Dean Jason King interviewed for Nikkei article on rap’s sociocultural significance in the US

Dean Jason King was interviewed for a Nikkei article on the “influence of rap in American society, as well as the social and cultural forces that have shaped that impact.” King’s words provide information on rap’s impact upon inception.

In the piece, writer Riko Sato notes the increasingly visible role of rap and hip-hop in activism and cultural discourse. Sato launches into the subject by detailing L.A. Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani humming “NOT LIKE US” by Kendrick Lamar after winning the 2025 World Series, a supposed response to Drake’s online taunting of the athlete.

For the full article, read here.

***

Photo credit: Laylah Amatullah Barrayn