Filthy Slime (Part 1)
A musical moral panic or something more?
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Music has been a feature of American culture wars since at least the time of Elvis Presley’s gyrating dance moves on The Ed Sullivan show in 1956. But amidst all the moral panics about hip-shaking and backmasking, there is a legitimate and fascinating question about the role and influence that popular music plays on human behavior and on society more broadly.
Today, we are publishing the first episode in our breakdown of the debate around rap on trial and what it says (and misses) about the role of music in culture. We begin in 1985 with Tipper Gore’s fight against Prince and the obscenity of 80’s rock music, then dive deep into the rapper Young Thug’s current RICO case in Atlanta Georgia and other cases where music is being brought into criminal trials.
Our goal, as always, is to try and understand this story and everyone involved in the best faith possible. Which, yes, means we are going to steel-man Tipper Gore, Young Thug and T.I. all in the same story.
To listen to Filthy Slime Part 2 right now, you can become a subscriber today:
Special thanks to our guests, Billboard Magazine’s Bill Donahoe and Van Lathan from The Higher Learning Podcast. As well as Prince Paul, Jason Kramer, Kmele Foster, and Megan Phelps-Roper.
Music in this episode from Cobey Bienart and Peter Lalish
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We will read all feedback and respond in a future episode.
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Van Lathan’s Higher Learning Podcast
Really appreciate you guys looking into this. I've been looking for clarity on the debate over RICO usage and lyrics coming into trials (which has been banned in a few jurisdictions). And always interesting to listen to someone take these issues seriously with an analytical lens. Excited for the next installment!
It’s so good. Thank you. Pretty sure I upgraded to paid but can’t find the link to part 2… 🤔