California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs Bill Limiting Rap Lyrics As Evidence

Hip-hop artists have long been fighting for their artistic and creative freedom. In the past, rappers have had their lyrics used against them in criminal prosecutions. It seems that will no longer be possible in California.

California has now become a first state to block prosecutors from using lyrics as evidence in criminal cases thanks to governor Gavin Newsom. He passed the bill on Friday in front of several industry heavyweights.

According to TMZ, the signing went down on an online call attended by the likes of Too $hort, Meek Mill, Killer Mike, Tyga, YG, E-40, Ty Dolla $ign and several others. The legislation is labelled Assembly Bill 2799. 

This law forbids prosecutors from presenting rappers’ lyrics as circumstantial evidence in court unless a judge first evaluates and authorizes them. Before the signing went down the rappers present spoke about its importance to the black art.

This has become a hot topic since Gunna and Young Thug were arrested as part of a gang-related indictment. Both of the rappers had their lyrics presented as a pieces of evidence in the Georgia RICO case.

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