This congressman wants to decriminalize rap
What’s up, Recast fam! The CDC admits it botched its pandemic response, a Jan. 6 grand jury subpoenas White House documents and a federal judge temporarily blocks Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE Act.” But today, while Brakkton’s on vacation, we’re diving into rap and freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is a key factor in many forms of art, but that creative license can be interpreted and used against you in court. Democratic Reps. Jamaal Bowman of New York and Hank Johnson of Georgia are pushing legislation to ensure that is no longer the case for song lyrics.
The Restoring Artistic Protection [RAP] Act is designed to prevent prosecutors from using rappers’ lyrics and artistic expression as evidence in civil and criminal cases.
Young Thug is a recent example of how the legal system can gather an artist’s portfolio and use it against them. The Atlanta rapper is in jail awaiting trial on racketeering charges, street gang activity and drug possession. The indictment focused heavily on his lyrics, music videos and social media, all of which are being considered as evidence against him.