Although hip-hop is normally associated with criminal law, the way in which hip-hop is consumed and viewed is shaped largely by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. No less surprising is that ever since the act was put into place, hip-hop has struggled creatively to go beyond gangsta rap and party tunes. We quickly blame the labels and artists for the state of game, but it seems the law plays a larger role than many think. That will be the focus of a panel in New York tomorrow called "Hip-hop and the Telecommunications Act of 1996," featuring, among other notables, Prefixer Rafael Martinez.
Panelists:
Jeru the Damaja
Akilah Folami
Professor, Hofstra University School of Law
Author, From Habermas to 'Get Rich or Die Tryin': Hip Hop, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the Black Public Sphere, Michigan Journal of Race & Law (2007)
Rafael Martinez
Writer, Prefixmag.com
President, Latin American Law Students Association, Cardozo School of Law
Date: Tuesday, November 13 @ 6 p.m.
Location: Cardozo School of Law, 5th Avenue and 12th Street, Moot Court Room (first floor)
Food and drinks will be served.