Since the massive indictment of YSL, <a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/gunna-denied-bond-and-called-a-commander-in-ysl-trial-date-revealed-news.152417.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">including Young Thug and Gunna</a>, the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court has become a controversial topic. New York, for instance, has moved forward with legislation to limit the power of song lyrics as evidence in criminal trials. However, in the case of <a href="/profile/youngthug" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Young Thug</a> and <a href="/tags/gunna" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Gunna</a>, the prosecution argues that the lyrics serve as “overt acts” in the alleged RICO conspiracy.
Among the songs named in the prosecution&#8217;s case are Thug’s hit, “Anybody” as well as numerous songs from YSL’s 2020 compilation album, Slime Language 2, including “Take it to Trial,” “Ski,” and “Slatty.”
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/userfiles/12/21/312112_f8e730b64f4d2b9664a00023bb313d4a.jpg" alt="YSL Indictment Lists Lyrics From “Take It To Trial,” “Ski,” &amp; “Slatty” As Evidence"><figcaption>Paras Griffin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
They explain that the lyrics serve in “preserving, protecting and enhancing the reputation, power and territory of the enterprise [YSL].”
“I killed his man in front of his momma, like fiick lil bruh, sister and his cousin,” some of the lyrics cited read. “I shoot out,” and “kill em, not leaving a trace.&#8221;
Thug isn&#8217;t even accused of murder in the case but of renting a car that was later used in the killing of a gang member.
Critics of the court&#8217;s ability to <a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/young-thug-and-gunnas-lyrics-will-be-used-against-them-by-prosecutors-for-indictment-news.151784.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">use rap lyrics as evidence</a> argue that the music is an art and therefore not a representation of artists&#8217; reality.
“Mr. Sergio Kitchens, known as Gunna, is innocent. The indictment falsely portrays his music as part of criminal conspiracy,” the rapper’s attorneys, Steve Sadow and Don Samuel, told ABC News.
During a press conference announcing the arrests, the Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, remarked: “The First Amendment does not protect people from prosecutors using [lyrics] as evidence.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/gunna-denied-bond-and-called-a-commander-in-ysl-trial-date-revealed-news.152417.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Gunna has been denied bond</a> and has received a trial date for January 9th of 2023.
[<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/young-thug-indictment-spotlights-controversial-rap-lyrics-evidence/story?id=84860405" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Via</a>]