New Books in Critical Theory Bryan McCann, "The Mark of Criminality: Rhetoric, Race, and Gangsta Rap in the War-on-Crime Era" (U Alabama Press, 2017)
Dec 26, 2023
Bryan McCann, Associate Professor of Communication at Louisiana State University, discusses his book 'The Mark of Criminality' which explores the complex meanings of crime and criminality during the war-on-crime era. Topics include the connection between gangsta rap and African folklore, the portrayal of black men as threats, the political work of gangsta rap, the challenges of writing about rap as a white author, and the controversy surrounding Snoop Dogg and blackface.
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Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Introduction
00:00 • 2min
The Mark of Criminality
01:55 • 23min
The Connection Between Gangsta Rap and African Folklore, and the Portrayal of the Black Beast
24:52 • 5min
Violence, Joy, and the Political Work of Gangsta Rap
30:06 • 2min
The Challenges of Writing About Gangster Rap as a White Author
32:00 • 19min
Controversy Surrounding Snoop Dogg, Blackface, and Stereotyping
51:12 • 2min
Reflections on the Book and the Construction of Crime
53:13 • 3min
Perception and affect in the War-on-Crime era
56:06 • 6min