Prosecuting Rap: Criminal Justice and UK Black Youth Expressive Culture

This project explores how rap music is being used as evidence in the criminal justice system and how this feeds the stigmatisation and over-criminalisation of Black and working-class young men and boys. It also explores how to challenge its use.

A growing number of researchers, lawyers, musicians, families, activists, commentators, civil liberties groups, youth workers and fans are voicing concern about the way rap is being interpreted and used by police and prosecutors.

This project is a product of an Arts & Humanities Research Council leadership fellowship led by Professor Eithne Quinn entitled Prosecuting Rap: Criminal Justice and UK Black Youth Expressive Culture.