Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Fat Joe, Kelly Rowland & Robin Thicke’s Backed ‘Rap Music On Trial’ Bill, Restricting Rap Lyrics In Criminal Cases, Passes New York Senate

Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Fat Joe, Kelly Rowland, Robin Thicke

Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Fat Joe, Kelly Rowland & Robin Thicke’s Backed ‘Rap Music On Trial’ Bill, Restricting Rap Lyrics In Criminal Cases, Passes New York Senate

Many celebrities have made progress in their quest to limit prosecutors from using song lyrics as evidence in court!

On Tuesday (May 17), New York State’s Senate passed a bill that would limit song lyrics from being used as evidence in criminal cases, according to reports. Senate Bill S7527, also called “Rap Music on Trial,” will not ban song lyrics or other creative material being used as evidence, but prosecutors must prove that the lyrics are “literal, rather than figurative or fictional.”

Senate Bill S7527 will become the first of its kind in the nation, but before the bill can become a law, it must pass the New York State Assembly. The bill is pending before a committee and awaiting a vote.

As previously reported, the bill has received public backing from multiple famed artists, including; Jay-Z, 52, Meek Mill, 35, Fat Joe, 51, Big Sean, 34, Yo Gotti, 40, Kelly Rowland, 41, Killer Mike, 47, and Robin Thicke, 45.

While in preparation for months, news about the bill initially surfaced back in January. At the time, Jay-Z’s lawyer sent over a letter to state lawmakers encouraging the significance of the bill being passed, which included signatures by the artists who support the bill.

Jay-Z

The passing of Senate Bill S7527 comes amid Atlanta rappers Young Thug, 30, Gunna, 28, and various other members of the record label “YSL” recent arrest and RICO charges, in which prosecutors utilized song lyrics as heavy evidence for their indictment.

What are your thoughts on the bill? Let us know in the comments below! 

[Sources: 1, 2]