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Music documentary

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial (2024): Cast & Ratings

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial (2024) movie poster

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial is a 2024 music documentary directed by J.M. Harper, starring Kemba, Killer Mike and Bun B. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
Echo Score
58
Metascore
74
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As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
J.M. Harper
Genres
Documentary , Music
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial About?

The premise of As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial without spoilers.

This documentary explores the controversial practice of using rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials. Through the experiences of Bronx-based rapper Kemba, the film examines how artistic expression is increasingly being weaponized in courtrooms across America and internationally, raising questions about freedom of speech and the interpretation of creative works.

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • reenactment
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Cast & crew

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial Cast & Characters

Kemba leads the cast, with Killer Mike and Bun B. Directed by J.M. Harper; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial

· 16 more
From the director

More from J.M. Harper

One more film directed by J.M. Harper: As We Speak.

Full filmography
Ratings

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

58 /100

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial Echo Score Breakdown

The documentary delivers a compelling argument about artistic freedom and the intersection of rap lyrics with the law, supported by strong interview material and illustrative research. However, critics note a tendency toward repetition and occasional loss of narrative focus, which limits its structural cohesion. Overall, the film is informative and thought‑provoking, yet its execution remains uneven, resulting in a mixed impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of direction and editing, the film presents a clear thesis and uses occasional animations to maintain visual interest. Reviewers acknowledge the effective use of rhetorical framing, but also point out a basic overall format and occasional heavy‑handed staging. The craftsmanship is serviceable, though not particularly distinguished.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to interview subjects and emotional resonance, the documentary gathers insightful commentary from rappers and legal experts, creating moments of nuance. Critics praise the depth of the testimonies and the compelling presentation of personal narratives, with few remarks of weakness, resulting in a generally positive assessment of character engagement.

  • Story & Flow 45

    The narrative structure shows signs of uneven pacing, with several reviewers citing a tendency to revisit the same point and occasional loss of focus. While the subject matter is original and the premise strong, the execution often feels unfocused, leading to mixed reactions about coherence and overall storytelling effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Sensory elements such as soundtrack choices and visual style receive moderate praise, especially for creative music cuts and occasional animation that enhance the thematic message. The documentary’s audio‑visual blend is noted as effective, though not consistently striking, placing its sensory experience in the upper‑mid range.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch potential is limited by the film’s repetitive emphasis on a single argument, as highlighted by critics who found it less engaging on subsequent viewings. Nevertheless, its informative content and impactful moments may still attract repeat audiences interested in the legal and cultural analysis, yielding an average replay value.

Videos

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette Meet the Artist 2024: J.M. Harper on "As We Speak"
Details

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “As We Speak : Le grand procès du rap” and “正如我们所说”.

Also known as
  • As We Speak : Le grand procès du rap
  • 正如我们所说
  • As We Speak: il Rap in tribunale

Seen As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial?

FAQ

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial, each answered in a sentence.

How long is As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial?

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial released?

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial was released on February 27, 2024.

Who directed As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial?

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial was directed by J.M. Harper.

More films by J.M. Harper

Who is in the cast of As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial?

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial stars Kemba, Killer Mike and Bun B, among 20 credited actors.

How is As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial rated?

As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 62% on TMDB.

Does As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial have a post-credit scene?

No. As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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