Young Thug's RICO trial began earlier this week, and Fat Joe, who has been a staunch supporter of banning the use of rap lyrics in court, spoke to Gayle King on CNN about his thoughts on the case.
“I’ve been rapping professionally for 30 years — I’ve lied in almost 95 percent of my songs,” he said. “I’m being honest. I write like I feel that day. I’m just being creative. You couldn’t build a jail high enough for the lyrics I’ve said on songs which are all untrue."
He went on to say his music was never about who he actually is as a person, and that music should be treated as entertainment.
“What I am is a family man, the person who gives back to my community all the time, opens businesses in my community," he said. "So the music would never amount to the actual person, Joseph Cartagena. What’s even more horrible is that the district attorneys, they know those lyrics ain’t real. They know that’s creativity. But if it helps their case, they’ll use it to put these guys in jail. And here, we’re having a fun show about it and discussion, but there really is six defendants in Atlanta who might spend the rest of their lives in jail for something that’s totally not true. This is very serious. This destroys families.”
Fat Joes isn't the only rapper who's been vocal about his displeasure over rap lyrics being used in court. Last year, artists, industry leaders, and legal experts have joined together to publish an open letter in the New York Times and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to “Protect Black Art." The call urged legislators across America to limit how creative expression can be used against defendants on trial. 50 Cent, Ice-T, DJ Drama, D-Nice, Busta Rhymes, T.I., Killer Mike, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Jay Electronica, Meek Mill, and more signed the letter. Additionally, companies supported the call including Warner Music Group, Sony Music Group, Universal Music Group, BMG, Kobalt, and Atlanta-based LVRN and Quality Control, AEG Presents, Audiomack, Deezer, Live Nation Entertainment, SiriusXM, SoundCloud, Spotify, TIDAL, TikTok, and YouTube Music, among a host of others.
The letter to "Protect Black Art" came after Gavin Newsome signed The Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, which restricts the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court in California. Killer Mike, Meek Mill, Too $hort, YG, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyga joined the signing ceremony celebrating the moment. The Black Music Action Coalition called the bill a “crucial step in the right direction."
Young Thug's trial will continue on Monday, Dec. 4.
