Episode 22: Art Not Evidence: On the Use of Rap Lyrics in Criminal Trials
Tuesday 14 October 2025
How should art be interpreted in the courtroom? Is it fair for an artist to have their art be scrutinised and analysed within a judicial setting? In this episode of Ratio, Dr Luke McDonagh engages in a two-part conversation with Dr Abenaa Owusu-Bempah to analyse how rap lyrics are used in criminal trials and how this fails to meet some of the basic evidentiary standards. Beyond the theoretical issues at play, the use of artistic expression for prosecutorial purposes may illustrate deeper, systemic issues within the criminal justice system and its relationship to the communities that produce this art.
This episode was produced by Mohid Malik with music by Mustafa Tauseef .
Speakers: Luke McDonagh and Abenaa Owusu-Bempah