Exploring the indictment and trial of Young Thug and the YSL rap collective, accused of operating as a criminal street gang involved in various crimes. Examining the relationship between rap music and the criminal underworld, and how this case challenges traditional perceptions of gangs.
As a racketeering trial begins in Atlanta, much of the focus is on the high-profile defendant, the best-selling rapper Young Thug.
Joe Coscarelli, a culture reporter for The New York Times, explains why, in a sense, hip-hop itself is on trial.
Guest: Joe Coscarelli, a culture reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- A judge ruled in November that at least 17 specific sets of lines from the Atlanta artist and his collaborators could be used by prosecutors in the racketeering trial of YSL, a chart-topping hip-hop label and collective.
- Here’s what to know about the trial.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.