Jay Z's Heartfelt Narration of America's Failing War on Drugs

Spotlighting the disparities of incarceration by race.

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In a new op-ed video by The New York Times, Jay Z gave a powerful narration regarding America’s ongoing war on drugs. The TIDAL mogul probed into the history of the nation’s stringent drug policies over the past decades and discussed the disparities of incarceration by race. The iconic Brooklyn rapper has observed the plight of narcotics users and dealers firsthand — having first sold crack at the young age of 13 with more than 10 years’ experience in the violent business. The video implores viewers to observe the racial imbalance when it comes to drug arrests and how politics have had a profound influence on the lives of fledgling teens who get mixed up into dealing drugs.

Moreover, Hova segues into how numerous states will be soon be deciding the legalization of marijuana while relaying how affluent investors have taken over the industry in the states that have already legalized it. Take a look at the striking clip below that portrays sketches by artist Molly Crabapple and let us know your thoughts.

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Keith Estiler Managing Editor, Hypeart

Keith Estiler is a New York-born curator, writer, and the Managing Editor of Hypeart, the contemporary art arm of Hypebeast. Based in NYC, Keith heads up editorial strategy at the intersection of contemporary art and culture, capturing the icons and outliers of both the local and international scenes. He has curated exhibitions worldwide, dedicated to championing the emerging voices and subcultures currently redefining contemporary visual culture.

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