Program Summary: Michael Berry, University of Washington, “Rap Music and the Law”

Dr. Michael Berry

By Nancy Bittner

Dr. Michael Berry, lecturer in the Department of Music at the University of Washington, teaches courses in hip hop, rock & roll, and music theory.  He plays the double bass in the Federal Way Symphony & Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.  He previously taught at Texas Tech.  He earned a Ph.D. in music theory from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, and a master’s degree in music theory and a Bachelor of Music in double bass performance from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He enjoys cycling, running, & cooking with his family & friends.  Michael presented a program entitled “Rap Music and the Law” on November 12, 2020. He focused on a trial, in which he was called as an expert when a young RAP artist was on trial for felony charges.

Rap music has been the bestselling music genre over the last 10 years and rap lyrics have been used as evidence against mostly young black men in criminal trials.

With the makeup of our club membership, it is fair to say that not many of us are knowledgeable about the ins and outs of rap music.  A couple of our members in the younger age group may feel differently.  A frequently asked question is “Where should one start if we were to check out rap music?”  Michael gave us a list of artists & songs that you can find below.

The lawyers in the club were interested to know if Michael’s testimony had a positive effect on the trial he was called to participate in.  Sadly, the defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to a lengthy prison term.

Check out Michael’s power point presentation & musical suggestions on our club website.  Enjoy!

Michael Berry, University of Washington: Rap Music and the Law Presentation (Slides):  Download

15 Rap Songs You Should Know, Michael Berry, University of Washington

As with any list like this, “importance” is relative. Some songs are important to rap’s history; others are representative of other trends; some are here because of personal preference. I tried to provide a wide cross-section with a little something for everyone.

  1. Sugarhill Gang, “Rapper’s Delight” (1979). (YouTube and lyrics). This was the first significant rap record that brought rap to the airwaves.
  2. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, “The Message” (1982). (YouTube and lyrics) This was the first socially conscious rap that rose to popularity, calling attention to the conditions in the South Bronx and similar areas.
  3. Run D.M.C., “Walk This Way” (1986). (YouTube and lyrics). An important early rock-rap crossover that had lots of airplay on MTV, the song helped rap cross over to a white audience.
  4. Public Enemy, “Bring the Noise” (1987). (YouTube and lyrics). One of the most outspoken political rap groups from the 1980s, with strong roots in the Black Power movement.
  5. Eric B. and Rakim, “Follow the Leader” (1988). (YouTube and lyrics). No one rhymes like Rakim. One of my favorite songs.
  6. Queen Latifah, “Ladies First” (1989). (YouTube and lyrics). The first lady of rap extols the virtues of women in a field dominated by men.
  7. Ice-T, “Midnight.” (1991). (YouTube and lyrics). Ice-T is the godfather of gangsta rap, and his storytelling ability convinced me that there was something to be studied in this music.
  8. Cypress Hill, “Insane in the Membrane,” (1993). (YouTube and lyrics). One of the first important Latino rap groups, and one of the first to vocally advocate for the legalization of marijuana. B Real’s voice is among the most unique in rap.
  9. Notorious B.I.G., “Things Done Changed,” (1994). (YouTube and lyrics). Biggie was the kind of East-Coast rap during the height of the “East-Coast/West-Coast” feud. His lyricism is effortless and evocative. There should absolutely be a Tupac song on this list (check out “Changes” or “Dear Mama”) but I like Biggie better.
  10. Outkast, “B.O.B” (2000). (YouTube and lyrics). From one of the rap groups that put the south (the “third coast”) on the map. This song goes—nothing else sounded like it at the time.
  11. Eminem, “White America,” (2002). (YouTube and lyrics). One of the few white rappers respected by the hip hop community. This song is an indictment of the hypocrisy of rap audiences.
  12. Missy Elliott, “Work It,” (2002). (YouTube and lyrics). No one has ever sounded like Missy Elliott, and it’s likely no one ever will. Her music is always unique and ahead of its time—she’s on the cover of my book for a reason.
  13. Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Nicki Minaj, “Monster,” (2010). (Vimeo and lyrics) For all of his eccentricities, West is a legendary producer and is able to get top-shelf artists together on tracks like this. Minaj’s verse is probably one of the best of the 2010s.
  14. Migos, “Versace,” (2013). (YouTube and lyrics). I couldn’t stand this group when I first heard them, but when I came to realize that they were simply playing around with the sounds of words—just like every artist before them—they grew on me. They are among the most high-profile “trap” artists, music that emerged from Atlanta’s drug scene.
  15. Rapsody, “Nina,” (2019). (YouTube and lyrics). Rapsody is one of the most gifted rappers working today. Her album Eve pays homage to the contributions of Black women to our culture.