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JAY-Z is one of a group of music titans throwing his support behind a proposed New York state law that seeks to prevent rap songs from being used as court evidence.

January 19, 2022 The legislation, which was unveiled in November, seeks to limit the admissibility of a defendants music or other creative expression as evidence shown to a jury. The bill would force prosecutors to provide clear and convincing evidence that a defendants creative expression, such as a rap song, is literal, rather than figurative or fictional. On Tuesday (January 18), the bill was passed by the Senate Codes committee, providing a major boost to its chances of being put to a full vote on the senate floor. This is an issue thats important to ( JAY-Z ) and all the other artists that have come together to try to bring about this change, Hovs lawyer Alex Spiro said. This is a long time coming. Mr. Carter is from New York, and if he can lend his name and his weight, thats what he wants to do. Spiro co-wrote the letter with University of Richmond Professor Erik Nielson, who co-authored the 2019 book Rap on Trial. In it, they emphasize rap musics deep storytelling roots and use of hyperbolic language, while arguing the genre employs all of the same poetic devices we find in more traditional works of poetry. Our lyrics are a creative form of self-expression and entertainment just like any other genre, Fat Joeadded. We want our words to be recognized as art rather than being weaponized to get convictions in court. I hope the governor and all the lawmakers in New York take our letter into consideration, protect our artistic rights and make the right decision to pass this bill. Read more