A guilty pleasure: The legal, social scientific and feminist verdict against rap

This article draws on governance theory, critical theory and cultural criminology to interrogate how legal, social scientific feminist discourses converge construct rap music as a pressing problem. While each discourse has its own preoccupations, ideologies internal contestation, the overarching message is that potential source of danger conveys anti-social attitudes. Suspicion sometimes also cast musicians themselves. I compare three overlapping fields, ultimate purpose problematize supposedly progressive approach interpreting mobilizing against songs deemed harmful. Significantly, argue much science scholarship activism addresses hip hop perpetuates anti-Black stereotypes dovetails with repressive state apparatuses. Among other things, criticism hermeneutically support use lyrics evidence criminality—a distinctly non-progressive, racialized legal practice.