In a newly-published feature, titled “Why Are Rap Lyrics Being Used As Evidence In Court,” Noisey.com addresses the increased use of rap lyrics as evidence in court. The publication cites court cases dating back to the early 90s and also features commentary from those in the Hip Hop community.
According to Erik Nielson, a rap scholar at the University of Richmond, the use of lyrics as evidence has become “widespread.”
“It is pervasive, it is widespread,” Nielson said while speaking with Noisey. “Lyrics are being used all throughout the criminal justice process. They’re being used in indictment hearings, they’re being used in actual trials, they’re being used in sentencing hearings. We know that they’re being used in less formal ways, for example to compel a plea bargain.”
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Atlanta, Georgia rapper Killer Mike is also featured in Noisey’s story. The Run The Jewels lyricist addressed the prejudice surrounding Hip Hop.
“The prejudice is there; hip-hop is just being used as a way to apply the prejudice. It is hip-hop today, it was jazz 80 years ago, it was rock and roll when Little Richard was around,” Killer Mike said. “The most dangerous thing is not the active participation in a racist system—by the judges or the prosecutors or the police, who are the front lines of making sure these policies are in place—but the very real and very scary thing is the apathy by the general American public that is the same racial makeup of the leaders of these groups.”
Among the court cases mentioned in the feature story was one involving an aspiring rapper by the name of Vonte Skinner who was charged with attempted murder. Noisey reports that during his trial, which took place in 2008, New Jersey state prosecutors read 13 pages of lyrics written by Skinner.
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Skinner was convicted of attempted murder during a second trial, but appealed that decision. His appeal resulted in a retrial due to the use of his lyrics as evidence.
Also mentioned in Noisey’s feature is Uncle Murda affiliate, Ronald “Ra Diggs” Herron. A judge in his court case allowed his music and rap videos to be used as evidence.
“Without passing judgment on the truth of these statements or depictions, the court finds the content of the rap-related videos to be generally relevant in this case where the Government must prove the existence and structure of an alleged criminal enterprise and a pattern of criminal activity committed in furtherance of that enterprise,” Judge Nicholas Garaufis said in regards to the use of Ra Diggs’ music as evidence in his case.
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Noisey’s full “Why Are Rap Lyrics Being Used As Evidence In Court” story can be found at Noisey.com.
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