Atlanta DA Defends Using Young Thug Lyrics As Evidence In Court Proceedings

Young Thug's lyrics will be used in his upcoming trial for his RICO case in Atlanta, Georgia, later this month.

Thug's lyrics have long been pressed to be used by the DA, garnering widespread criticism from industry figures and other artists in general.

Young Thug Trial Update

In a filing obtained by Billboard, the Fulton County District Attorney's office defended its use of Young Thug's lyrics, saying that it is "clearly fair game" because it shows admission that they're part of YSL (Young Slime Life).

"Gang lyric evidence pertaining to the predicate offenses, YSL, its rivals, expectations, and behaviors are all highly pertinent to the defendants' states of mind and intent in this case," they wrote in the filing filed last Nov. 3, 2023. "The defendants associated with YSL for criminal purposes."

Among the lyrics that the DA plans to use in the trial is from Thugger's song "Just How It Is" which says: "Gave the lawyer close to two mil', he handle all the killings." The DA even pointed out the logic that if the unabomber's manifesto had been set to music, it couldn't be used against Ted Kaczynski.

"According to the defense's argument, had the Turner Diaries been read with background music, it could not have been introduced against Timothy McVeigh," they added. "Gang lyric evidence pertaining to the predicate offenses, YSL, its rivals, expectations, and behaviors are all highly pertinent to the defendants' states of mind and intent in this case. The defendants associated with YSL for criminal purposes."

Atlanta DA Explains Use of Rap Lyrics In Court

Hip-hop artists and activists have long been arguing that rap lyrics shouldn't be used in criminal convictions as they unfairly target constitutionally protected speech.

Fulton County DA Fani Willis explained in an interview in 2022 the idea of using Young Thug's lyrics in court.

"I think if you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, I'm going to use it. I'm not targeting anyone. You do not get to commit crimes in my county, and then get to decide to brag on it, which you do that for a form of intimidation and to further the gain and to not be held responsible," Willis announced. "I have some legal advice: Don't confess to crimes on rap lyrics if you don't want them used, or at least get out of my county,"

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