Afroman on Becoming the 2028 Libertarian Presidential Nominee
Afroman discusses his free speech court victory, why he thinks he could unite America, and whether he feels pressure to always be high.
Rap
Jury Clears Afroman of Defamation for Mocking Cops Who Raided His House
Ohio sheriff's deputies raided Afroman's house in 2022 based on a bogus tip, then sued the rapper after he released music videos mocking the deputies.
The University of Tennessee Nearly Expelled a Student for Racy Tweets, Now Agrees To Pay Her $250,000
The settlement vindicates Kimberly Diei's First Amendment right to comment on sexually explicit rap songs without suffering government retaliation.
Rapper B.G. Ordered To Turn Over New Song Lyrics to the Feds
Supervised release shouldn't require former inmates to give up their First Amendment rights.
Review: The Peculiar Politics of Killer Mike
The rapper is a Bernie Sanders supporter who speaks out about gun rights and free speech.
Ohio Cops Raided Afroman's House Looking for a Dungeon Because of a Bizarre Confidential Informant Tip
All they found was some cool cars and clothes.
Ohio Cops Sue Afroman for Using Video of Them Raiding His House in Music Videos
Seven sheriff's deputies say the rapper subjected them to "embarrassment, ridicule, emotional distress, humiliation, and loss of reputation" after a drug bust on his house came up empty.
Conservative Cancel Culture Comes to Kurdistan
Religious Kurds used social media to shut down a rap concert—and they're swinging their weight around politics, too.
From Halftime Show to Social Media, Calls To Ban Rap
Plus: Texas voting law likely unconstitutional, remote workers and rural towns, and more...
How the Government Seized a Rare Wu-Tang Clan Album (and a DAO Bought It Back)
Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, formerly owned by Martin Shkreli, was auctioned off by the government and bought by the blockchain/art enthusiasts at PleasrDAO.
Donda Is a Portal Into Kanye West's Exquisite Mania
He may have taken off the MAGA cap. But he's still finding a way to push people's buttons.
Lil Nas X Uses Chart-Topping 'Industry Baby' To Stump for Bail Reform
Around half a million Americans are stuck at any given time in pretrial detention, often because they can’t afford freedom.
Drakeo the Ruler Recorded an Album on a Prison Phone
The rapper, whose real name is Darell Caldwell, is speaking out about his lyrics and videos being used against him in a murder trial.
Eminem's Latest Music Video Mixes a Graphic Reenactment of Las Vegas Shooting With a Sappy Call for Gun Control
The song and music video amount to grotesque, self-obsessed celebrity activism.
Rapper Drakeo the Ruler Was Accused of Murder. Prosecutors Used His Music as Proof of His Guilt.
Prof. Erik Nielson says in Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America rappers everywhere are not getting a fair shake in the courtroom.
Rapper Meek Mill's 12-Year Probation Nightmare Finally Comes to an End
Mill's legal problems are now over, but he remains involved in efforts to push for important probation reforms.
The Supreme Court Declines to Hear the Case of a Rapper Convicted for His Anti-Cop Lyrics
The case drew support from rappers like Killer Mike, Chance the Rapper, and Meek Mill.
New Tracks From Meek Mill and Chance the Rapper Tackle Criminal Justice and Trump
Settle in with some headphones and get ready to nod.
Chance the Rapper Buys Chicagoist, Promises to Investigate Rahm Emanuel
"And Rahm, you done, I'm expectin' resignation..."
Saudi Woman Rapper Drops the Mic on Driving Ban Repeal
Leesa buckles her seatbelt across her abaya to celebrate the end of the female driving ban.
From Katy Perry To Rita Ora: A Very Short History of Pop-Music Lesbianism and What It Says About Social Progress
The distance traveled from 2008's "I Kissed a Girl" to today's "Girls" can't be measured in years alone.
Kmele Foster's Sympathy for Joy-Ann Reid and Disinterest in Kanye's Politics
Latest Fifth Column also features qualified Matt Welch defense of Rand Paul's Pompeo flip, plus a cautionary tale about a racist chew-toy.
She Posted Rap Lyrics to Remember a Dead Teen, So the U.K. Prosecuted Her for Hate Speech
Why all Americans should be thankful for the First Amendment
The U.S. Government Wants to Seize 'Pharma Bro' Martin Shkreli's Wu-Tang Clan Album
And it might be coming to a U.S. Marshals auction listing near you.
