Australia's hip-hop has never been bigger and more diverse, and it's making waves around the world. But over the past few years police have been waging a battle against some of the most popular musicians in the country, in some cases stopping them from performing live.

Last week things escalated, with police threatening to remove their music from streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube. It's a fight reminiscent of the tension between groups like NWA and Tupac and law enforcement in the 1990s, but it's happening right here in Australia.

Today on The Drop, writer and critic Mahmood Fazal unpacks the current state of Australia's hip-hop scene, why it's attracted so much controversy, and who will win: police or hip-hop?

The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.

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