JAY-Z, the rapper and business magnate, is leading a group of A-list artists in proposing a new law that would prohibit rap lyrics from being used as evidence in court.
According to Rolling Stone, Jay-Z has enlisted the support of fellow rappers Meek Mill, Big Sean, Fat Joe, Yo Gotti, and Killer Mike, as well as R&B stars Kelly Rowland and Robin Thicke, for a proposed New York state law that would prohibit prosecutors from using rap songs as evidence of alleged crimes.
The musicians have signed a new letter pushing New York state politicians — including Gov. Kathy Hochul — to pass the “Rap Music on Trial” bill (S.7527/A.8681).
The proposal, introduced in November, attempts to limit the inclusion of a defendant’s music or other “creative expression” as evidence before a jury.
Prosecutors would be required to demonstrate “clear and compelling evidence” that a defendant’s artistic expression, such as a rap song, is “literal, rather than figurative or fictional,” according to the measure.
The bill was cleared by the Senate Codes committee on Tuesday, January 18, giving it a significant boost in its chances of being placed to a full vote on the Senate floor.
“This is an issue that is essential to (JAY-Z) and all of the other artists who have banded together to try to bring about this change,” Jay-lawyer, Z’s Alex Spiro, said.
“This has been a long time coming. Mr. Carter is from New York, and he wants to offer his name and weight if he can.”
Spiro collaborated on the letter with Erik Nielson, a professor at the University of Richmond and co-author of the 2019 book ‘Rap on Trial.’
They argue that rap music “employs many of the same poetic elements we find in more traditional works of poetry,” while emphasizing its deep storytelling roots and use of hyperbolic language.
“Our lyrics, like any other genre, are a creative form of self-expression and enjoyment,” Fat Joe remarked.
“We want our words to be recognized as art rather than used as a weapon in court.”
“I hope the governor and all the lawmakers in New York take our letter into consideration, protect our artistic rights and make the right decision to pass this bill.”
For a long time, prosecutors have used rap lyrics to put rappers behind bars. From Bobby Shmurda and YNW Melly to Tay-K and the late Drakeo The Ruler, countless artists have had their lyrics used against them in court, with prosecutors arguing their music is a lyrical confession of their alleged crimes.
Former No Limit rapper, Mac Phipps (who was once crowned the “down south Nas”) spent 21 years in prison for manslaughter, with prosecutors misquoting his lyrics from two separate songs to paint him as a cold-blooded killer in front of jurors.
“The DA did a damn good, but devious job,” he told The Undefeated following his hard-fought release from prison last year.
“He had me on trial and even though I didn’t have a criminal history or anything, he managed to convince these jurors that I was a monster.”
