As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial

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1:28

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial

2024

1h 36m

Documentary

Music

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Popcornmeter

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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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

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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

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Niani Scott

RogerEbert.com

"As We Speak" successfully explores diasporic issues that need to be changed from the ground up.

Feb 2, 2024

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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

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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

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Omar A

So informative and very well done!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

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Audience Member

Just another insufferable film about professional victims crying wolf about oppression.. again.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

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J.M. Harper

Director

Kemba

Self

Sam Widdoes

Producer

Peter Cambor

Producer

Sam Bisbee

Producer

J.M. Harper

Producer

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As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial: Trailer 1

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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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