Chechnya Bans Music That Isn’t Between 80 and 116 Beats Per Minute

The Russian republic of Chechnya has announced a ban on music that’s either too fast or too slow. As the Guardian’s Philip Oltermann reports, officials hope to eradicate the “polluting” Western influence in the region.

“From now on, all musical, vocal and choreographic works must correspond to the tempo of 80 to 116 beats per minute,” wrote the Chechen Ministry of Culture in a translated statement earlier this month.

The new rule—approved by the republic’s leader, Ramzan Kadyrov—will ensure that all Chechen music and dance productions conform to “Chechen mentality and musical rhythm.” According to the Moscow Times, artists have until June 1 to rewrite songs that don’t align with the new ban. After that deadline, they will no longer be able to play those songs in public.

“Borrowing musical culture from other peoples is inadmissible,” said Musa Dadayevhe, the culture minister, at a meeting on April 5, according to Russian media reports translated by the Guardian. “We must bring to the people and to the future of our children the cultural heritage of the Chechen people.”

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