The new legal salvo, which argues that the song's references to prostitution describe the rapper’s views on women, comes amid a backlash to citing rap lyrics in court cases.
Durk's lawyers say the shooting hadn't happened yet when he wrote the lyrics — and they want to know if the feds are suggesting he has magic powers to see the future.
"Twisting creative expression into courtroom evidence isn’t just wrong — it’s a blatant attack on our First Amendment rights," says co-chair Dina LaPolt.
After being arrested in March for violating his probation following an 11-year prison stint, the rapper must now provide the government "with a copy of the lyrics of any song he writes."
Though multiple bills have been passed and proposed to bar prosecutors from using rappers’ lyrics against them, a significant loophole has yet to be addressed.
With a history lesson on hip hop and quotes from Nas and Kendrick Lamar, a federal judge says prosecutors should only rarely cite rap lyrics as evidence.
Using rap lyrics as evidence is controversial, but an Atlanta judge says it's fair game in a looming criminal trial against one of hip hop's biggest stars.
The RAP Act, which would rein in the use of song lyrics in criminal cases, was re-announced at a press conference attended by industry luminaries on Thursday.
In a new open letter, artists, record labels and activists urge prosecutors and legislators to restrict how lyrics can be used in criminal trials.
