Exploitation of prisoners. Sexual assault allegations. A Supreme Court ruling that could hold the keys to freedom. In the third and final installment of Mac's story, we follow the ripples of Mac's case two decades after the verdict was handed down. What do the roadblocks in Mac's fight for exoneration say about liberty and justice for all? And how does his i ... Show More
Oct 2020
The Day The Mixtape Died: DJ Drama
In the early 2000s, mixtapes transformed Tyree Simmons into DJ Drama and molded T.I., Lil Wayne and Jeezy into rap superstars. But in 2007, those same mixtapes landed Drama in jail with a bank account balance of $0.00. In this episode, we break down the raid that turned the mixta ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2020
The Badder, The Better: Bobby Shmurda (Pt 1)
Just like his legendary disappearing hat, Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda's career was on the rise in 2014. But so was the evidence in a murder case against his crew, GS9. In the first of three episodes exploring Bobby's story, we look at his come-up through the eyes of former Epic ... Show More
52m 31s
Nov 2020
'Stay In The House': Bobby Shmurda (Pt 2)
Two young men grow up just blocks apart, each with aspirations to make it big. But while Bobby Shmurda sees his dreams come true, Bryan Antoine is killed by members of Bobby's crew. This is the story that lingers between the lyrics of Bobby's viral hit, "Hot N****." We talk to th ... Show More
45m 40s
May 2024
Episode 571: Criminal Dean Thornton releases rap song about Drogheda feud
A Drogheda feud member, convicted of a brutal abduction and torture, has launched his rap career with a highly produced music video about crime and carnage on the streets of his home town.
Criminal Dean Thornton is hoping to find fame with his song about feuding, guns and gangste ... Show More
17m 53s
Mar 2021
BONUS: Rapper Mac Phipps, After 20 Years In Prison, Is One Step Closer To Freedom
In this episode from NPR's Louder Than A Riot, New Orleans rapper Mac Phipps speaks exclusively to NPR about the power dynamics at play throughout his clemency hearing, and hosts Sidney Madden and Rodney Carmichael examine how his hip-hop career continues to affect his image in t ... Show More
47m 56s
Jun 2019
Bryan McCann, "The Mark of Criminality: Rhetoric, Race, and Gangsta Rap in the War-on-Crime Era" (U Alabama Press, 2017)
On this episode, Dr. Lee Pierce (she/they)--Asst. Prof. of Communication at SUNY Geneseo--interviews Bryan McCann (he/his)--Associate Professor of Communication at Louisiana State University--on a dope new work of cultural criticism The Mark of Criminality: Rhetoric, Race, and Ga ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 2023
Episode 300 - Tupac & Biggie: ‘2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted’ - Part 1
Stories of death, drugs, and gang violence were inextricably linked, in the 90s media, to the nation’s biggest rap stars.
Tupac Shakur was one of the decade’s biggest and most admired music icons – until his life was cut tragically short in 1996. By the time he died, he’d been i ... Show More
1h 3m