediate release.
After nearly a year's detention, Yan Yan Chan was released without charges on 7 January 2009.
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
group often credited with releasing Burma's first hip hop album, Beginning, in 2000. Two of the group's founders were later imprisoned for the group's allegedly pro-democracy lyrics.
Beginning
Acid was founded by Zayar ThawZayar Thaw
Zayar Thaw ; born Kyaw Kyaw on 26 March 1981) is a Burmese hip-hop artist currently detained for the perceived anti-government messages of his lyrics. Amnesty International named him a prisoner of conscience.-Hip-hop career:...
and Yan Yan Chan
Yan Yan Chan
Yan Yan Chan is a pioneer of Burmese hip hop and pro-democracy activist. Along with Zayar Thaw, he founded the group Acid.-"Beginning":In 2000, Acid released Burma's first hip-hop album. Despite predictions of failure by many in the Burmese music industry, the album, Beginning, remained in the...
. In 2000, Acid released Burma's first hip-hop album, Beginning. Despite predictions of failure by many in the Burmese music industry, Beginning remained in the number one position of the Burmese charts for more than two months. A Democratic Voice of Burma
Democratic Voice of Burma
The Democratic Voice of Burma is a non-profit media organization based in Oslo, Norway. Run by Burmese expatriates, it makes radio and television broadcasts aimed at providing uncensored news and information about Burma , the country's military regime, and its political opposition.In July 1992,...
reporter described the group's music as blending a "combative, angry style with indigenous poeticism".
The band's repertoire has been said to contain many "thinly veiled attacks" on Burma's military government, the State Peace and Development Council
State Peace and Development Council
The State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
. The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
stated that while the band "focused on the mundane, their lyrics inevitably touched on the hardships of life in Burma, drawing them into dangerous territory."
Arrests of Acid members
On 12 March 2008, Zayar Thaw was arrested at a Yangon restaurant with friends on charges relating to his involvement in the youth pro-democracy movement Generation WaveGeneration Wave
Generation Wave is a pro-democracy Burmese youth movement founded by Min Yan Naing, Moe Thwe, hip-hop star Zayar Thaw, and one other activist.-Background and activism:...
. In April, Yan Yan Chan
Yan Yan Chan
Yan Yan Chan is a pioneer of Burmese hip hop and pro-democracy activist. Along with Zayar Thaw, he founded the group Acid.-"Beginning":In 2000, Acid released Burma's first hip-hop album. Despite predictions of failure by many in the Burmese music industry, the album, Beginning, remained in the...
was also arrested.
Zayar Thaw was allegedly beaten during his interrogation. On 20 November 2008, he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for breaking State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 6/88, "illegal organizing under the Unlawful Association Act". Amnesty International described this statute as "a vaguely worded law whose sweeping provisions can be interpreted as making it illegal to set up any kind of organization". He was given an additional year's imprisonment for possession of foreign currency, as he had been carrying approximately $20 USD in Thai baht, Singapore dollar
Singapore dollar
The Singapore dollar or Dollar is the official currency of Singapore. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
s, and Malaysian ringgit
Malaysian ringgit
The Malaysian ringgit is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 sen...
at the time of his arrest. He is currently serving his sentence at Kawthaung
Kawthaung
Kawthaung is in the southernmost part of Myanmar, located in Tanintharyi Region. During British rule in Burma between 1824 and 1948, it was known as Victoria Point.- History :...
prison. Amnesty International named him a prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience is a term defined in Peter Benenson's 1961 article "The Forgotten Prisoners" often used by the human rights group Amnesty International. It can refer to anyone imprisoned because of their race, religion, or political views...
and called for his immediate release.
After nearly a year's detention, Yan Yan Chan was released without charges on 7 January 2009.