DJ Besho

J Besho (born Bezhan Zafarmal) is a historic Afghan rapper, music producer, and composer widely celebrated as the first artist to introduce hip-hop music to Afghanistan. His stage moniker "Besho" translates to "diamond". For over two decades, his work has served as a cultural bridge for the Afghan diaspora and urban music movement.

Flight from War & Global Upbringing 

• Childhood Tragedy: Born on 10 May 1977 in Kunduz, Afghanistan, Zafarmal fled his homeland at age 10. The escape was prompted by a rocket attack that tragically killed his best friend, Jawad.
• Multilingual Journey: His family moved through India, China (Beijing), and Russia before settling in Wiesbaden, Germany. This nomadic childhood allowed him to become fluent in six languages.
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• Discovering Rap: He was first introduced to hip-hop culture while living in Beijing for two years during the early 1990s. He later sharpened his rapping and production skills after moving to Germany in 1992.
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Pioneer of Afghan Hip-Hop [

• Cultural Re-emergence: Following the fall of the Taliban regime in the early 2000s, Besho began splitting his time between Germany and Afghanistan to help revitalize local arts.
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• Conscious Lyrics: Unlike typical Western "gangsta rap," his music deliberately avoids references to drugs, weapons, or explicit themes. Instead, he uses custom-engineered beats to deliver poignant messages about war, reconstruction, hope, and the realities faced by Afghan citizens.
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• TV & Media Breakthroughs: He secured a major contract with Afghanistan's prominent Tolo TV network, where his music videos became staple hits.
• Label Founder: In 2006, he founded ANG (Afghan New Generations) Labels in Germany to provide a platform for rising urban Afghan talent. 
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Key Releases & Discography

• Albums: He released his groundbreaking debut studio album, Bargshat (برگشت), through Moby Media Group, followed by Chashmak alongside singer Aris Parwiz.
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• Notable Collaborations: His notable collaborative tracks include "Tars o Larz" (featuring Waiss Ahmadi), "Dokhtare Hamsaya", and "Mubariz The Champion."
• Multilingual Tracks: He regularly flows and raps interchangeably in Dari, Pashto, English, and German.