Nadia Whittome, no longer Britain’s youngest MP but still quite possibly its daftest, has a new bee in her bonnet. Writing on Nottingham’s funkiest website LeftLion, she reveals that she has teamed up with campaign group Art Not Evidence and plans to bring a bill before parliament about rap lyrics (particularly the bleak subgenres of trap and drill) being used as evidence in court. Her bill will aim to raise ‘the threshold of admissibility to ensure that it’s only considered when it’s relevant and justified, and not indiscriminately.’

Nadia is upset about ‘negative stereotypes’. ‘[Rap] can still be viewed with suspicion, and associated with gangs, drugs and violence,’ she tells us. Heavens to Betsy, I wonder why that could possibly be?

Nadia is upset about ‘negative stereotypes’

I’m longing to see the wording of this proposed legislation. How exactly would this work? If someone confesses to a crime, does it not count if they do it in rhyme? How on earth will rap be defined in law? How will ethnicity – a major plank of her objection to drill music being used in court – be wedged in?

Presumably Whittome would be equally blasé if there were skinhead groups of the thankfully defunct ‘Oi’ genre bragging about the murders of black men – it’s only art, after all.

Hilariously, Whittome also writes ‘It’s no coincidence that specifically rap is targeted in such a way, even though so many other artists, from The Killers to Taylor Swift, have referenced crime in their songs’. Now as far as I can tell, neither Taylor Swift nor The Killers have been in the dock. (Calling themselves ‘The Killers’ would’ve been a bit of a giveaway.) But I’m pretty sure if and when that happens, their songs will be seized on by the prosecution.

Music made by gang members about gang warfare has been brought up in court, and has led to convictions.

QOSHE - Taking the rap / Nadia Whittome is deluded about drill music - Gareth Roberts
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Taking the rap / Nadia Whittome is deluded about drill music

6 1
16.01.2024

Nadia Whittome, no longer Britain’s youngest MP but still quite possibly its daftest, has a new bee in her bonnet. Writing on Nottingham’s funkiest website LeftLion, she reveals that she has teamed up with campaign group Art Not Evidence and plans to bring a bill before parliament about rap lyrics (particularly the bleak subgenres of trap and drill) being used as evidence in court. Her bill will aim to raise ‘the threshold of admissibility to ensure that it’s only........

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