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In November 2021, Young Thug made an appearance on Saturday Night Live to showcase his second album, Punk. Actor Rami Malek introduced the Atlanta rapper, who donned a fuchsia fur coat and baby pink pants. He was joined onstage by rapper Gunna, pop singer Nate Ruess, and drummer Travis Barker. His two performances that evening showcased his unique blend of genres and psychedelic style that he has incorporated into his music for a long time.
During his performance of “Tick Tock” that evening, a track that was ultimately not included in the final version of “Punk,” he rapped: “I was a leader in my neighborhood long before receiving any recognition or accolades.”
After a span of two years, the rapper is now facing a trial for racketeering in Georgia which is set to begin on Monday. The pre-trial hearings have involved intense discussions regarding the lyrics, including the one mentioned. Jeffery Williams, known by his stage name Young Thug, maintains that his lyrics are fictional and should not be considered as confessions to any illegal acts. His lawyer, Brian Steel, argues that the prosecution is cherry-picking lyrics from a skilled and successful songwriter and attempting to use them against his character.
Young Thug is a highly praised rapper from his era, having released numerous mixtapes and albums, including two that reached No. 1 (So Much Fun in 2019 and Young Stoner Life: Slime Language 2 in 2021). He has also worked with notable artists such as Elton John, Drake, and Camila Cabello, even contributing to her chart-topping global hit “Havana.” Beyond the realm of rap, he has made a name for himself in the fashion industry with his gender-fluid fashion sense, most notably wearing a dress on the cover art of his mixtape Jeffery.
In addition to achieving success as a solo musician, Williams was a prominent member of the Young Stoner Life (YSL) collective and record label. The label released his music, as well as albums from fellow artists like Gunna. However, this is where things become tricky for Williams. According to prosecutors, YSL is also known as Young Slime Life, which they allege is a criminal gang that Williams leads.
In the upcoming court case, they intend to present evidence that Williams was a leader who instructed others to carry out numerous illegal acts, including murder. According to a legal document outlining 56 charges, the district attorneys claim that the musician rented a vehicle that was later used in the murder of a rival gang member. Williams, who was apprehended in May 2022 on nine counts, including involvement in a street gang and conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Rico Act, has consistently maintained his innocence.
The lawyers representing Williams argue that the charges against him are unjust and unfairly discriminate against a specific group of artists, including rappers and a clothing designer who has been removed from the upcoming trial. These individuals have used their storytelling skills to create successful entertainment in hopes of improving their socioeconomic status. The defense portrays Williams as a charitable individual who has helped numerous young Black men from his childhood neighborhood of Cleveland Avenue in south-east Atlanta. They acknowledge that these men are affiliated with the YSL collective, but deny any claims that the collective is a criminal gang.
The prosecutors claim that Young Thug’s lyrics reflect the harsh reality of violent crime in Atlanta and can therefore be used as evidence in this trial. The Fulton county district attorney, Fani Willis, gave a noteworthy statement during a press conference a few weeks after Williams and 27 others were indicted, advising against confessing to crimes through rap lyrics if one does not want them to be used against them. Opening arguments are scheduled for next week, but nine plea deals have already been made (including one with Gunna in 2022) and 12 defendants have had their charges dropped. This means that six defendants, including Williams, will be present in court next week while one has yet to surrender to law enforcement.
Legal experts are closely monitoring the case to determine if the use of Georgia’s Rico statute against YSL and YFN, alleged street gangs, can provide insight into the ongoing Fulton county trial of Donald Trump and his co-defendants. The trials both utilize Georgia’s broad Rico law, which differs from the federal statute it is based on, to present a narrative of an organized conspiracy. This would likely be more challenging to prove in individual cases. By bringing numerous conspiracy charges against a group, the prosecution can also offer plea deals to certain defendants in exchange for their cooperation in strengthening their case against the remaining defendants.
John E Floyd, an expert on Rico, has presented the prosecution’s argument for why lyrics should be allowed in the YSL case. He is currently collaborating with Willis to build a case against Trump.
The inclusion of rap lyrics as evidence in the YSL trial has sparked a widespread conversation about the potential prejudice and injustice of using rap music in legal proceedings. Kevin Liles, the CEO of 300 Entertainment, the label that distributes music for Young Stoner Life’s artists, has initiated a movement called “Protect Black Art.” In a public statement signed by over 100 musicians and industry professionals, Liles contends that rap lyrics are disproportionately targeted and used as evidence in court compared to lyrics from non-Black artists in different genres.
“We do not discuss films or different types of music in disagreements. We do not bring those matters to legal proceedings. However, our music has been under scrutiny and we are continuously scrutinized for our identity and nature,” stated Liles while tearfully testifying at a bail hearing for Williams last year.
Erik Nielson and Andrea L. Dennis, who are experts in law and the authors of the book Rap on Trial, concur. They have gathered a record of approximately 700 documented instances in which rap lyrics have been utilized by prosecutors in trials during the past thirty years.
According to the Rap on Trial website, in some instances, the lyrics were presented as evidence during the trial, while in others, they were used to justify charging a suspect, securing an indictment, negotiating a plea deal, or determining a sentence. This research, which has gained support from rappers like Killer Mike, Jay-Z, and Meek Mill, has prompted several lawmakers to address the issue of whether rap lyrics should be admissible in court. Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill in California that aims to limit the use of rap lyrics in court and urges judges to consider the potential for racial bias in the case. Nielson is expected to testify during the YSL trial as part of Williams’ defense.
Prosecutors claim that their focus is not specifically on Williams and his associates as rappers. Rather, they assert that the YSL case is a component of a broader effort to combat gang-related violence, which they have linked to a significant portion of crime in Atlanta in 2022.
According to sources, the prosecution intends to present various forms of evidence to the jury, including text messages, jail phone calls, and testimony from gang experts. The witness list currently contains approximately 400 individuals. The trial is expected to last six months, but the defense believes it will extend into the following year.
Source: theguardian.com
