May 15, 2017
SHARE
CANADALAND
#183 Why Your Rap Lyrics Could Land You In Prison
When it comes to rap, where does artistic licence end and confession begin? According to prosecutors in at least 30 cases from the last decade, it starts when the artist is charged with a crime and the lyrics are parsed for clues to a case or for proof of bad character. Many of these defendants are convicted of their crimes, but should their music be a permissible tool? What is the threshold? And does the practice intentionally or unintentionally tap into the unconscious biases of jurors with the fate of young black and indigenous men in their hands? This roundtable discussion on the inclusion of rap as criminal evidence brings together three experts: University of California, Irvine criminologist Adam Dunbar, University of Toronto sociologist Jooyoung Lee, and lawyer Hilary Dudding, whose case, R. v. Campbell, could effect future trials in Canada. They join guest host Omar Mouallem for the episode.
Omar Mouallem
Russell Gragg
Producer

When it comes to rap, where does artistic licence end and confession begin? According to prosecutors in at least 30 cases from the last decade, it starts when the artist is charged with a crime and the lyrics are parsed for clues to a case or for proof of bad character.

Many of these defendants are convicted of their crimes, but should their music be a permissible tool? What is the threshold? And does the practice intentionally or unintentionally tap into the unconscious biases of jurors with the fate of young black and indigenous men in their hands?

This roundtable discussion on the inclusion of rap as criminal evidence brings together three experts: University of California, Irvine criminologist Adam Dunbar, University of Toronto sociologist Jooyoung Lee, and lawyer Hilary Dudding, whose case, R. v. Campbell, could effect future trials in Canada.

They join guest host Omar Mouallem for the episode.

More from this series
“ What price do you put on Canadian sovereignty? What price do you put on the ability to have an economy that isn't wholly beholden to the United States?” -Adam Pankratz
January 12, 2026
2025 was a year of change, tumult, and chaos. What are you hoping for in 2026?
January 8, 2026
I am so deeply bored of the little brother, little cousin, whatever vibe I find it so unuseful. -Matina Stevis-Gridneff
January 5, 2026
 I originally wanted to do a story about human manure. Composting poo. -Leora Shertzer
December 29, 2025
This week, we speak to the people who manipulate and control your emotions. “Manipulate. It sounds like we’re doing something evil…” -Darren Fung
December 22, 2025
 Somebody had taken a pound of PCP and dumped it into the chowder. We have a pretty strong suspicion who it was, although it was never proven. -James Cameron
December 15, 2025
“ It's not the time to turn your back and say, these are the wrong kind, these are not Canadians, or these are not our kind of people, or these are misinformed people.” -David Cayley
December 8, 2025
Someone thinks we should buy time on AM radio. Also, Alberta is Calling, quite literally, and they want a show.
December 4, 2025
all podcasts arrow All Podcasts
CANADALAND