Key points
- 01 Zeyar Thaw co-founded the Burmese hip-hop group ACID and used his music to speak openly against military rule in a country where political speech was tightly controlled.
- 02 Imprisoned in 2008 for six years for lyrics deemed subversive, he was amnestied in 2011 and elected to parliament alongside Aung San Suu Kyi during Myanmar's democratic opening.
- 03 Following the 2021 military coup, he was arrested, sentenced to death in a secret trial, and executed in 2022 for his refusal to remain silent.
01
From musician to activist
Born in Yangon in 1981, Zeyar Thaw founded ACID an influential Burmese hip-hop group. In a country where political speech is controlled He dared to rap what many feared to say. He put in jeopardy his successful career to deliver his message
02
Behind bars for his words
In 2008, the junta silenced his voice so no one could hear it. Sentenced to six years' imprisonment for lyrics that told the truth. Zeyar Thaw wasn't jailed for violence, but for bold, defiant verses.
03
A voice they couldn't mute
Even behind bars, Zeyar Thaw stayed a menace to the regime. Not with weapons, but with ideas. Amnestied in 2011, he was elected MP alongside important figures like Aung San Suu Kyi. Becoming a lawmaker during the short Myanmar's democratic opening.
04
No place for dissent
In 2021, the military seized power. Parliament fell. Zeyar Thaw was hunted and arrested. Tortured and sentenced to death in a secret trial.
05
Strong till the end
In 2022, he was executed. Not for what he did but for refusing to be silent.
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