The Rate At Which Murders Go Unsolved For These Rappers Is Astronomical
hich of your favorite rappers were taken too soon? Chances are, you were a fan of more than one murdered hip-hop artist. That's because the murder rate among rappers is frighteningly high - nearly reaching two per year. However, even scarier than that is the unsolved hip-hop murder rate. It's no surprise that the hip-hop industry is underserved by the justice system, but out of the 56 rappers murdered since its inception, 36 cases remain unresolved. That is 70 percent!
Considering the high profile of some of these cases, you would expect the criminal justice system to work a little better. The national clearance rate for all homicides is an impressive - and surprising - 64.1 percent, but let's get specific. A case is less likely to be solved if it involves black victims and offenders, and hip-hop is representative of the black community. That's why there is only a 30 percent clearance rate among victims of violence in hip-hop, less than half of the national average.
Considering the high profile of some of these cases, you would expect the criminal justice system to work a little better. The national clearance rate for all homicides is an impressive - and surprising - 64.1 percent, but let's get specific. A case is less likely to be solved if it involves black victims and offenders, and hip-hop is representative of the black community. That's why there is only a 30 percent clearance rate among victims of violence in hip-hop, less than half of the national average.
Nearly Three Out Of Four Are Unsolved
Most people are familiar with the big names who've been murdered, and they're surrounded by conspiracies. There really isn't any conspiracy if you recognize inequality. The law, statistically, only puts energy into arresting members of the black community for petty, nonviolent crimes, not the serious cases. If you don't believe it, here's some evidence -- In a study conducted in New York over a 12-month period, 86 percent of homicide cases involving a white victim were solved, but only 45 percent of those involving a black victim were solved. This is racial disparity, and slain hip-hop figures are a high profile example of this inequality.
It was with 25-year-old Scott La Rock's murder in 1987 that hip-hop realized it wasn't immune to inner city violence. Of course, this had been the subject of hip-hop since the beginning, as the genre and culture offered an outlet and resource for those in the black community. Scott's manager commented that, "In some respects, rap music and violence seem to go hand in hand. But it's not the music itself, it's the environment. Violence was here long before hip-hop."
It was with 25-year-old Scott La Rock's murder in 1987 that hip-hop realized it wasn't immune to inner city violence. Of course, this had been the subject of hip-hop since the beginning, as the genre and culture offered an outlet and resource for those in the black community. Scott's manager commented that, "In some respects, rap music and violence seem to go hand in hand. But it's not the music itself, it's the environment. Violence was here long before hip-hop."
The alarming rate of murder in hip-hop, and the subsequent lack of justice, is not only tragic, but enlightening. Sure, the murder rate in impoverished communities shouldn't be so high, but the solution is to reduce poverty and actually solve murder cases, rather than focus on the prosecution of petty crimes. Don't forget to watch the video to hear the members of the Cali Swag District discuss the loss of their 22-year-old friend, and fellow "Dougie" rapper, M-Bone.
What do you think about the unsolved hip-hop murder rate? Make sure to SHARE these interesting facts and discuss them with your friends on FACEBOOK!
What do you think about the unsolved hip-hop murder rate? Make sure to SHARE these interesting facts and discuss them with your friends on FACEBOOK!