From the Trials of Pooh Shiesty & Big30: The Intersection of Global Hip Hop and the Justice System

Recently, while following international news feeds, I came across an article stating that trial dates have been set for two rappers, Pooh Shiesty and Big30. Few Hip Hop fans would be unfamiliar with their names. There's no doubt that these two, hailing from Memphis, have made a powerful impact on the music scene. However, the fact that their careers are being tested in court, I feel, poses a significant question not only for their music but also for the future of global Hip Hop, especially for artists deeply connected to the streets.

As a musician who exclusively focuses on BOOM BAP, I craft beats using FL Studio and AKAI MPC X. I usually delve deep into Japanese rap, US underground, and South American Hip Hop. However, transcending genres, the raw authenticity of their music and how that authenticity clashes with the justice system is a theme that, as a musician and a lover of street culture, I cannot overlook.

Shock from Memphis: The Reality of the Streets and the Shadow of Justice

Pooh Shiesty and Big30 are Memphis, Tennessee-based rappers whose music often heavily features elements of gangsta rap and trap. Their lyrics candidly depict the street realities they've experienced—violence, poverty, and their will to overcome them. This is a major reason why their music resonates with many listeners, especially those in similar circumstances.

In the American Hip Hop scene, it's not uncommon for artists who pursue the realities of the streets to clash with the justice system. Specifically, there's a growing trend of the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), which targets organized crime, being applied to rappers associated with gangs. This means that not only individual crimes but also their music, lyrics, and social media activities can potentially be viewed as "activities as a member of a criminal organization." Just as Public Enemy once sang "Fight the Power," Hip Hop has always functioned as a counter to power and systems, but today, the expression itself is exposed to legal risks, creating a complex situation.

Here, I'd like to briefly explain the situation in Japan for international readers. Japanese Hip Hop, especially Japanese rap, has undergone its own unique evolution. Of course, influences from US gangsta rap can be seen in early Japanese rap, but because Japan's judicial system and social structure are vastly different from those in America, cases where rappers are indicted under organized crime laws like the RICO Act are extremely rare. Legal issues for rappers in Japan primarily involve cannabis control laws and drug-related offenses, and it is exceedingly rare for violent lyrics or performances to be directly linked to the activities of criminal organizations and become the subject of trials. Japanese streets also have their own culture, but the balance between freedom of expression and the legal framework differs significantly from America. Understanding this difference will make the profoundness of the issues faced by Pooh Shiesty and Big30 more apparent.

Tracks that form their worldview

The music of Pooh Shiesty and Big30 conveys the breath of the city of Memphis to listeners. Let's delve into some of their tracks.

• Pooh Shiesty – Back In Blood (feat. Lil Durk)
  This track is one of Pooh Shiesty's signature songs, and it's no exaggeration to say it defined his career. The cold, relentless 808 bass and dark synths are striking. The lyrics express his lived street experiences and his unsparing perspective on them. The interplay with Lil Durk heightens the tension, and the music video directly conveys their lifestyle.
• Big30 – Allegations
  Big30's 'Allegations' also reflects the reality they face. As the title itself suggests, there are many references to legal issues such as lawsuits and accusations. His characteristic low, husky voice combined with a heavy beat creates an urgent mood. The lyrics reveal feelings of betrayal and paranoia, which are constantly held by those who live on the streets.

These tracks function not merely as entertainment, but as a 'voice' expressing the environment they live in and the conflicts and claims that arise from it.

A Beatmaker's Perspective: Their Sound and Flow

I regularly make beats using FL Studio and MPC. Analyzing their music from a beatmaking perspective reveals the evolution and uniqueness of the Memphis trap sound.

First, the core of their tracks are intense 808 bass and fast, complex hi-hat patterns. While this is characteristic of trap, Memphis artists, in particular, effectively use minimalistic yet dark and unsettling melody lines. Sounds like synth pads and bells add depth and atmosphere to beats that might otherwise become monotonous. Regarding sampling, their sound seems to focus more on constructing original, edgy synth and drum sounds rather than directly quoting existing soul or funk. This differs from the approach of chopping and reconstructing soulful samples in BOOM BAP, which I prefer, but I feel there is much to learn from the sophistication and originality in their sound construction.

As for their flow, they often deliver with a flat tone, yet exude a strong presence. While spitting words at high speed, they effectively use accents and pauses to add weight to the lyrical content. Pooh Shiesty's slightly higher voice and Big30's husky voice are contrasting, but both convey a strong will to communicate 'their reality.' This 'reality' makes their music feel like a documentary rather than mere fiction, and when it intertwines with legal issues, it further highlights the impact of that 'reality'.

Who should listen to this

The music of Pooh Shiesty and Big30, and the legal issues they face, are not merely about the activities of specific artists.

• Those interested in the intersection of street culture and the judicial system: Their cases provide significant insights into understanding how Hip Hop reflects society and how it is perceived by society.
• Japanese rap listeners who want to know the real situation in the US: By comparing the differences between the Japanese scene and overseas scenes, you should be able to deeply understand the diversity and universality of Hip Hop culture.
• Beatmakers and music producers: This is a good opportunity to learn how 'rawness' and 'urgency' are expressed through sound at the forefront of modern trap music.

Their music is sometimes associated with violence and crime, but at its root lies the cry of people's souls living through harsh realities. While their fate in court is not yet determined, the process itself highlights the impact Hip Hop has on society and the impact society has on Hip Hop. Even from the perspective of this writer in Japan, their activities are a very important event for predicting the future of the global Hip Hop scene.