Chechnya Enforces Ban On Music Which Falls Between 80 and 116 Beats Per Minute

The Republic of Chechnya, a region deeply entrenched in its conservative Muslim traditions, has recently implemented strict measures regarding the tempo (speed range) of music.

Under the directive, all musical, vocal, and choreographic works must adhere to a tempo ranging from 80 to 116 beats per minute (BPM). This announcement follows a meeting between Chechen Culture Minister Musa Dadayev and local artists, wherein the imperative to safeguard Chechen cultural heritage was emphasized. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov endorsed this initiative, underscoring the importance of preserving the region's unique identity in the face of external influences.

The Law

The law mandates that all musical, vocal, and choreographic compositions must adhere to a specific tempo range of 80 to 116 BPM. Under this law, any musical work, regardless of genre or style, must conform to the prescribed tempo range.

Non-compliance with this regulation may result in restrictions on public performances of the affected works. Artists have been given a deadline of June 1 to ensure that their compositions meet the specified tempo requirements. Critics argue that such measures infringe upon artistic freedom and expression, particularly within contemporary music genres that may not fit within the designated BPM range.

As highlighted by the independent Russian news website Meduza, Russia's national anthem, with its tempo of 76 beats per minute, falls outside the range specified by the Chechen Culture Ministry.

Previously in News

In recent years, Chechnya has faced significant criticism from international human rights organizations for its reported violent persecution of sexual minorities. Reports of detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings targeting individuals perceived as LGBTQ+ have drawn condemnation from global observers. Despite these allegations, the Chechen government has consistently denied the existence of homosexuality within its borders, asserting that any individuals identified as such would face retribution from their own families.

The United States government, in response to these concerns, took action against Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov in July 2020. The US State Department imposed sanctions on Kadyrov, stating his involvement in gross violations of human rights, including torture and extrajudicial killings.