This project tested the dominant cultural belief that Hip-Hop music is a more violent form of music. Students collaborated with Dr. Karen Reece, president of the Urban Community Arts Network (UCAN), which confronts the racialized barriers local Hip-Hop artists face and builds sustainable and safe performance opportunities for all local Hip-Hop artists. This research compared music genres and indicators of violence. Using data from the Madison Police Department (2008-2016), students coded and analyzed 4,624 police calls made from bars, clubs and venues licensed to host live musical performances in Madison.

Students then determined whether there was a live music performance during the time of a police call by using archives from local publications, venue websites, and direct correspondence with venues. When compared with all other genres, our analysis does not confirm the popular belief that live Hip-Hop performances have higher instances of violence in Madison, WI.