Jailhouse Roc: The FACTS About Hip Hop and Prison for Profit (2024)

Search

  • Khafre Jay

    • Jul 23, 2019
    • 1 min read

Updated: Feb 9, 2021

Right now, three companies (Warner Records, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Group) control around 90% of the depiction of Hip Hop. At the same time, two companies, CoreCivic (formerly CCA Corrections Corporation of America) and GEO Group own almost all the private prison beds in the USA. What connects these two industries together? Vaunguard and Blackrock which are the largest shareholders in both media and prisons!

Jailhouse Roc: The FACTS About Hip Hop and Prison for Profit (1)

an excerpt written by Homeboy Sandman | 4/24/13 | Davey D's Hip Hop Corner

"Last year Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the biggest name in the private prison industry, contacted 48 states offering to buy their prisons. One stipulation of eligibility for the deal was particularly bizarre: “an assurance by the agency partner that the agency has sufficient inmate population to maintain a minimum 90% occupancy rate over the term of the contract.

What kind of legitimate and ethical measures could possibly be taken to ensure the maintenance of a 90% prison occupancy rate?

Two months later ananonymous email was sent out to various members of the music and publishing industries giving an account of a meeting where it was determined that hip-hop music would be manipulated to drive up privatized prison profits. Its author, despite claiming to be a former industry insider, did not provide the names of anyone involved in the plot, nor did he specify by which company he himself was employed. As such, the letter was largely regarded as a fraud for lack of facts."

For more of this article, head to Davey D's Hip Hop Corner and and please consider becoming a monthly donor to support Hip Hop Education for our youth. Donate here

#massincarceration

0 views0 comments

Jailhouse Roc: The FACTS About Hip Hop and Prison for Profit (2024)

FAQs

What is the connection between hip hop and prison? ›

Rap music was born during an era of economic vulnerability and tough-on-crime policies, which also contributed to mass incarceration. Since its birth, rappers of all genres—party, conscious, political, and gangsta—and in every era have written songs critical of social, economic, and legal injustices.

How do prisons make a profit? ›

A private prison can offer its services to the government and charge $150 per day per inmate. Generally speaking, the government will agree to these terms if the $150 is less than if the prison was publicly run. That difference is where the private prison makes its money.

What are 2 things that make hip hop unique? ›

While there is some debate over the number of elements of hip-hop, there are four elements that are considered to be its pillars: deejaying, or “turntabling”; rapping, also known as “MCing” (emceeing) or “rhyming”; graffiti painting, also known as “graf” or “writing”; and break dancing, or “B-boying,” which encompasses ...

What are the 3 main parts of hip-hop? ›

The most common view is that hip-hop is a cultural movement that emerged in the South Bronx in New York City during the 1970s, with MCing (or rapping) being one of the primary four elements. Hip hop's other three essential elements are graffiti art (or aerosol art), break dancing, and DJing.

Why is hip-hop obsessed with money? ›

Why some rappers love showing off their wealth and why audiences have never grown tired of hearing about it is because it's a representation of status. At the end of the day, money and all that comes with it is at the center of most peoples' ambitions. Hip-hop doesn't hide that. Yes, it's about artistry.

Why is jail and prison different? ›

Jail and prison are two separate entities that are often mixed up. The difference between jail and prison is mostly the length of stay for inmates. Jail is more for a short-term sentence, while prison is for those with a long-term sentence.

Why was it called hip-hop? ›

The rapper used the words hip/hop/hip/hop, imitating the sound of soldiers marching, in reference to a friend who had joined the army. According to some accounts, Kevin (”Lovebug Starski”) Smith was with Wiggins and helped create the phrase.

How much do prisons profit? ›

Private prisons make a profit – an estimated $374 million annually – giving them an incentive to cut costs more than public facilities. Private facilities have been shown to hire fewer staff and train them less. They also pay less, leading to higher turnover and less experienced and well-equipped officers.

What are the pros and cons of prisons for profit? ›

Prison privatization has both pros and cons. The pros include lower cost and better performance, and the cons include a for-profit prison that encourages extended confinement, less security, health care cuts, and a lack of transparency.

What are the pros of for profit prisons? ›

The advantages of private prisons include lower operating cost, controlling the population of prisoners, and the creation of jobs in the community. The disadvantages of private prisons include a lack of cost-effectiveness, a lack of security and safety concerns, poor conditions, and the potential for corruption.

What is the most important thing in hip-hop? ›

Four foundational elements characterize hip hop culture. The original four main pillars of hip hop include DJing/turntablism, MCing/rapping, B-boying/breaking, and visual/graffiti art.

What are the 7 elements of hip-hop? ›

Culture
  • DJing.
  • MCing.
  • Graffiti.
  • Breakdancing.
  • Beatboxing.
  • Beatmaking/producing.
  • Language.

Who was the first black rapper? ›

Kurtis Walker (born August 9, 1959), professionally known by his stage name Kurtis Blow, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record/film producer, b-boy, DJ, public speaker and minister. He is the first commercially successful rapper and the first to sign with a major record label.

What are 2 interesting facts about hip hop dance? ›

Hip hop dance originated in the streets, and none of the dancers was professionally trained then. Hip hop is a fusion genre because it consists of several movements such as locking and popping, elements of tap and Jazz, African dance etc. You can learn all the styles from a dance academy.

What is a fun fact about hip-hop? ›

DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican DJ, is recognized as one of the earliest hip hop DJs and artists. Some credit him with officially originating hip hop music through his 1973 "Back to School Jam". 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, the Bronx, a venue used by Kool Herc that is often considered the birthplace of hip hop on August 11, 1973.

What is one fact about hip-hop? ›

The birthplace of hip-hop is The Bronx, New York, during the early 1970s. DJ Kool Herc developed the break style in DJing and records that became the blueprint for the genre of hip-hop.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Melvina Ondricka

Last Updated:

Views: 5621

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Melvina Ondricka

Birthday: 2000-12-23

Address: Suite 382 139 Shaniqua Locks, Paulaborough, UT 90498

Phone: +636383657021

Job: Dynamic Government Specialist

Hobby: Kite flying, Watching movies, Knitting, Model building, Reading, Wood carving, Paintball

Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.