The use of lyrics has been a key point of concern throughout coverage of the larger YSL RICO case. In June of last year, 300 Entertainment’s Kevin Liles and Atlantic Records’ COO Julie Greenwald launched a petition aimed at stopping this practice. The Rap Music on Trial: Protect Black Art petition has since garnered more than 90,000 signatures.
“Today in courtrooms across America, Black creativity and artistry is being criminalized,” Liles said at the time. “With increasing and troubling frequency, prosecutors are attempting to use rap lyrics as confessions. This practice isn’t just a violation of First Amendment protections for speech and creative expression. It punishes already marginalized communities and silences their stories of family, struggle, survival, and triumph.”
In September, Gunna called for Young Thug’s release from behind bars during what marked his first live performance since being released on an Alford plea last year.