Yasin has previously been sentenced to prison for preparation of human trafficking and for aggravated weapons offenses.
This summer, he will make his first live performances in many years at Brännbollsyran in Umeå, at Alive festival in Borlänge, and at Trädgården festival in Kristianstad.
Pierre Månsson (L), former municipal councilor in Kristianstad, is among the critics. He describes Yasin as "a poster boy for gang criminality".
I'm the first to agree that when you've served your sentence, you should be able to move on. The problem with Yasin is that he in all respects capitalizes on gang criminality, says Pierre Månsson to SVT, referring to posts the rapper has made on his social media.
The organizers of Trädgården festival, on the other hand, believe that Yasin has distanced himself from the criminal life, they write in an email to SVT. Peter Arkhult of Brännbollsyran reasons in a similar way.
We want to encourage critics to really listen to the music, it's strong lyrics that deal with love, relationships, and exclusion, which rightly should be praised. Yasin has shown a way out from a troubled background, from a prison sentence to music and a better life, he says to TT.
Is there then no risk that booking Yasin will legitimize a gang criminal image?
We understand that there has been a problematic past, that's why it's taken time before festivals have booked him, but that he has chosen this new life is a key factor. We think it's a good thing to convey to people who are drawn to the wrong contexts.
