-Brittany Hennis-

 Cousins!

New York State lawmakers are pushing for officials to set a new order in place that will allow rappers artistic freedom and expressions to be protected against prosecutors in a court of law!

On numerous occasions we have all bared witness to fan favorite rap artists be on trial where the main source of evidence is their own song lyrics.

 Senator Bran Hoylman and Senator Jamaal Baily of New York City introduced their movement,  “Rap Music on Trial” legislation on earlier this month to the Senate reports NBC New York.

This new bill will help artists when prosecutors feel the need to use their lyrics as evidence in a case. Now they can fight by exercising their first amendment right of freedom of speech which will block prosecutors from using their against them. 

During an appearance in court Senator Holyman says, “art is creative expression, not a blueprint of criminal plans, yet we’ve seen prosecutors in New York and across the country try to use rap music lyrics as evidence in criminal cases, a practice upheld this year by a Maryland court.” 

For example, Brooklyn, New York rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, was facing big time behind bars previously after prosecutors used his rap lyrics as evidence. If it is weren’t for him becoming a government informant he would’ve been a goner with a sentence up to 47 years.

The judicial system has reached an all-time low with using rapper’s lyrics against them just to prove a point. Not only are these tactics extremely controversial but it goes against Americans rights to express themselves as a whole.

But we must admit it will be interesting to see two political lawmakers come together and create a bill that could potentially protect an entire community.

“The right to free speech is enshrined in our federal and state constitutions because it is through this right that we can preserve all of our other fundamental rights. The admission of art as criminal evidence only serves to erode this fundamental right, and the use of rap and hip-hop lyrics is emblematic of the systemic racism that permeated our criminal justice system. In many cases, even the mere association with certain genres, like hip hop and rap, leads to heightened scrutiny in the courtroom and is used to presume gilt, immorality, and propensity for criminal activity.” 

Cousins, what are your thoughts on THIS new law being implemented for rapperS?