Back in 1991, the Soviet Union finally went bye-bye and the Russians got a taste of that sweet, sweet freedom. Though, I guess some old habits die hard. Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to pull a drive-by on the flyest of musical genres. He wants to put a stop to rap music:

Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin, facing poverty, protests and allegations of attacking U.S. elections, declared war on hip-hop on Saturday, railing that “rap is based on three pillars: sex, drugs and protest,” which will lead to “ the degradation of the nation.”

Putin’s comments follow a spate of concert cancellations by venue owners and local authorities across Russia, and the arrest of popular rapper Husky, whose songs have gotten under his skin.

“If it is impossible to stop, then we must lead it and direct it,” Putin said.

Vlad had better checkity-check himself before he wrecks himself. Many of his constituents spend hours squatting in front of a ghetto-blaster pounding 2 Live Crew tracks. Wearing Adidas tracksuits. Sporting goofy haircuts. Something tells me Vlad putting the kibosh on the hippity-hop won't go over too well with them.

I'll grant you, rap isn't exactly the most wholesome of genres. Though, when you're in a place that allows free expression, vulgarity comes with the territory. If you think censorship would end with just the gangster rap, think again. After they send Snoop Dogg to the pound and expose Lil' Wayne to bright light, they'll come for the other genres. Then, before the Russians know it, they're right back where they started. Stuck listening to the Trololo guy on repeat.

This is representative of the most disturbing trend in government. The state's insistence they know what's best for us. No need for us to make decisions for ourselves. They'll take care of everything, including policing the content we take in. Welcome to the future.

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