California becomes the first state in the country to officially restrict the use of rap lyrics as evidence
California became the first state in the country to restrict the use of rap lyrics as circumstantial evidence.
Governor Newsom signed a bill Friday that would limit the use of “creative content” against rappers and musicians in the state. Their lyrics cannot be used as evidence unless a review and approval is deemed necessary by a judge.
AB 2799 – or the Artistic Expression Act is the first bill of its kind and was introduced after rappers Young Thug and Gunna were prosecuted by the authorities with the help of lyrics they used in their songs. the song.
Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, who introduced the bill, stated that AB 2799 “would provide judges with the guidance needed to assess whether a creative expression is admissible in a criminal trial, and provides a framework that ensures that creative expression will not be used to trigger or reinforce prejudice or trigger racial prejudice. “
Dina Polt, an entertainment lawyer, said in part:
This act establishes important railings that will help courts hold prosecutors accountable and prevent them from criminalizing Black and Brown artistic expression. Thank you Gov. Newsom, set the standard. We expect Congress to pass similar legislation, as this is a nationwide issue.
Lyrics Rap Bill Introduced to Congress
A similar bill was introduced by lawmakers to Congress in July. Based on BillboardsThe ‘Restored Arts Protection Act,’ also known as the RAP Act, will restrict the use of artistic or creative evidence against the person who created it.
Music industry experts have been lobbying for such a law for years. Of course, with such a divided congress, it’s unclear whether the new federal bill has any real chance of passing. Artists celebrated today’s announcement such as #MeekMill, who cited his music in a previous compliance with the law.
300 Elektra Entertainment President and CEO Kevin Liles appealed to prosecutors during Young Thug’s bond hearing last month for trying to use rapper of lyrics to prosecute him, saying:
This racist targeting practice punishes already marginalized communities and their stories of family, struggle, survival and victory. Authorities are criminalizing black creativity and art, and this bill will help put an end to that. We must protect Black art.
NBA Referee Rules YoungBoy’s lyrics can’t be used against him
Most recently, a judge stopped prosecutors from using NBA YoungBoy lyrics against him in a federal gun case.
NBA YoungBoy’s gun possession trial began on Tuesday (July 12). In a court ruling today, Judge R. Gary Klausner of the Central District of California quashed the prosecution’s attempt to use the lyrics of Baton Rouge, La. XXL confirmed the ruling.
He was later found not guilty on all charges.
