La Rumeur: accused of inciting violence against the police and the media Interview with French hip hop group La Rumeur When it was fashionable for French hip hop groups to sign up for a major label La Rumeur went underground. But when fashion went underground, the six-member rap band turned to EMI to release its first album, "L'ombre sur la mesure" ("Shadow on the (music) measure"). Like the two EPs it had earlier released on the underground circuit, it is politically-charged and drenched in a denunciation of France's colonial repression that their parents fled. As a result of the articulate lyrics and uniquely jazzy rhythms, this group from the Paris outskirts helped to redefine the hip hop scene in France.... but faced crippling legal court cases as a consequence. Throughout much of 2004 they fought lawyers representing the Ministry of Interior and Skyrock radio who accused them of inciting violence against the police and the media, respectively.
The band Sniper has outraged deputies in the governing UMP party with "La France," a foul-mouthed anti-society rant that taps the deep sense of alienation of disaffected French youths
International Development Minister Gareth Thomas fears that discrimination against homosexuals is deterring people from being tested for HIV. "A number of artistes are effectively contributing to the spread of HIV by producing reggae and rap songs actually encouraging discrimination"
The government is considering banning reggae star Sizzla from the UK. Meanwhile detectives are investigating claims that lyrics penned by eight leading reggae artists incite violence against homosexuals and are therefore illegal.
On 23 September 2008, rap musician Hamé of leading French underground rap groups, La Rumeur, was acquitted after a long, legal battle against president Nicolas Sarkozy
For the last six years one of France's leading underground rap groups, La Rumeur, has been locked in a legal battle against current French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
While struggling with censorship in Khartoum, the Sudanese singer-songwriter Abazar Hamid hopes to bring peace to Sudan with his music, reported Stephanie McCrummen
The Canadian group that called for a boycott of Jamaica unless the country's government take action on homophobic violence has called it off after recieving an official letter
