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The RAP Act Could Be Passed To Defend Lyrics From Persecution

Written by on July 28, 2022

The RAP Act Could Be Passed To Defend Lyrics From Persecution

In light of the recent case against rappers Gunna and Young Thug, it would be interesting to hear what their legal teams would say about the RAP Act. Critics claim it tramples on the First Amendment and reeks of racial stereotyping in the criminal justice system. The prosecution claims the lyrics are “exaggerated” and were used to convince the jury to convict the rappers.

The RAP Act, could be passed to protect lyric writers from retribution. It would ban the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials, including in confessions. This would codify the notion that lyrics are not reliable as evidence. This idea already exists in many areas of law, including pretrial hearings and the ban on character evidence.

In addition to the RAP Act, the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act) could also help rap artists. By amending the criminal code, the RAP Act would prevent criminal trials based on rap lyrics. By establishing rappers’ rights to artistic expression, the RAP Act could protect the rights of songwriters when their work is used against them in criminal court cases.

Fortunately, it’s possible to get a law that will protect songwriters and artists from having their lyrics used as evidence in court. The Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act) bill was introduced by Congressmen Hank Johnson, D-Ga., and Jamaal Bowman, D-NY. If passed, the bill would be the first federal law that prohibits prosecutors from using lyrics as evidence in court cases.

A RAP Act could protect songwriters and artists from being sued for using figurative language and hyperbole in their songs. Rappers, who are almost exclusively young Black and Latino men, are emblematic of the systemic issues in the criminal justice system. The legal status of rap has changed dramatically, with hip-hop surpassing rock as the most popular genre on streaming services.

The use of rap lyrics in criminal trials is a controversial legal trend. Critics say it’s a disproportionate use of rap lyrics to make an arrest, infringing upon First Amendment rights. Rap lyrics are also commonly used to support search warrant applications, but the admissibility of such evidence is not a certainty. In fact, some judges have even said rap lyrics are not admissible as evidence.