-Eldica Stuart-

Cousins!

For music artists, there is a growing issue in the hip hop and rap genre of music in regards to utilizing lyrics as evidence within the court of law In response there has been a new bill introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives!

The new bill was introduced by Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) The ‘RAP’ symbolizes the acronym ‘Restoring Artistic Protection’ is an act that seeks to protect artists from using their lyrics as evidence in criminal and civil proceedings. 

The proposed legislation notes referencing the 2021 case By-Cousin v Powell:  “Freddy Mercury did not confess to having ‘just killed a man’ by putting ‘a gun against his head’ and ‘’pulling the trigger. Bob Marley did not confess to having shot a sheriff. And Johnny Cash did not confess to shooting a man in Reno, just to watch him die.” 

According to Variety, The RAP Act would make an impact on the Federal Rules of Evidence by adding presumptions “that would limit the admissibility of evidence of an artist’s creative or artistic expression against that artist in court.” 

Attorney Dina LaPolt, says this act and practice will set a dangerous precedent that caused over 500 criminal cases that have been used in rap lyrics as evidence. 

Cousins! How different would it be if a witness tells officials what they know as opposed to a rap artist telling on themselves through music? How do you feel about the new RAP act?