Over 100 musicians signed a letter published in the New York Times on Tuesday calling for the use of music lyrics in criminal trials across the United States to be prohibited.
WMG drafted the document, but it was cosigned by Sony Music Group, SiriusXM, Spotify, TikTok, and others.
50 Cent, Lil Baby, J. Cole, Jack Harlow, John Legend, Killer Mike, Alicia Keys, Camila Cabello, Christina Aguilera, Coldplay, DJ Khaled, Drake, Future, and many more have signed the letter.
The article opens with the statement that “the trend of prosecutors using artists’ creative expression against them against them is happening with troubling frequency in courtrooms across America.” “Fans implicitly understand that creative expression is rooted in what artists see and hear; it’s a reflection of the times we live in, regardless of the medium — music, the visual arts, writing, television, or film. The final piece is the result of the artist’s inspiration and creativity.
Rappers are storytellers, creating entire worlds populated with complex characters who can play both the hero and the villain, the letter continues. Rap lyrics, however, are essentially being used as confessions in an effort to criminalize Black creativity and artistry more than any other form of art.
The letter then discusses Young Thug, Gunna, and the other members of YSL’s upcoming trials. Rap lyrics are anticipated to be used as evidence in the crew’s upcoming racketeering trial, which is taking place right now.
The group concluded the letter by praising Governor Gavin Newsom for his efforts in recently signing a bill addressing the issue into law in California. They also mentioned the RAP (Restoring Artistic Protection) Act that Reps. Hank Johnson and Jamaal Bowman introduced in the US Congress.