Newsom signs bill to limit use of hip-hop lyrics in criminal trials

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill Friday to limit the use of hip-hop lyrics as evidence in criminal trials amid multiple high-profile cases of lyrics being used against rappers who have been arrested. 

The law, which Newson signed alongside rappers, record producers and record industry executives who were present virtually, is the first in the country to ensure someone’s “creative expression” is not used to “introduce stereotypes or active bias” against a defendant or be used as evidence in a trial against them. 

It also requires courts to determine if song lyrics are admissible as evidence and whether content should be linked to an alleged crime.