Young Thug and the Rap Industry: Should lyrics be used as evidence to indict?

Young Thug, a popular 32 year old rapper from Atlanta, GA, faces trial for RICO charges, and his lyrics, music videos, and posts are being used for evidence. A largely mainstream and influential figure in Hip-Hop, Young Thug has amassed 24 Gold & Platinum RIAA albums, charting in songs such as “Havana,” “This is America,” and “Way 2 Sexy.” In the reading, Judge Ural Glanville recites select lyrics from Young Thug’s single “Slime Sh*t.” In addition to Thug’s trial, this sweeping indictment calls attention to 28 other individuals involved in the gang YSL (Young Slime Life), including popular rapper Gunna.

Trending on social media platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, clips of Glanville reciting lyrics from Yak Gotti and Lil Duke, the featured artists on “Slime Sh*t,” depict Thug and his accomplices as negligent of the consequences of law and violence; Young Thug boasts his possession of firearms and his numerous acts of murder. Just past the hour mark of the case video, Thug brags that he “done put a whole slime on a hunnid licks,” and blatantly exclaims that “I got that pistol on my hip // You prayin’ that you live // I’m praying you get hit.” This is not the only video that was included in the court case; other singles and albums include “Anybody,” “Take It To Trial,” “Slatty,” and “Ski,” featuring Gunna.

The motion against using rap lyrics in court in recent years has been consistent throughout the nation. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act (AB 2799), thus preventing the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court in California, the first state to pass such a law. Furthermore, the government of New York has supported such freedom of speech, as senators Jamaal Bailey and Brad Hoylman advocate for the “Rap Music on Trial” bill, legislation that would not ban lyrics from the courtroom altogether, but would limit the use of creative expression as evidence of crime.

Young Thug’s attorney responds to allegations by arguing that his lyrics are for the purpose of “enhancing the power and reputation of YSL,” and that his words were used for “entertainment” purposes and to properly articulate his creative expression and storytelling. Many rappers tend to brag or lie about their actions in their lyrics: it is part of the culture in this generation of “mumble rap” to talk about such issues in songs.

Young Thug’s art is purely entertainment for rap music. Part of the motive for young, up-and-coming rappers to discuss violence in their lyrics is to simply help them make money and gain popularity in the industry, a large reason why such a large number of those in YSL are affected by this case. Freedom of speech is important for any artist, in order to portray the different sides of villainy and consequences in the industry. Additionally, if the tendency of using rap lyrics as evidence continues, a growing portion of the rap and rock industry will eventually be caught up in a court case, with some of them going behind bars and losing rights to create music. Rappers should not be incriminated for their artistic expression––criminals who are linked to concrete evidence should.

Jeff Cheng