Juice Media's Rap News

This is a fantastic initiative by its founder Giordano Nanni and was established in 2008. Nanni was joined by lyricist Hugo Farrant and they both co-created the Rap News series, first broadcast in October 2009. The series is a well written critic of current political and social affairs. The episodes of Rap News are realised in a home studio, in Melbourne, Australia.

General analysis of the series;

• Each episode is about 6 minutes long
• The information in each episode is portrayed through the medium of hip hop/rap, rhyming verses, music, comedy, and satire.
• In almost every episode, the viewer is introduced to two or more points of view, usually on the opposite sides of the spectrum, then a conclusion that attempts to bring the main aspects of those two opposing views together. It also tends to expose the similarities between the two views explored on the pannel
• Episodes include animations and integrated/embedded screens

Main characters

• Robert Foster: show host / presenter and analyst. Foster's character is written by Nanni and Farrant and is said to be the embodiment of both their geniuses. Foster is played by Hugo Farrant. He wears thick glasses, an old-fashioned suit, and wears his hair long and loosely tied back. Main props: A mug.
• General Darth H. Baxter: generally represents the military and any institution linked to the government and/or has a right-wing appeal. Baxter wears a military uniform, a military helmet, and big shades (and a moustache in later episodes), and is played by Farrant. Main props: a Bible (and sometimes a weapon).
• Terence Moonseed: a hippy, occultist, planet(s) lover, and believer of extra-terrestrial existence. Moonseed is played by Farrant and usually wears a dusty-white suit and a golden head-band. He's got a big red moustache, beard, and masses of hair. Main props: varies from one episode to the other.
• Assange: played by both Farrant and Nanni (I also suspect that the actual Assange was a guest on a couple of episodes, though Nanni does a good impersonation of him)

The series is absolutely hilarious, but genius and some-what dark. It is a very good piece of journalism done in a viewer friendly and entertaining manner.

Here is the latest episode from the Rap News series;

Enjoy and may the Thoughts be with you!