Rap was a reaction to violent society, not a cause of it

by Andrew Gumbel

Independent January 7, 2003

Anyone trying to trace links between hip hop music and gun violence will inevitably look at the United States, where street killings, drive-by shootings, violent rap lyrics and the murders of three prominent hip hop stars have provided fodder for headline writers over the past 15 years.

Blunkett condemns violence in gangsta rap lyrics

by Nigel Morris and Jason Bennetto

Independent January 7, 2003

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, called for talks yesterday with record industry chiefs over violent lyrics in rap music. He backed comments by Kim Howells, the Culture minister, who sparked accusations of racism when he denounced "boasting macho idiot rappers".

Stop shooting from the hip and start listening

by Johann Hari

Independent January 7, 2003

The public debate following the shooting of four teenage girls in Birmingham last Friday has followed a troublingly predictable pattern. The Government says it was planning to crack down on guns all along, announces some draconian-sounding measures that will mean more people being banged up for longer and then cheapens the argument further by some tabloid point-scoring.

Gun crime will not be defeated by ministerial soundbites and bad laws

Leading article

Independent January 7, 2003