Kelly Rowland Robin Thicke Brad Hoylman Jay Z.Hip New York state New York rap Hip-Hop Jay-Z and Kelly Rowland Robin Thicke Brad Hoylman Jay Z.Hip New York state New York

Jay-Z and others call for rap lyrics to no longer be used as criminal evidence

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Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jay-Z — are now arguing for a change in New York law so that rap lyrics can no longer be used as evidence in criminal trials.Meek Mill, Fat Joe, Robin Thicke, Yo Gotti and Destiny’s Child diva Kelly Rowland are among those who have signed a letter making their case for New York state lawmakers to back the proposed change.

The A-list signees say the law would bolster artists’ freedom of expression.“This is a long time coming,” Alex Spiro — Jay-Z’s lawyer, who drafted the letter — told Rolling Stone. “By changing the law here, you do a lot of good for the cases that it affects, but you also send a message that progress is coming.

We expect it will be followed in a lot of places.” First proposed in November by state senators Brad Hoylman and Jamaal Bailey, the Rap Music on Trial legislation passed an initial stage in the senate earlier this week.

It seeks to prevent prosecutors from citing lyrics, except in cases of “clear and convincing proof” that the words are linked to a crime.“The right to free speech is enshrined in our federal and state constitutions,” Bailey said at the time. “The admission of art as criminal evidence only serves to erode this fundamental right.”Bailey added that the law would also go a long way in the fight for social justice, since the lyrics are often used against people of color.

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