> Johnny Cash said he “shot a man in Reno just to watch him die” but never got in trouble. But when people of color do it, they can get sent to prison (Young Thug is right now).

Of course instead of being hysterical you could do your own research. Rappers getting caught for committing crimes based on their rap as evidence is not new. In fact, there are several sub-genres of rap where this is more common than the relatively mainstream stuff you listen to (drill, for example). Johnny Cash, however, never killed a man Reno. Ice Cube and Dr. Dre had plenty of violent lyrics but they never rapped about crimes they've personally committed (at least in an obvious way).

Using Young Thug is particularly hilarious because the RICO case against him uses his rap lyrics as evidence to corroborate his involvement in gangs and violence. There's no problem with this. If Johnny Cash was a part of a roving band of murderers in Reno he would be given the same treatment.

I don't think you're going to gain any virtue points for defending Young Thug, for what it's worth. You've misunderstood the entire case by focusing on this made up world where the lyrics are what is on trial. Come on.

The issue isn't specificity though, it's general admittance into court. Young Thug doesn't say things like, "I shot Dequavious Butts on September 2nd" it's generalized criminality. "Pull up with the stick, hit a lick, now I'm rich" then they have an expert witness explain the meaning of that to the jury and call it evidence of a criminal conspiracy.

So are you saying this law is a formalisation of what (should?) Already be happening?

I'm not American so I don't really know the context but it seems to me general lyrics about illegality are just general lyrics whereas specific lyrics, with other evidence could form the basis of a case.

> general lyrics about illegality are just general lyrics whereas specific lyrics, with other evidence could form the basis of a case.

IANAL but that is the case. They aren't trying anyone for the lyrics. They're trying them for a crime, with lyrics that suggest an admission to a crime serving as evidence. As far as I know no one has been sent to jail simply for the lyrics. However, it is quite convincing to a jury when you are on trial for a crime, and you also rap about said crime brazenly. No different than people going on Facebook to brag about what they stole from the store.

I live in Atlanta occasionally.

How many times do you have to be caught with illegal weapons and drugs to go to prison in this country? Unfortunately for your example this guy should have been in prison 3x over.

This ia not because of his song lyrics. He's a menace.