Can gangsta rap break the law?

Antonia Bruneder is a researcher at the Department of Public Law and Political Science. Photo: Uni Graz / Tzivanopoulos

Antonia Bruneder's research focus is on the administrative and constitutional aspects of art law. Using the example of German-language gangsta rap, she takes a detailed look at the right of artistic freedom.

“I've reached the legal grey zone. | But in court I'll make it easy for myself. | Report me to the police and I'll open a bottle of champagne. | It's all covered by artistic freedom.”

In this verse, rapper Danger Dan takes a satirical look at the fundamental right to artistic expression. Is there really a grey zone for artists to live in? Antonia Bruneder analyses this issue from a musicological and legal perspective. She discusses the limits of freedom of expression and artistic freedom using the example of gangsta rap, which often contains racist, misogynistic, violence-glorifying and homophobic lyrics. Musicians, however, do not fear the legal consequences of their expression: on the contrary, they consciously use the justice system as an element of their performance.

Antonia Bruneder, a “researcher in demand” at the University of Graz

Gudrun Pichler

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