California bans using rap lyrics as evidence in court

MADRID, 1 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Friday to limit the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials amid a surge in prosecutions using rapper lyrics as the basis for accusations.

The law, which Newson has signed along with rappers, record producers and rap industry executives, is the first in the country to ensure that someone's "creative expression" is not used to "introduce active stereotypes or bias" against a accused or be used as evidence in a trial against them, according to the newspaper 'The Hill'.

The measure would require courts to determine whether song lyrics are admissible as evidence and whether the content should be linked to an alleged crime, all in the face of the danger of undue harm being caused to the artist.

This new legislation, which passed unopposed in the California State Senate and Assembly, comes after Atlanta rappers Young Thug and Gunna were among two dozen people arrested earlier this year on felony charges. organized.

The accusations against him refer to the lyrics of his rap songs, since the State Attorney's Office justified that the rapper Young Thug formed a street gang and promoted it through his music, according to the aforementioned newspaper.