Description

Book Synopsis

A groundbreaking exposé about the alarming use of rap lyrics as criminal evidence to convict and incarcerate young men of color

Should Johnny Cash have been charged with murder after he sang, I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die? Few would seriously subscribe to this notion of justice. Yet in 2001, a rapper named Mac whose music had gained national recognition was convicted of manslaughter after the prosecutor quoted liberally from his album Shell Shocked. Mac was sentenced to thirty years in prison, where he remains. And his case is just one of many nationwide.

Over the last three decades, as rap became increasingly popular, prosecutors saw an opportunity: they could present the sometimes violent, crime-laden lyrics of amateur rappers as confessions to crimes, threats of violence, evidence of gang affiliation, or revelations of criminal motiveand judges and juries would go along with it. Detectives have reopened cold cases on account of r

Rap On Trial

    Product form

    A Hardback by Erik Nielson

    £16.19

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £17.99 – you save £1.80 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 20 Oct 2026.

    Out of stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Rap On Trial by Erik Nielson

      Book details

      Publisher The New Press
      Published 11/28/2019
      ISBN-13 9781620973400
      978-1620973400
      ISBN-10 1620973405

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      A groundbreaking exposé about the alarming use of rap lyrics as criminal evidence to convict and incarcerate young men of color

      Should Johnny Cash have been charged with murder after he sang, I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die? Few would seriously subscribe to this notion of justice. Yet in 2001, a rapper named Mac whose music had gained national recognition was convicted of manslaughter after the prosecutor quoted liberally from his album Shell Shocked. Mac was sentenced to thirty years in prison, where he remains. And his case is just one of many nationwide.

      Over the last three decades, as rap became increasingly popular, prosecutors saw an opportunity: they could present the sometimes violent, crime-laden lyrics of amateur rappers as confessions to crimes, threats of violence, evidence of gang affiliation, or revelations of criminal motiveand judges and juries would go along with it. Detectives have reopened cold cases on account of r

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account