Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that prevents prosecutors from using rap lyrics as evidence in the state of California.
RELATED STORIES: New York Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Prevent Prosecutors From Using Rap Lyrics As Evidence
The Assembly Bill 2799 was signed Friday during an online forum involving Meek Mill, Killer Mike, Tyga, YG, E-40, Ty Dolla $ign, and several others. According to TMZ, California’s new law will prohibit prosecutors from using rap lyrics as evidence in criminal cases unless a judge approves it first.
CA is the 1st state to ensure creative content – like lyrics & music videos – can’t be used against artists in court without judicial review.
Thanks, @JonesSawyerAD59 for your work & @yg @KillerMike @tydollasign @Tyga @MeekMill @E40 @TooShort for your dedication to the cause. pic.twitter.com/cpOSCiHh0X
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) September 30, 2022
Before the signing, E-40 and Too $hort explained the importance of the law and said artists had the right to express themselves through music and hoped the new bill would influence the other 49 states to do the same. A similar bill was introduced by New York lawmakers earlier this year but failed to pass.
“The signing of AB 2799 into California law is a huge victory for the artistic and creative community, and a big step in the right direction towards our federal legislation … preventing the use of lyrics as the sole basis to prosecute cases,” said Black Music Action Coalition co-founder Willie “Prophet” Stiggers. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr also called the signing “historic” and noted it will pave the way for creative freedoms throughout the country.
“Silencing any genre or form of artistic expression is a violation against all music people. The history that’s been made in California today will help pave the way forward in the fight to protect creative freedom nationwide,”
The new law states that it will provide a “framework by which courts can ensure that the use of an accused person’s creative expression will not be used to introduce stereotypes or activate bias against the defendant.”
Another win for artists and the creative industries. @CAArtsAdvocates was happy to support this legislation. @GavinNewsom @CAgovernor #caleg https://t.co/spPyMKjMnm
— CA for the Arts (@CAfortheArts) September 30, 2022
In a report by Datebook, over 500 cases listed rap lyrics used as evidence in 2019 during federal or state trials.
Kim Kardashian even praised Newsom’s signing on Twitter and she also posted a tweet relating to Gunna’s case in an Instagram story post.
Amazing news out of CA- great work @GavinNewsom! Your turn Georgia! #FreeGunna https://t.co/HUfALnaVaG
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) September 30, 2022
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! https://t.co/ZG1zW91hmu
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) September 30, 2022
The historical law comes amid Gunna, Young Thug, and several other members of YSL who were jailed due to a RICO case in Georgia. Prosecutors used their rap lyrics as evidence as part of their charges.
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