Russian Rapper Jailed Over Song

noize080310.jpgRussian hip-hop might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but isn’t jail a bit excessive? Ivan Alexeyev, aka Noize MC, was arrested late last week for making fun of the police in his lyrics at a recent concert. Alexeyev, who often targets corrupt officials in his songs, was given a 10-day jail sentence Monday. From a BBC report:

His song Kuri Bambuk includes the lyrics: “Citizen! Halt. Halt. Turn out your pockets, slap, slap. Now your kidneys, kick, kick. Well off you go. Forget it, swallow it, be silent.”

“They [the police] did not like this song,” a spokesman for the rapper said.

Quite the understatement.