Hajipour’s 'Baraye,' anthem of Iran's protests, wins Grammy award
The first lady of the United States, Jill Biden, presented the award to Hajipour at the Grammy Awards, although Hajipour was not present. Biden called the song a “powerful and poetic call for women’s rights.”
An Iranian song that has transformed into the anthem of the protests in the country won a Grammy award Sunday night.
“Baraye” by Shervin Hajipour won Best Song for Social Change at the award ceremony in Los Angeles. This is the first year the Grammys has given out this award.
Background: Hajipour released the song last year in response to the protests that began in September after the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old was allegedly beaten to death by religious police over her hijab. Wearing the head covering is mandatory for Iranian women. The song’s lyrics address numerous grievances Iranians have with the Islamic Republic.
“For dancing in the streets. For being afraid of kissing. For my sister, your sister, our sisters,” sings Hajipour to start the song. Kissing in public is illegal in Iran.
