Supreme Court Justices, from left, Chief Justice John Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan await the start of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, February 12, 2013. (Pool photo courtesy of Charles Dharapak/AP via Abaca Press/MCT)“Today I didn’t even have to use my AK/ I got to say it was a good day” is how the Ice Cube classic about the life of a gangster goes. Although the song is nearly 22 years old, it may play a pivotal role in an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Elonis v. United States this term — a case revolving around the implied threat of violence from rap lyrics. To aid in the case, two hip-hop experts have filed an amicus brief in order to enlighten the Supreme Court’s admittedly aged bench about the nuances of rap music.
While many of the lyrics mention guns, drugs, and violence, often times the poetic messages of the songs speak to larger themes about life in the more disadvantaged areas of urban metropolises.
Without further adieu, here are 5 songs the Supreme Court should listen to before hearing Elonis:
"Regulate" – Warren G and Nate Dogg
A tale of two friends forced to defend themselves against the dangers of city life; "Regulate" is not only a great song, but also a worthwhile story.
"Yonkers" — Tyler, the Creator
While any song from the rap collective OFWGKTA would suffice, I can’t imagine any better example than "Yonkers" to explain the use of violent tropes in music to serve a greater artistic purpose. This dichotomous track from contemporary rap star and professional provocateur would work great with Justice Antonin Scalia’s ride to work in the morning.
Changes – Tupac Shakur
Tupac was more than a rapper — he was a community leader. Tupac’s song "Changes" laments the struggles of being a minority and the frustration of living in a society that is so happy with the idea of changing, but unwilling to change its institutions.
Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City (album) — Kendrick Lamar
Is this an album? Yeah, it is. But the entire album is so important to a modern understanding of rap music that no single song should be ignored.
Woo Woo Swag – Lil B
Any number of tracks from Lil B would educate the bench, but hit "Wonton Soup" does it best. By taking head on the tropes of modern rap music, Lil B investigates the rationale for them existing in the first place, and the weight they carry.
Reach the reporter for mad rap suggestions at zjenning@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @humanzane
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