Tradition in Black Art, Music Cited : Obscenity: Vulgar rhymes have long been used to express anger at stereotypes, a defense witness in the 2 Live Crew trial says.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. —  Jurors in the 2 Live Crew obscenity trial listened intently today as the defense’s first witness--a Duke University professor--told them that vulgar rhymes and angry expressions have long been used in black art and music.

They were told that blacks have used such vulgar expressions to express anger at black stereotypes and oppression for centuries.

“They embrace the stereotype over and over again that you can have no reaction but to bust out laughing,” said Henry Louis Gates Jr., a black professor of English literature who is a literary critic of black art and culture.

Gates explained the centuries-old black art of “signifying,” a verbal form of mockery that can be used to compliment or to insult someone. He said the practice--exemplified by a needling gibe, such as “Your mama wears army boots”--dates to slavery times.

“It’s a way the black people could fight against the oppression of their white masters. They would mock each other to release anger and tension,” Gates said.

“Rap is an old tradition in Afro-American culture,” Gates said, noting that soul singers James Brown and Isaac Hayes often spoke during their songs. He said the early form of scat singing also was a predecessor of rap.

Group leader Luther Campbell and members Chris (Kid Ice) Wongwon and Mark (Brother Marquis) Ross were arrested on misdemeanor obscenity charges after a June 10 adults-only concert in Hollywood, Fla.

The three face up to a year in prison and $1,000 in fines, if convicted.

Campbell said today during a break in the trial that state prosecutors so far have failed to prove that a concert by 2 Live Crew was any more obscene than what is seen in nearby adult clubs and bookstores.

Earlier story, A21