British-Iranian rapper reworks Israeli wartime hit 'Harbu Darbu' targeting Islamic regime

British-Iranian rapper 021Kid – whose stage name refers to a Tehran telephone code – has released a Farsi version of the Israeli wartime hit “Harbu Darbu” by Israeli duo Ness and Stilla. The original track was released in 2023 as a rallying call to fight against terror groups Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, following the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel.

021Kid currently lives in the United Kingdom, in London, to where he relocated after leaving Iran and where he has been based while pursuing his music career.

021Kid, whose real name is Tony Mohraz, grew up in Tehran and has described witnessing repression under the Iranian government. His version of "Harbu Darbu" calls for the downfall of the Islamic Republic, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij paramilitary force, which is widely used to suppress protests.

The track also references the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), a long-controversial opposition group previously designated as a terrorist organization in several Western countries.

“We don’t want mullah, neither MEK. Smoke ’em on site, show no mercy,” 021Kid raps in English, followed by the following lyrics in Farsi, “I’m standing with Iran till the end … We get our country back, just watch.”

The rapper explained his reasons for releasing the song.

“After what happened in Golders Green, London a few days ago where a Jewish man was stabbed – it’s a reminder that hate doesn’t just live online, it shows up in real life,” he wrote on Instagram. “Since January, the people of Israel & the Jewish community have shown strength, resilience, and unity and solidarity standing next to us Iranians.

As Persians and sons of Cyrus the Great we see it we respect it. In times like this, real allies don’t stay silent. We stand together against hate, against violence, and for something bigger than politics – humanity, strength, and loyalty. From Persians to Israelis – we stand with you, to the very end AM IRANI CHAI & AM ISRAEL CHAI.”

Last month, 021Kid spoke to The Jerusalem Post, describing his upbringing in Iran, which he left around 8 years ago at the age of 21 in search of greater artistic freedom.

“It was a dictatorship,” he said. “I couldn’t truly evolve as an artist, as a person. It’s hard out there, especially right now – with all this inflation, the regime being in the street with guns, opening [fire with] live bullets on anyone.

“I remember I was 12. I was too young to get involved in protests or demonstrations, but I was seeing them. I was seeing the older people getting onto the street. We have the most courageous people,” he said. “I was seeing them fighting with bare hands against this brutal regime…We didn’t have freedom of speech. We couldn’t truly express our anger. So when I came here, I continued my battle.”

The rapper has faced backlash for his vocal support of Israel and the Jewish people.

“Many UK rappers unfollowed me because I publicly supported Israel,” he said. “I even went to the protests and said: ‘I have good Muslim friends; this is not an issue against Islam.’ But you take it however you want. If you want to be radical about it, you’re going to be. Israel is our good ally – the only good allies in this war were Israel and America, and I publicly supported that. I’m not regretting anything.”