California Senate passes bill limiting use of rap lyrics in court amid Young Thug indictment

Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Governors Ball

The California state Senate passed a bill that would limit the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal proceedings — a controversial and common practice by prosecutors that has garnered national attention amid the indictment against rappers Young Thug and Gunna.

Bill AB 2799, which is expected to be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom after clearing the State Assembly, would be the first legislation of its kind to be signed into law.

According to the bill, the legislation seeks to “ensure that the use of an accused person’s creative expression will not be used to introduce stereotypes or activate bias against