Charis Kubrin

Charis Kubrin, a criminology professor at UC Irvine, delves into the controversial use of rap lyrics in legal cases. She shares her expertise on how these artistic expressions are misinterpreted as evidence, often with harmful racial implications. The discussion highlights the challenges of assessing rap's cultural significance and the advocacy for reforms like California's AB 2799. Kubrin emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of rap to counteract biases that skew justice, shedding light on the intersection of creativity and the law.

Charis Kubrin, a Professor of Criminology at UC Irvine, dives into the complexities of the U.S. incarceration system and the controversial use of rap lyrics in court. She explores how hip-hop reflects societal issues and biases that influence legal outcomes, especially against aspiring rappers. The conversation touches on mass incarceration's troubling statistics, the intersection of wealth and justice, and the deeper social commentary embedded in hip-hop culture. Kubrin emphasizes the need for reform and understanding of artistic expression within the justice system.