Athens, Ga. - The University of Georgia School of Law will host a discussion of the recently published book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics and Guilt in America, which was co-authored by Andrea L. Dennis, the holder of the law school's John Byrd Martin Chair of Law. The discussion will be held Jan. 30 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Larry Walker Room of Dean Rusk Hall on UGA's North Campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Published by The New Press, Rap on Trial examines the use of "rap lyrics as criminal evidence to convict and incarcerate young men of color" based on hundreds of court cases from across the country.

Many rappers and hip-hop artists who create and perform "gritty, often violent lyrics," resulting in large sales and followings, say they are playing to market demands and that their songs are not necessarily reflective of "their thoughts, intentions or actions." But police, prosecutors and judges often automatically treat rap lyrics as true to life evidence, according to Dennis. "The work of other creators - such as musicians in other genres, crime novelists, radical poets and horror film screenwriters - is not seen as a reflection of their real lives, contrary to what is happening with rap artists," she said.

Described as a path-breaking book, Rap on Trial explores the breadth of rap lyrics being used in criminal prosecutions and the problems raised by the practice, and proposes solutions to achieve meaningful change.

Speakers will include Dennis and Dr. Bettina L. Love with UGA's College of Education.

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Writer/Contact: Heidi M. Murphy, 706-583-5487, hmurphy@uga.edu

UGA School of Law
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