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Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy warned “hate lyric” French rap groups Wednesday they faced legal action if they performed in public material that was racist or anti-Semitic.
The band Sniper has outraged deputies in the governing UMP party with “La France,” a foul-mouthed anti-society rant that taps the deep sense of alienation of disaffected French youths.
The rappers, who hail from a suburb north of Paris, talk of having “a mission to wipe out ministers and fascists.” A song called “Stone Throwers” attacks Israeli treatment of the Palestinians.
The band’s label, Warner Music France, declined to comment.
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Compiled from RedEye news services and edited by Lara Weber (lweber@tribune.com) and Michael Morgan (mnmorgan@tribune.com)
