Lisa Mugo
The New York state Senate has passed a bill on Tuesday dubbed ‘Rap Music on Trial’ that prevents lyrics from being used as evidence in criminal cases and against rappers in court.
This comes after rappers Young Thug Gunna were arrested and prosecutors used their lyrics to incriminate them last week.
Rappers Jay-Z, Meek Mill and Fat Joe fully supported the bill as they signed their names on a letter that was submitted to lawmakers to support Senate Bill S7527, ‘Rap Music on Trial’.
“This tactic effectively denies rap music the status of art and, in the process, gives prosecutors a dangerous advantage in the courtroom: by presenting rap lyrics as rhymed confessions of illegal behavior, they are often able to obtain convictions even when other evidence is lacking,” the stars wrote on the letter.
The letter urged for the limited use of rap lyrics in court citing that it is unlawful and can wrongfully target black men adding that it offers limited insight into an actual crime
