Putin takes lead on rise of rap's 'three pillars'

MOSCOW - Alarmed by the growing popularity of rap among Russian youth, President Vladimir Putin wants cultural leaders to devise a means of "directing", rather than banning, the popular music.

Putin says "if it is impossible to stop, then we must lead it and direct it".

But Putin said at a St. Petersburg meeting with cultural advisers on Saturday that attempts to ban artists from performing will have an adverse effect and bolster the popularity of the musicians.