The hip-hop community is voicing support for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who on Friday (Sept. 30) signed the nation’s first “rap lyrics” bill that blocks prosecutors from using “creative content” as evidence in criminal cases.
Newsom signed AB 2799, the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, during an online forum attended by rappers Meek Mill, YG, Killer Mike, E-40, Too Short and Ty Dolla $ign. Also present were members of the Black Music Action Coalition, Songwriters of North America, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., and former Def Jam Records president Kevin Liles.
“Artists of all kinds should be able to create without the fear of unfair and prejudicial prosecution,” Newsom said. “California’s culture and entertainment industry set trends around the world and it’s fitting that our state is taking a nation-leading role to protect creative expression and ensure that artists are not criminalized under biased policies.”
Related Story: Atlanta D.A. Fani Willis Says She’s Coming for Rappers Connected to Crime
CA is the 1st state to ensure creative content – like lyrics & music videos – can't be used against artists in court without judicial review.
Thanks, @JonesSawyerAD59 for your work & @yg @KillerMike @tydollasign @Tyga @MeekMill @E40 @TooShort for your dedication to the cause. pic.twitter.com/cpOSCiHh0X
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) September 30, 2022
The bill was introduced in February 2022 by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles. The legislation states: “The introduction of rap lyrics creates a substantial risk of unfair prejudice.”
The Recording Academy praised the bill earlier this year, saying: “We should be able to say things that are on our minds and our hearts or in our imaginations without fear of somebody bringing this up in a courtroom.”
A similar bill passed in New York’s state senate in May, but has since stalled.
California’s legislation blocking rap lyrics in criminal cases is in stark contrast to laws in Georgia, which many members of the hip-hop community call home.
Last month, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis warned gang members and Atlanta-area rappers that she would use their lyrics as evidence.
“Admit your crimes over a beat, I’m gonna use it,” Willis said at an Aug. 29 news conference as she stood alongside members of the local law enforcement community and the FBI.
“You do not get to commit crimes in my county and then decide to brag on it,” she added.
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Willis was speaking to reporters about a RICO indictment against 26 suspected members of the “Drug Rich” gang, which she said is responsible for a string of home invasion robberies targeting athletes, social media influencers and celebrities, including Mariah Carey and The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Marlo Hampton.
“One of the lyrics used in this indictment is ‘me and my crew strikin’ out… send me the drop, we’ll kick in the house,’” she said. “They’re kicking in doors, committing home invasions, and now I’m using those lyrics that they’re admitting to doing that! I’m going to continue to do that.”
“Don’t confess to crimes on rap lyrics if you do not want them used,” she said.
The federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act allows for extended criminal penalties.
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Since when is bragging about committing crimes :artistic expression..?”
lol
Makes sense. Tom Jones was never prosecuted for Delilah’s murder
Newsome is a nauseating pandering fool.
The bear is whispering to Gav what a good time he had last night…
I do believe that bear is giving the Gav a wet-willy… look at the bright red bear tongue.
The bear is showing what he thinks about this bill by deficating all over the stage
Does this mean social media posts, a place where one can express their art of poetry and shocking comment are now off limits too?
Does this mean that the authorities in California disapprove of citizens having their social media “art” scrutinized for say a gun carry permit? Does this mean state employees, and job applicants cannot be sanctioned by the State for social media postings made by the state employee or job applicant?
Interesting . I wonder why the authority has said rappers can admit to crimes with no fear of it being used against them.
All this during a crime wave.
Silly is it not?
It shows an absurd lack of knowledge of how crimes are proved in a courtroom. In essence, the legislation says that when a confession is made in a so-called “art form,” it can’t be used as evidence. Why on earth should that be? Because it’s racist to allow it? That’s the Guv’s theory. My God, the left has gone crazy. Up is down, in is out. And this guy wants to run for President. What a joke!
So by your standard, if someone writes a book that includes a murder, they should be charged with killing someone if the circumstances are similar?
They never said anything like that Scott. Grow UP.
“So by your standard”, I can simply add anything to this, like why are you fellating labradoodels?
That has actually happened. People have been convicted after writing a book detailing the Crime. It’s not the ONLY evidence, but was supporting evidence. In this case, when other Evidence points to a Rapper, Gavin is removing the option of adding Rap Lyrics of the suspect where he admits to the Criminal Behavior.
Notice he doesn’t let any other Art form have the same protection, because Rappers are Black and the Democrats are committed to keeping Black Criminals and Murderers out of jail, regardless of guilt.
This also means that someone’s expression (verbal or written) cannot be used to bump a crime to a hate crime. Also, this is the end to the concept of hate speech.
O.J. was a poet. Luckily none of his lyrics were admissible.
More rights for criminals and psychopaths! What a governor!
So the KKK can now put up billboards in California.
Newsom is an idiot.
Newsom and those who support such a ludicrous position are who’s responsible for the rapidly crumbling society and security in America.
So I guess the insinuation here is that rappers are likely to commit crimes? You don’t say!!
This means nothing. If it is relevant evidence, it will be admitted. Publicity stunt catering to thugs.
So if some lunatic goes and shoots up a shopping mall and all over their apartment are crazed paintings of mass murder and violence, that can’t be admitted into evidence, right?
Just more protections for criminals
Welcome to Crime-a-fornia!
If you can’t do the time, then don’t do the rhyme.
This is great but the gov and everyone else should focus their energies on making California cities livable for all the people who live there and getting assistance to the unhoused people who obviously need more than current policies are able.
What about a crime posted to TikTok?
Are TikTok posts not creative content?
So it’s okay now for me to have Johnny Rebel’s “For Segregationists Only” in my collection?
The left coast infecting the world with pc correctness. The wicked shall be turned into hell and those nations that forget God! Mocking God is a Capitol offence! Those of Sodom And Gomorrah will be joined soon with these devilsh so called leaders. Come out from among them lest you join them.
What about opera, and country music? Seems a little prejudiced against better forms of music…
The fruit of the poisonous song, California style.
Now serious rappers can presage their intentions by stating in a copyrighted song (even not-yet-produced) that they will kill someone even before the person is executed.
“Your honor this is evidence that cannot be introduced in this man’s murder trial since California law does not allow creative content to be introduced in criminal cases.” It’s a new court mantra.
“It’s all about the art. Michaelangelo did the same,” said attorney Benjamin Crump.
“I’m down on this. Only wish I had put Faulkner in a song first before I killed him,” Mumia said.
Crime is the new black entitlement.
The Left is going insane .. Why are they trying to help Criminals admitting their crimes? What on earth has happened to our people — people everywhere are scared and frantic to walk in the streets of our cities, but here the Gov of our largest State is protecting committed criminals from prosecution ?
How on earth can the Governor even sit on the same podium with these rappers ? The lyrics of most rappers are literally for the lowest society and influence our young people to be violent and bring the worst of themselves into public view ….
So why does Gov Newsom (shamefully) support and even appear with these shameful people on a public podium ?
Governors of other stares, especially red states need to enact legislation banning CA crazies from moving to their states! Newsome is truly drunk with power!
CA has a very long History of criminals in government going back before Hurst nd it’s worse today than ever.
The ghost of Bob Marley breaths a sigh of relief on beating that Sherriff shooting rap.
It’s great to see Gavin is really tackling the most important topics head on.
His priority list is top notch!
Many rap lyrics openly encourage violence against law enforcement, have misogynistic lyrics, and are replete with foul language. Under any other circumstances, such lyrics would be subject to instant backlash if not outright censorship or arrest for terroristic threats. But because such lyrics are embraced by the black community, rap is considered untouchable. They can say whatever they want. Such immense double-standards.
Well lets think on this forshort attention span moment.
It’s pretty clear by now that triends start in the entertainment industry and most come from California. La La land as it has been called. So, predominately what age group listens to rap. I know it isn’t my age group, but I’d hazzard a guess it’s most people under the age of 30. I’m just an old flatulent person so what would I know?
Now lets see what the trends today predominately are taught in public schools today, all apparently patterned off of California. Things like CRT, ANTIF, BLM and all the alternate sexual lifestyles where the traditional has been subdued and the multi-gender and gay lifestyles are now promoted.
Next we hear the wonderful news doday that fummy a third of the young people under the age of 30 in Sunny California, have anxiety and depression problems.
Also, to cap it off, Newsome now allows rappers, (entertaiment industry) to spread their anarchistic “off the police” filth, promoting crime to impressionable and basically ignorant young people, and we seriously wonder what is causing their problems and they soon will be the next generation of people to work in, rin and manage our nation?
What could possibly go wrong?
Have we blinded so many generations with filth that we can no longer see what the problem clearly is for our selves, our nation and the world? All to support the wealth of people that are really not very good actors?
So, as it is in todays Babylon, we call Hollywood, it is rapidly overtaking the world population today and the end fate will be akin to what NOAH and his family endured. But this time looks to be the last, when it shortly catches humanity intentionally unaware.
There is some wisdom that apparently was missed in some Hollywood Entertainment. Tes, God’s wisdom can be found in many places if you look for it and are paying attention. One is found in the Hollywood musical, Oliver Twist where Fagan, the old pickpocket who utilized the street urchins of London to keep himself fed, when he sang the lyrics “I think I’d better think it trough again.” The other came from the Hollywood musical, Paint Your Wagon. Here the preacher sings about No Name City, the mining camp, where he was warning the people about God ‘s displeasure, and how God was going to “Swallow you up and gobble you down and good bye to you.”
Sadly, few were apparently really listening because it certainly seems that things are going bad because we’re not paying attention to the most important thing in the universe, God. He’s been sending the message, of paying attention to Him, for 6,000 years that we are aware of and, for the evolutionists, probably a good deal longer. “When will we ever learn? When will we, ever learn?”
As you can see, we’ve done this to ourselves. But, the good news that there is still time to make a change to your eventual fate if you don’t waste the opportunity. But I wouldn’t suggest waiting too long lest the end comes had catches you unprepaired. When the end does come, the opportunity to come to God for salvation will have passed, as it did for all of humanity when God sealed Noah and his family inside the ark.