Judge Allows Rap Lyrics as Evidence in Young Thug’s RICO Trial

Young Thug and five others are facing racketeering charges in Fulton County, Georgia. They are accused of being part of a violent criminal street gang called YSL, which is linked to the Bloods. A judge has decided that the rap lyrics of the defendants can be used as evidence against them in the trial.

The state says the lyrics show the defendants’ involvement in the gang, their state of mind, and their admission of crimes, including murder. The state cites lyrics such as “I just beat a murder rap, I paid my lawyer, 30 for that” and “me and my slimes are above the law.”

The defense says YSL is just a music label, not a gang, and that the lyrics are artistic expression, not factual statements. The defense argues that using the lyrics would bias the jury against the defendants. The defense says the defendants rap about what they see in their environment, not what they do.

The judge has reviewed the First Amendment issues and has allowed some of the lyrics to be used in the trial, with conditions. The judge has approved 17 sets of lyrics provided by the state, but any additional lyrics would have to go through the same process.

The state has also been analyzing the music and social media posts of the defendants for nine years. They say they have more evidence against them. Young Thug released a new album in June, while he was in jail.

The use of rap lyrics as evidence has sparked a national debate. A Georgia congressman introduced a bill in 2022 that would limit the use of lyrics as evidence in federal court. The bill is called the “Restoring Artistic Protections Act” or “RAP Act.”