Rap on Trial: The Fight for Free Speech in Hip Hop
Young Thug is the latest rapper to have his lyrics read and used against him in court. In this article, we examine the relationship hip hop has had with our judicial system and the government that controls it.
Hip hop and politics have been intertwined since the genre’s inception in the 1970s. From the earliest days of the culture, rappers have used their music to address social and political issues, and their lyrics have often reflected the struggles and perspectives of marginalized communities. However, the relationship between hip hop and politics has not always been a positive one, and there have been numerous cases where rappers’ lyrics have been used against them in the court of law.
One of the most high-profile examples of this occurred in the early 1990s, when rapper Tupac Shakur was charged with sexual assault. Prosecutors in the case argued that lyrics from Shakur’s songs, which often contained graphic and violent imagery, demonstrated a propensity for violence and were used as evidence against him. Shakur was ultimately convicted and served time in prison.
This is not an isolated case, Another example is rapper Meek Mill, who was sentenced to prison in 2017 for violating probation from a 2008 drug and gun conviction. The judge in the case cited lyrics from Mill’s songs as evidence of a continued disregard for the law.
Another example of rappers’ lyrics being used against them in court is the case of C-Murder, whose real name is Corey Miller. In 2002, Miller was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 16-year-old boy at a Louisiana nightclub. Prosecutors in the case argued that Miller’s lyrics, which often contained violent imagery and references to guns and killing, demonstrated a penchant for violence and were used as evidence against him. Miller was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
In 2008, Lil’ Wayne was arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon after a gun was found on his tour bus. Prosecutors in the case argued that Wayne’s lyrics, which often contained references to guns and violence, demonstrated a disregard for the law and a willingness to use weapons. Wayne pleaded guilty to the charge and served eight months in prison.
In 2010, Gucci Mane was arrested and charged with assault after he hit a man in the head with a champagne bottle at an Atlanta nightclub. Prosecutors in the case argued that Mane’s lyrics, which often contained violent imagery and references to drugs and violence, demonstrated a propensity for violence and were used as evidence against him. Mane pleaded guilty to the charge and served six months in prison.
In 2015, Bobby Shmurda was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, weapons possession, and reckless endangerment. Prosecutors in the case argued that Shmurda’s lyrics, which often contained references to violence and gang activity, demonstrated a disregard for the law and a willingness to engage in criminal activity. Shmurda pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
There have been numerous other cases where rappers’ lyrics have been used as evidence in court. These cases demonstrate the contentious relationship between hip hop and the criminal justice system, and the ways in which lyrics can be used to criminalize and stereotype young black men.
It’s important to note that these cases not only raise questions about the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court, but also about the larger societal issues that give rise to this type of criminalization of black men. It’s crucial to consider how societal biases and stereotypes may shape the way in which these cases are prosecuted and the ways in which hip hop culture is perceived by the broader public.
However, it’s not all negative as there are many positive examples of hip hop artists using their platform to support political causes and advocate for change. One of the most notable examples is rapper and activist Killer Mike, who has been a vocal supporter of progressive policies such as universal healthcare and criminal justice reform. In 2020, he interviewed with Bernie Sanders on the campaign trail and has been active in promoting voter registration and civic engagement among young people.
Kendrick Lamar, who has been vocal about issues of social justice, including police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. Lamar’s lyrics often address these issues and call for change, and he has also used his platform to advocate for education and community development.
J. Cole also uses his music to address such issues and he has been actively involved in community development and philanthropy. He founded the Dreamville Foundation, which aims to support underprivileged youth and improve access to education and the arts, and he’s also been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and education.
Lil Baby released the song “Bigger Picture” in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the protests that followed, and it serves as a call to action for people to stand up against systemic racism and violence. It is a powerful protest anthem that addresses the issue of police brutality and racial injustice in America. In the song, Lil Baby raps about his experiences with racial profiling and the injustices faced by Black people, and he urges people to come together to fight for change.
Rapper Common, who is also an actor and a social activist, has been actively involved in many causes and community development projects throughout his career. He started the Common Ground Foundation in 2000, a non-profit organization focused on empowering young people from underprivileged backgrounds through education and the arts. He also actively supports many other organizations like the ACLU, and has been a strong advocate for criminal justice reform and voting rights.
Another notable Chicago rapper, Chance The Rapper founded the SocialWorks nonprofit organization, which aims to empower Chicago’s youth through education, the arts, and civic engagement. He has also donated millions of dollars to Chicago Public Schools, mental health initiatives, and has been an advocate for criminal justice reform.
Nipsey Hussle, the late rapper, used his platform to promote positive messages and advocate for economic empowerment in his communities. Hussle opened a STEM center and co-working space in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles, and also founded the Destination Crenshaw project to promote Black culture, history and art.
Hip hop’s influence on politics is not limited to the United States either, in countries like South Africa, Congo and Senegal, hip hop artists are using their music to address issues of poverty, corruption, and political oppression. In South Africa, the group Prophets of da City, used their music to address issues of racism and inequality during the country’s transition to democracy in the 1990s.
Even as artists use their music and platform for good, their lyrics are often cherry picked and scrutinized. We saw Fox News repeatedly go after Kendrick Lamar, to which he used their anchor’s commentary in an explosive retort on his song, DNA. When Scott Paul ran for county office, his opponents used his career as a music artist against him. After besting her in a political debate, County Commissioner and current State Assembly candidate, Dawn Fantasia, launched a personal attack against Paul and used his song lyrics to discredit him. This prompted a viral response by Scott Paul, who called out the elected official for criticizing Black culture while actively disregarding Black voices in their community.
These examples demonstrate the ways in which hip hop artists use their influence to create positive change and promote important social and political issues. It’s important to recognize the power and impact of music, and the ways in which it can and has been used to effect positive change in communities and society.
In conclusion, while some hip hop artists have had their lyrics used against them, many others have used their platform to create positive change in their communities and promote positive messages in their music. From Kendrick Lamar’s advocacy for social justice to Nipsey Hussle’s promoting economic empowerment, these artists have used their platform to effect positive change and make a meaningful impact in their communities and society. As Hip Hop continues to grow in popularity, we hope to see greater appreciation for the expression it allows and the artists that use it for good. This would mean an end to criminalizing lyrics and the beginning of learning from these artists’ and the communities they come from.
