Decriminalizing Artistic Expression
- Onielia Wilson
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
New California Bill Will Impact Rap Community
After a unanimous vote by California’s senate and assembly, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act on Sept. 30 in a virtual ceremony.
The act prevents prosecutors from using a rapper’s song lyrics in court unless they can prove how the lyrics directly relate to the case, with the aim of reducing racial bias and giving rappers the freedom to be more expressive with less worry.
There is a long history of prosecutors exploiting rap lyrics to implicate them. The problem with this practice is that it blurs the line between creative fiction and a rapper’s true character.
“I don’t think that a rapper’s lyrics should be used to prosecute them,” said Clayton Bull, a Lynn University freshman. “Many rappers like to flaunt and lie just for image and status. Everything they say should not be taken seriously.”
The music industry and community has shown widespread support for this bill.
Numerous rappers attended the virtual ceremony, including Ty Dolla $ign, Meek Mill, Tyga and YG. Industry professionals like Harvey Mason, Jr., Recording Academy CEO and Kevin Liles of 300 Entertainment were also present.
Liles supported the act because two of his artists — Young Thug and Gunna — are awaiting trial. The prosecutors for their respective cases have entered a number of their song lyrics as evidence.
The list of rappers who have had their lyrics used against them in court is extensive. In some cases, the rapper was proven innocent, but in other cases, the lyrics were entered into court as direct evidence.
The issue is that not every rapper is the same.
“Drake is a rapper whose lyrics don’t represent his character sometimes. He falsifies an image of being a gangster when he is not,” said Alec Descoteaux, a Lynn sophomore. “In contrast, YNW Melly’s lyrics appeared to represent his true nature. He was charged for the exact crime he sang about.”
The bill opens the door for creativity but can potentially open the door to more crime. Prosecutors will not only have less evidence to use in court, but rappers will be less pressured to avoid crime lyrics.
“These rappers have millions of followers that listen to them. If all fans hear in songs are crimes, it may influence them to break the law,” said Van Dvorchak, a Lynn freshman.
The act may have unintended consequences, but it offers rappers in California creative freedom that they previously had not enjoyed. Though this is particular to California, as a precedent, it has the potential to change the broader rap community.
