Rap is poetry: The big debate (or is it?)

If Jay-Z can confidently say that rap is poetry, then why can’t everyone? The line between the two has been steadily greying in contemporary times, as writers and critics begin to understand the artform that is rap. Slowly, we are acknowledging great writing where great writing takes place, no matter if it’s on the page or spoken into a microphone. But there are still many who want to distinguish between the two, and it’s here where our panellists Dave Hook, Bemz, Bee Asha Singh, and Colin Herd come together to get to the bottom of this age-old question: is rap poetry? Chaired by Arusa Qureshi.