In a blow to Hip-Hop artists, an Atlanta judge has ruled that lyrics by Young Thug and other of his YSL associates can be used at his RICO trial. “They’re not prosecuting your clients because of the ...

Atlanta rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, is seen on a monitor as he waits for a virtual appearance before a Fulton County magistrate judge on May 10, 2022. (Arvin ...

UPDATE (11/9): Young Stoner Life's X account posted a link to a petition to push for legislation at the federal and state level to prohibit prosecutors from using rap lyrics in criminal trials. "The ...

READ ALOUD in court, the words sounded like a confession: “Fuck the judge…this that mob life…cookin’ white brick.” Not long ago the defendant, Jeffery Williams, was rapping these lines on stage. Now ...

Hip-hop, a genre born from the struggles and realities of inner-city communities, has long been a powerful platform for social commentary. Its raw lyricism, often depicting violence, drug dealing, and ...

Since its early days, rap lyrics have been used by prosecutors to build narratives with criminal trials. With the genre's popularity booming, this trend continues to affect aspiring artists and A-list ...

Lyrics written by Atlanta rappers Young Thug and Gunna are being used against them in court. Photo by Michael Tullberg / Getty Images Young Thug and Gunna, two prominent rappers in the Atlanta hip-hop ...

NPR's Adrian Florido speaks with attorney Alexandra Kazarian about the ways in which rap lyrics are used in the criminal justice system. Should the government have the right to police a musician's ...