A region of Russia is cracking down on music, taking aim at genres like pop and techno that will make songs from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and more illegal.
Authorities in the Russian Republic of Chechnya have decided to ban music that they deem too fast or too slow, CNN reports. The new ruling states that only music that ranges from 80 to 116 beats per minute (BPM) will be allowed. The law affects all musical, vocal, and choreographic compositions within the range.
Minister of Culture Musa Dadayev announced the move at a meeting on April 5. Chechnya is located in the North Caucasus region between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. It is made up of almost entirely Muslim people.
"(I) have announced the final decision, agreed with the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Akhmatovich Kadyrov, that from now on all musical, vocal and choreographic works must correspond to a tempo of 80 to 116 beats per minute," Russian state new agency TASS reports that Dadayev said.
Dadayev says that the new ruling will further secure "Chechen mentality and musical rhythm" throughout their culture. He says that it will solidify "the cultural heritage of the Chechen people" to "the people and to the future of our children."
The pro-Kremlin ruler's new ban limits Taylor Swift songs like "Shake It Off," "Cruel Summer," "Look What You Made Me Do," and "Bad Blood," which that fall within the banned BPM range, Politico reports.
Several Beyoncé songs will also be banned, including "Single Ladies," "16 Carriages," and "Who Runs the World (Girls)." However, songs like "Texas Hold 'Em" and "Crazy In Love" are still allowed.
Ariana Grande songs that are no longer allowed include "yes, and?," "break up with your girlfriend, i'm bored," "Side By Side," and "Break Free."
Drake fans will no longer be able to listen to "God's Plan," since it has been deemed too slow.
The new ruling also cracks down on music from Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, and more.
It has recently been reported that there have been several concerning waves of violence against gay men within the region. Kadyrov has been the leader of the area since 2007. He frequently exercises his power by restricting any forms of dissent.
In early 2017, United Nations human rights experts notified authorities that gay men were being targeted and detained in Chechnya, with social media catching on that some had been murdered over their sexuality. In 2019, it was reported that another wave of discrimination led to at least two dying in custody.
Following the events, Kadyrov said that there were "no gay people" in the region and if there were, they should be removed. It is unclear if the music ruling has any connection to their intolerance of LGBTQ+ individuals.
In 2009, Kadyrov was photographed dancing to folk music in Grozny, Chechnya. The music he was taking part in seemingly matched the limitations that he has not placed on the region.
