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As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial

Play trailer 1:28 Poster for As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial 2024 1h 36m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL follows Bronx rap artist Kemba as he explores the growing weaponization of rap lyrics in the United States criminal-justice system and abroad. His exploration reveals how law enforcement has quietly used artistic creation as evidence in criminal cases for decades. Since the 1990s, more than 700 criminal court cases have used rap lyrics as evidence against defendants, and with the recent criminal trial of rapper Young Thug, this issue has become more mainstream and in the public eye. The film doesn't ask whether someone is innocent or guilty; it asks whether lyrics can be used for conviction.
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As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Ben Kenigsberg New York Times The staged material is a bit heavy-handed, but “As We Speak” makes a powerful case for the necessity of being free to make art, and for public awareness that art rarely qualifies as legal evidence. Feb 28, 2024 Full Review Dwight Brown DwightBrownInk.com An integral part of any good documentary’s mission is exposing wrongs and spreading the word. In that way As We Speak… is a very good doc. Rated: 3/4 Feb 2, 2024 Full Review Niani Scott RogerEbert.com "As We Speak" successfully explores diasporic issues that need to be changed from the ground up. Feb 2, 2024 Full Review Abe Friedtanzer Cinema Daily US As We Speak doesn’t have all the answers but does spotlight the crucial work being done to enshrine protections for artists that both cover their free speech and shield them from the possibility of their artistic work being misappropriated against them. Rated: B+ Jul 26, 2024 Full Review Manuel Betancourt FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles) A fascinating documentary about something that I didn't know much about. Mar 22, 2024 Full Review JK Sooja Common Sense Media One of the most compelling pieces of evidence is a study done by Adam Dunbar out of the University of California, Irvine, that shows how people view rap music as a genre versus other musical genres. Mar 11, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (2) audience reviews
Omar A So informative and very well done! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/05/24 Full Review Audience Member Just another insufferable film about professional victims crying wolf about oppression.. again. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/13/24 Full Review Read all reviews
As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis AS WE SPEAK: RAP MUSIC ON TRIAL follows Bronx rap artist Kemba as he explores the growing weaponization of rap lyrics in the United States criminal-justice system and abroad. His exploration reveals how law enforcement has quietly used artistic creation as evidence in criminal cases for decades. Since the 1990s, more than 700 criminal court cases have used rap lyrics as evidence against defendants, and with the recent criminal trial of rapper Young Thug, this issue has become more mainstream and in the public eye. The film doesn't ask whether someone is innocent or guilty; it asks whether lyrics can be used for conviction.
Director
J.M. Harper
Producer
Sam Widdoes, Peter Cambor, Sam Bisbee, J.M. Harper
Distributor
Paramount+
Production Co
District 33, Park Pictures, Strike Anywhere
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 27, 2024
Runtime
1h 36m
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