Using Rappers’ Lyrics as Evidence Is a Slippery Slope

Shit is getting very messy in the YSL RICO trial. I know it’s been pretty quiet as of late, but if you don’t recall, Young Thug, Gunna,and many other members of Young Stoner Life were arrested and charged in a 56-count court indictment more than a year ago.

While Gunna has since been released, Thugger has spent the entire time behind bars.

On Thursday, the case got even more interesting when an Atlanta judge ruled that song lyrics will be allowed as evidence under certain conditions in the trial, according to WSB-TV.

This came after hours of arguments from both sides on Wednesday. A prosecuting attorney claimed, “Someone can look at that indictment and say one thing’s for sure, that’s not fantasy, people are dead and murdered and a gang exists.”

Young Thug’s attorney Brian Steel said, “They’re targeting the right to free speech.”

More from WSB-TV:

After careful consideration, Judge Ural Glanville Taylor has conditionally admitted 17 sets of rap lyrics that prosecutors can use as evidence in the gang trial against Young Thug and his alleged associates. The judge agreed that prosecutors have to lay a foundation in order to use them.

First and foremost, I’m in no way trying to defend Young Thug or minimize the seriousness of these charges. People died. Lives were lost. Laws were allegedly broken. If there’s evidence that he’s the mastermind leading this “gang,” then he should face the consequences.

But I don’t like the precedent that this case could possibly set. Especially if it’s the sole piece of evidence used against a defendant (I have a feeling it won’t be in the YSL RICO case).

Hip-Hop is, first and foremost, an art form. Rappers of the past, like 2 Live Crew, literally fought (and won) for their music to have artistic value. They have a right to free speech. Even if I don’t support all of the violent lyrics used in Thugger’s music, I don’t think it should be used against him.

If lyrics can be used against rappers, will a line ever be drawn? Will scripts be used against directors and actors? Will books be used against authors? Will paintings be used against painters?

If one of them isn’t fair, then none of them should be.