Rap Trap: Hip Hop on Trial

About Rap Trap: Hip Hop on Trial

The TV series "Rap Trap: Hip Hop on Trial" released in 2023, narrates the astonishing case of Atlanta against two renowned hip hop artists, Young Thug (Jeffery Williams) and Gunna (Sergio Kitchens). This trial shocked the hip hop community and reignited a contentious national debate about the application of song lyrics as evidence in criminal proceedings.

The series delves deep into the controversial topic which for some, signifies the lyrics as an indication of crime, while others highlight it as an alarming tendency to criminalize Black art, a disturbing trend dating back to several decades. The narrative acutely traces the growth of hip hop, its historical misrepresentations, and various instances when lyrics were used as evidence in the courtroom, prominently including the story of McKinley Phipps Jr. in New Orleans.

Making / Production

"Rap Trap: Hip Hop on Trial" is an insightful depiction of a unique intersection of hip hop music and the criminal justice system. The lenses of the documentary-style series provide an inside look at the historical treatment of black art and its criminalization. The series adeptly unravels contemporary issues through the examination of past occurrences and events.

Actors

• Jeffery Williams (as Young Thug) - He excellently portrays his real-life character, balancing the dynamics of a hip hop artist and an individual in the face of prosecution.
• Sergio Kitchens (as Gunna) - Kitchens convincingly plays his role juxtaposing his public image as a hip hop artist with his private life entangled in a court case.

Trivia / Interesting Facts about it

• This series is one of the rare explorations of how song lyrics can be used as evidence against artists in real-life prosecutions.
• The series retraces the history of hip hop music, shedding light on events and trends that have shaped the genre over the decades.

Music, Soundtrack

• The series boasts an exhaustive soundtrack comprising tracks from artists like Young Thug, Gunna, and other key figures in hip hop, acting as a historical journey through the evolution of the genre.
• The music chosen for the series not only emphasizes the narrative circumstances but also embodies the essence of the hip hop scene throughout the years.