On September 13, Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi was arrested by the IRGC. Read NUFDI’s introduction of Toomaj and his work here.
Many believe he was arrested for his latest song, “Mouse Hole” which calls out the Islamic Republic’s apologists in the West. NUFDI has translated his song below and added it as subtitles.
“Soorakh Moosh”/”Mouse Hole” by Toomaj
If you saw peoples’ pain but looked away
If you saw the suppression of the oppressed but walked right past
If you did it out of fear or for your own interests
You’re the hand of the tyrant, you’re a criminal too
If you put yourself to sleep, when they raided houses
If you’re worried about your money when they’re taking young peoples’ lives
If you play the middle and say “politics, what’s that?”
Just know there are no blank votes, there’s no neutrality in this war
If you covered your eyes your hands are drenched with blood
You’re a traitor if you have a platform but your words reek of lies
Though your far from the homeland, we still see
Remember, filth always leaks even from behind the clouds
If you covered up murders, you’re equally guilty
To cover up crimes, you’re walking through blood
Without you’re cover-ups this regime is incomplete
Iran has so many prisons that you would all fit in
Hack journalists, tabloid reporters, court singers, find a mouse hole
Officer, thug, mercenary, executioner, find a mouse hole
Useful idiots, appointed officials, reformists, find a mouse hole
Crooks, NIAC, look all around, grab all your dollars and buy a mouse hole
You’re quite the “artist” if you do it all for funds
I’ll piss on your Oscar if you’re not of the people
I’ll tear up your string so you can’t stitch bullshit
Whether you’re the government’s Shahab [Hosseini] or Asghar Farhadi
If you’re a government lackey athlete or kaffiyeh-licker
If you’re a sell-out actor or Elahe Hicks
You’re hustlers after money close to one source
It’s a shame you’re blood-sucking leeches, you’re not of the people
What’s left of our rivers won’t be filled by your mineral water
Khuzestan doesn’t want a token, it should be the richest of all
Freedom has a cost, fine, the free ones will give their lives
Remember, blood is only washed with blood
Shoot at our backs, kill the thirsty
Take pride in the murder of the unarmed seeking their rights
Paint over the [regime’s] crimes with beautiful colors
Take away the good news and tomorrow’s revenge
Hack journalists, tabloid reporters, court singers, find a mouse hole
Officer, thug, mercenary, executioner, find a mouse hole
Useful idiots, appointed officials, reformists, find a mouse hole
Crooks, NIAC, look all around, grab all your dollars and buy a mouse hole
Don’t await a savior, no such thing is coming
You’re your own savior, you’re your own hero
If you and I become we, we’re unlimited.
We’re the saviors of our time, our own Hidden Imam.