California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed The Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, which will restrict the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court.
AB 2799 was signed into action by Newsom on Friday (September 30), according to Variety, after the bill was unanimously approved by California’s State Senate in August.
The Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act received strong support from artists such as Meek Mill, Killer Mike, Too $hort, Ty Dolla $ign, E-40, YG and more who were present at a virtual signing for the bill.
“The second time I witnessed the Governor of California sign bills that help our people … probation caps & bans on using rap lyrics in court ‘I RESPECT YOU’ Thankyou I understand the magnitude of the moves you make we need help in the system,” Meek wrote to Twitter.
The Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr added: “Today we celebrate an important victory for music creators in the state of California. Silencing any genre or form of artistic expression is a violation against all music people,” said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “The history that’s been made in California today will help pave the way forward in the fight to protect creative freedom nationwide.
“We extend our gratitude to Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer for his leadership on this issue and to Governor Newsom for recognizing the importance of protecting artistry and signing the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act into law.”
Jim Jones & Maino Discuss Gunna & Young Thug’s Lyrics Being Used Against Them In Court
California is the first state to ban lyrics being used as evidence in the courtroom. Although, there is a loophole for prosecutors to use lyrics if they can prove they’re directly relevant to the facts of the case and won’t “inject racial bias into the proceedings.”
New York attempted to pass a similar bill in May but failed to get approval from the Assembly.
Lyrics being used in court has become a hot topic of conversation within Hip Hop as of late, especially with the YSL RICO case using lyrics from various songs to build the case against Young Thug and Gunna, who currently remain imprisoned without bond as they await trial.
His bills don’t help anyone as much as pander for votes. One of the worst governors in the country. And no, it’s not cause of this bill.
Thats some woke ass California bullshit. Soft on crime fuck Newsom and his liberal prosecutor in LA who wants to let the criminals run free.
IS THIS REALLY A DUB THO?
good one.
Here’s a crazy idea…how about stop snitching on themselves!!. Don’t get wrong I think California is crazy and newsom is just as bad. But rappers now are some of the biggest clowns walking. Bragging about shit just for street cred. That street cred could get you 5 to 10. Learn to keep your mouth shut. It ain’t difficult.
You’re clearly devoid of reason and I am going to assume you hold a racial bias. White artists have admitted to violence, drug use, and various crimes throughout history and have never had their lyrics used against them. Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Toby Keith among several other American icons have all done this. Most(not all) rappers speak on these situations to bring awareness to that state of American society for the economically disadvantaged and impoverished communities. If you feel that song lyrics should be admitted as evidence of committing a crime, consider the fact that if the system wasn’t racially biased many of your favorite white artists would likely be in jail as well. The reason laws like this exist are rooted in the the constitutional values of the United States, and for very good reason.
Dumbest comment right here
What a clown comment.
Bro u need a fact check my guy, your obviously the one with the racial bias considering your bringing race into the topic when the discussion is about music, the color of your skin as nothing to do with this, and it’s because of people like you that race is still a problem, I see people not colors, and no most rappers aren’t speaking to bring awareness to anything, I get it some do but not like how u think
My bad hat was to smokey not bigger
I did time with a brother named Smokey, very real with that rap game; and with that being said: Most of these young cats be linking their raps and violent assaults and murders in real time. That’s some real deep shit. I’m in the hip hop game, but I’m also caught in the cross-fire: I composed some hip hop lyrics and a bitch was ready to call the police when she peeped the the written lyrics. Big deal, for one, I don’t compose lyrics that depict street or gangsta violence; but for this particular song I didand a Fed bitch was was trying to have the cops run up on me. That’s for real. So much respect to this California Governor for signing this bill into effect. I’ve got a lot more songs to write and produce.
Sorry Bigger, my comment was addressed to smokey
Ny… Cali… both gone to hell. Sad stuff. Both outlawing the future sales of gas powered vehicles, when we have no idea what our technology will be like in 12 or so years. Why? The gov wants us to own cars they can turn on and off themselves.
Hey Jay, what size tin foil hat do you wear?
You cannot stay hiding under that rock forever. Not everyone stays within the herd. Your main stream media gods are lying satanic pedos
Big steps in California! This is going to help rappers like me a lot!
Dumba$$
Wow we don’t have more important things to worry about?
These white dudes you listed.. have they actually been involved in murder cases that necessitated their lyrics being used as an evidence against them
I think anyone that has common sense knows that song lyrics shouldn’t be used as evidence of a crime. If it was, Eric Clapton and Bob Marley, would have been in jail a long time ago.