Real World Lecture: Why is Rap and Drill Music Used in Criminal Trials?

Rap music has increasingly found itself at the centre of debates about criminal justice, freedom of expression, and racial inequality. From restrictions on recording and performing to the use of lyrics as evidence in court, the criminal legal system has often treated rap music in ways that raise important questions about fairness and discrimination. But when artistic expression is used to justify criminal sanctions, where should the line be drawn? In this Real World Lecture, we will explore how rap music has been linked to processes of racialised criminalisation, examining the use of criminal behaviour orders and the admission of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal proceedings. We will consider what research reveals about the risks of these practices, and whether they can be justified in a society that values both justice and freedom of expression. If you are interested in criminal law, human rights, and contemporary social issues, this lecture is for you.