Soroush Lashkari, known professionally as Hichkas, was born on May 8, 1984, in Tehran, Iran. He is an Iranian rapper, songwriter, and record producer who gained prominence for popularizing Persian hip hop. Hichkas began his music career in the early 2000s, participating in rap battles and free-styling sessions in Vanak, Tehran. His breakthrough came with the release of his debut album Jangale Asfalt (The Asphalt-Paved Jungle in 2006, which combined traditional Persian instruments with urban beats. Hichkas's career includes notable collaborations such as "Long Live Palestine, Part II" featuring Lowkey and other international artists. He founded several influential labels including 021, Saamet, and Moltafet. His second album Mojaz (Permissible) was released in March 2020 after an eight-year delay. Hichkas has also appeared as a guest speaker at universities like Oxford and Cambridge, discussing Iranian poetry and the underground music scene.
