Rap and Freedom of Expression

-By Alison Shore

“Words stand the test of time; the words don’t move,” declared Chuck D, a man who knows a few things about the power of words.

Chuck D, who was the force behind Public Enemy, the rap group whose game-changing album It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back propelled the art form of gangsta rap into a political statement, joined other notable panelists and DJ Lynnee Denise to discuss the paradox of rap as a form of expression that has morphed into a tool of repression for the state.

Erik Nielson, Chuck D and Leila Steinberg discussed the complexities of rap as a form of expression and political statement.

The forum, “Rap and Repression,” was part of the three-day conference “Freedom of Expression in a Changing World: What Cannot Be Said,” jointly sponsored by UC Irvine and USC. The “Rap and Repression” panel was moderated by Gould Prof. Jody Armour, who is well versed in the connection between race and legal decision-making. Also participating on the panel were Melina Abdullah, a professor and chair of Pan-African studies at Cal State Los Angeles, and Black Lives Matter organizer; Erik Nielson, assistant professor of Liberal Arts at University of Richmond and a leading researcher of hip hop culture; and Leila Steinberg, a writer, dancer, community activist, and former manager of rap artist Tupac Shakur.

The “Rap and Repression” discussion, reinforced with music selections from DJ Denise and Armour’s adroitly recited rap lyrics, primarily addressed the racist and systematic legal maneuvering targeting individuals in the rap world. The music that is meant to empower, unify and provoke has also unwittingly invited increased surveillance and scrutiny of the lyrics—or, more to the point, of the people, mostly black, creating the music, according to Prof. Armour and Nielson.

Nielson confirmed that hundreds of convictions have hinged on the introduction of defendants’ written or recorded rap music as “evidence” of wrongdoing.

“It is widespread and unjust at a lot of levels,” he said. “The overwhelming majority are men of color unable to mount a robust defense.”

Prof. Jody Armour, author of Negrophobia and Reasonable Racism, moderated the discussion.

Abdullah added, “One of the ways to fight is to create language and energy against unjust policies. What’s happening now is targeting people who have the audacity to stand up against the existing hegemony.”

Chuck D recognized that the popularity of rap and its uniting, galvanizing effect—that is, the group activity—have produced intensified government surveillance, but he pointed out the importance for blacks to persist in being part of the collective.

Steinberg, who still struggles with some of the profane and misogynistic language in rap lyrics, nonetheless acknowledged, “This art form [rap] I was involved in was the first time we could have an honest conversation.” Having these discussions, she feels, can change the scope of our relationships globally.

Watch the full discussion via video: https://youtu.be/qdkD25bmZWQ