Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has defended the use of rap lyrics as criminal evidence amid a fresh gang indictment in the same Georgia county where Young Thug and Gunna sit behind bars.
On Monday (August 29), Willis announced Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charges against 26 suspected members of Drug Rich Gang, who prosecutors believe are behind a string of high-profile home invasions, among other violent crimes, in the Metro Atlanta area.
According to the 220-count indictment, the gang targeted celebrities such as Mariah Carey, Atlanta Falcons star Calvin Ridley and Future’s baby mother, Brittni Mealy. They allegedly monitored their victims’ social media accounts to scope out items and plan heists.
Investigators used rap lyrics, music videos and social media posts to build the RICO case and tie the alleged gang members to the indictment. Nearly 20 defendants have been taken into custody, with at least five still at large.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, D.A. Willis defended targeting rap lyrics and warned other rappers against “confessing” to crimes on wax.
“I think if you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, I’m gonna use it,” she said. “You do not get to commit crimes in my county and then decide to brag on it, which you do that for a form of intimidation and to further the gang, and not be held responsible.
“Just one of the lyrics used in this indictment is: ‘Me and my crew striking out, striking in all black / Send me the drop, we’ll kick in the house / If we steal a car, we’re gonna take off the tags.’ Well, they’re kicking in doors, committing home invasions and now I’m using those lyrics that they’re admitting to doing that.”
She added: “I’m going to continue to do that, people can continue to be angry about it. I have some legal advice: don’t confess to crimes on rap lyrics if you do not want them used — or at least get out of my county.”
Willis’ remarks come just weeks after the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act), a proposed bill limiting the use of lyrics in court, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Earlier in August, a similar bill was passed by both the California State Assembly and State Senate. The legislation is currently awaiting the approval of Governor Gavin Newsom, who is expected to sign it into law.
Young Thug: D.A. Says Gang Sympathizers Threatening Witnesses In YSL RICO Case
While rap lyrics being used in court is nothing new, the debate has intensified in recent months following Young Thug and Gunna’s arrests in May as part of a sweeping RICO indictment against their Young Slime Life (YSL) collective, which was filed in Fulton County.
Prosecutors have accused the crew of being a “criminal street gang” responsible for a series of violent crimes in Atlanta, with various lyrics from Thugga and Gunna being used as evidence behind their racketeering charges.
Both rappers remain behind bars after repeatedly being denied bond. A trial has been set for January 2023.
I agree with using lyrics as evidence. If you said it, you said it. Their argument is trying to claim rappers are acting roles sililar to movie actors doesnt cut it when they make references to real life gang beefs and even call out names. You crossed the line between fiction and reality. You are basically wire tapping yourself. Yall can thank FBG Duck for pioneering the art of mixing real life beefs with music. After he popularized calling out “dead opps” in his music, rappers started claiming bragging rights on their music for various crimes.
How old are you LOL FBG Duck did not Pioneer s*** calling out beefs and Dead Ops has been in Hip Hop since the 90s
40s bro. And you never heard NWA, CMW, Geto Boys or any of the rappers of the 90’s name drop scpeciic crimes or names. I can only think of one example which is yellaboy from cash money with drag em in the river. While he didnt mention Mystikals sister, supposedly he killed her and did the record to troll mystikal. Not admission of a crime.
Ever heard of X-Raided or C-Bo?
Layzie Bone “Creepin on ah Come Up” verse also got him arrested, about him robbing a store.
If rap lyrics can be used in court, then let’s use rock lyrics too. Rock musicians also talk about using drugs, alcohol, and have talked about violence and other weird shit in their songs. If they get hit with a case, then they can use their lyrics to determine who they are and judge them off that.
F it then, thats a ignorant comment. I hate rock music just as much as you. But you gotta remember the rock bands are singing about using the drugs, not distributing them. The rock bands might sing about committing demonic murders, but they dont actually do the shit so their is no case to prosecute. The rockers will tell you in interviews its all fake. They dont go up on social media saying they really do the shit and “dont test my satanism”. Think before you type bro. I aint even trying to diss you, just speaking the real.
I respect your reply, but I don’t think my comment was ignorant at all. I did say “using drugs” if you read my comment. Let’s say the lead singer of a rock band gets hit with a domestic abuse case from their spouse or partner. Then the court can use their lyrics as evidence as well. “Oh, he’s a heavy drinker” “He uses drugs” “Oh, he says he owns a gun, he’s probably used it or may use it” See where I’m getting at? Different scenarios but they can be judged the same way off lyrics. The social media part though, I 100% agree with you.
F it the, I get what youre saying but with drug use, you would probally have lawyers arguing about no proof he was under the influence at the time of the crime. Thats why the police take sobriety tests at the scene of the accident, not later at the station. But when you call out certain names, sets, streets, etc. in the music, you personalize the crime. For a under the influence charge to be attached to a domestic violence charge through lyrics, the rock singer would literally have to mention the alcohol, the woman, and the date of the crime (more or less) to stick in court. Thats kinda of what some of these gang rappers are doing in their lyrics. Thats some shit the legends of gangsta rap never did in the 90’s. They kept specific names and crimes off the records.
F it the, I get what youre saying but with drug use, you would probally have lawyers arguing about no proof he was under the influence at the time of the crime. Thats why the police take sobriety tests at the scene of the accident, not later at the station. But when you call out certain names, sets, streets, etc. in the music, you personalize the crime. For a under the influence charge to be attached to a domestic violence charge through lyrics, the rock singer would literally have to mention the alcohol, the woman, and the date of the crime (more or less) to stick in court. Thats kinda of what some of these gang rappers are doing in their lyrics. Thats some shit the legends of gangsta rap never did in the 90’s. They kept specific names and crimes off the records.
using drugs and saying you do is alot different than say
Prosper got shot (Shot)
Tay got shot (Ha)
Desi got dropped (Damn)
Nate got popped (Damn)
Leeke got shot (Well damn)
Spazz face hot (On gang)
Corbin got kidnapped, they found his bones, he was rotten (Where’s Corbin?)
who are all real people
It’s ok whitey, I like sucking off white guys.
Another thing I gotta add is that rappers get mad when you call them actors or fake gangbangers on social media. They always say they are “real” and dont test their gangsta. But now that the police take their music content seriously, they hire lawyers that claim they are actors and their lyrics are them roleplaying fictional characters ? GTFOH
” or atleast get out of my county” … wow sounds very white supremacist of her.. like telling immigrants to leave my country if you don’t live exactly how I say or say to things exactly how I want you to say them
SHES BLACK STOOOPID.
Comprehending isn’t your strong suit apparently…
I comprehend well. I think you lack critical thinking. Telling people to be decent human beings . Is not a lot to ask. You probably flunked rules in kindergarten.
You totally missed the mark here.
I don’t condone the violence but I also think Fani has some personal connection to one of these cases.
KEEPIN IT A BUCK. I’M ALL FOR THIS. FOR EVERY GOOD RAPPER YOU HAVE ABOUT 30 STINK BREFF DRILL DUDES THAT DON’T BELONG IN OUR SOCIETY
👊🏾
It’s crazy down here in Atlanta right now. Not just in Fulton county the whole metro area
is wild.
Blacks need to quit all this nonsense outhear just killing one another
The prosecutor hasn’t done nothing wrong it’s about time to start pitney’s young men away for a while