For project number two, I’m considering focusing on rap narratives, their representative consciousness, and the different legal themes within them. Additionally, using the lens of CRT, I’ll dissect the racial delineation of culpability relative to narratives presented in rap music. The primary texts I’ll be using, outside of CRT, will be THUG and Sheppelle’s forward about legal storytelling. Concerning the specific songs and artists I’ll focus on, I’ll likely offer a considerable amount of time to Tupac Shakur, as he is the primary artist discussed in THUG. However, I could potentially consider the more modern narratives presented in songs by Kanye West, and Eminem.
In regards to the multi-modal aspect of assignment #2, I think producing a video will offer a more holistic understanding of implicit references to legal narratives in rap music. In addition to legal narratives present in rap music, I think a significant amount of storytelling is done in music videos— which rap music revolutionized. Additionally, the legal system places a far greater weight on criminal offenses being seen, and not just heard. Thus, it will be imperative to offer a visual analysis of any legal transgressions or lawful behaviors. To do this, I’ll be using found footage and contribute a voice over or the analysis of such videos from outside sources.
This video will contribute to the ultimate form of my essay, because it will help me target and shape the claim I make comparing legal narratives and rap narratives. Ultimately, by using the social narrative of messages sent via rap music presented by THUG, the legal assessment of storytelling in general presented by Sheppelle, and the critical race theory of narratives and law I’ll be able to make a claim about the overlap of legal narratives and societal narratives presented by rap music and the respective videos visualizing such narratives.
