The texts of American rapper Young Thug examined by the courts which accuse him of organized crime

Will his song lyrics be used against him? The trial of the Atlanta rapper, accused of being a gang leader, enters into the substance of the case on Monday, November 27. Prosecutors rely on his texts which, according to them, constitute a confession of the crimes of which he is accused.

Will Young Thug’s song lyrics weigh in on his organized crime trial? Is this evidence that he is actually a gang leader and that his label conceals criminal activity? The substantive debates begin Monday, November 27 in the case targeting this very influential figure in American rap, aged 32, emblematic of the current of trap music.

Along with around twenty people, Jeffery Lamar Williams (real name) was indicted in May 2022 by a grand jury in Georgia (United States), for alleged membership in a branch of the “Bloods” gang identified as “Young Slime Life“, or YSL. Initials which correspond to those of his label founded in 2016, Young Stoner Life Records.

The Atlanta rapper, whose arrest was a shock to the local rap scene, is accused of criminal conspiracy and participation in the criminal activities of a gang, suspected in particular of murders and drug trafficking. The interpreter of Best Friend, Hot Or Check, who has collaborated with the biggest names in rap and pop, from Drake to Dua Lipa, Travis Scott and Justin Bieber, proclaims his innocence.

Songs as evidence

Prosecutors rely, as evidence, on lyrics from certain Young Thug songs (meaning young thug). They also dissect those of another rapper, Gunna, his protégé, who made a plea agreement, and of a posthumous title by Juice Wrlddied in 2019 of an overdose.

The trial hearings so far have been devoted to jury selection, an arduous task that lasted 11 months. The matter now gets serious. At the heart of the file, 17 extracts from Young Thug’s titles, which constitute, according to the prosecution, as many confessions to the crimes of which the rapper is accused. In his lyrics, the latter evokes, like many rappers, stories of gangsters, assassinations and big money.

“I like it when people ask me what I say”confided Young Thug to the magazine The Fader in 2014. And to continue: “I’m not going to tell them, I’m going to let them listen to my songs for another 10 years before I do.”

His lawyers sought to exclude these lyrics from the exhibits, saying that the use of verses could unfairly influence the twelve jurors called to decide. An argument defended by many supporters of freedom of expression and players in the music industry, who fear that this practice harms the creativity of artists and disproportionately affects African-Americans. The use of song lyrics as evidence is also contrary to the First Amendment of the American Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.

“We’re not talking about rap lyrics here, but gang lyrics”replied prosecutor Mike Carlson. “These are late-night confessions.”

A hundred witnesses will take the stand

This isn’t the first time hip-hop verses have landed in a courtroom. Young Thug’s defense, which insists that YSL is nothing more than an artistic label and a breeding ground for artists, cited as a witness a specialist on the subject, the professor at the University of Richmond , Erik Nielson. According to this expert, “this question of rap in the trials is only a new illustration of a system which insists on imprisoning young men of color”.

The trial, which is taking place in the same Atlanta court where former President Donald Trump will soon be tried, will feature hundreds of witnesses, including rappers TI and Killer Mike of the duo Run The Jewels.

As a snub, Young Thug released a new album in June 2023 called Business Is Businessappearing seated in a courtroom on the record cover.