The Arrests of Young Thug and Gunna Sparks “Protect Black Art” Petition
posted by Jamilyn Wallace | November 14, 2022 | In Arts and CultureIn May 2022, Atlanta rappers Young Thug and Gunna were arrested for charges involving gang activity and RICO Act violations, along with 27 other people associated with the criminal street gang, YSL a.k.a Young Slime Life, according to Billboard.
Young Thug is the founder of his record label YSL, Young Stoner Life, which is being made out to be connected to the gang. The prosecution is claiming in the 56-count indictment that they were involved in crimes including murder, theft, armed robbery, and numerous others.
Gunna is charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute and was denied bond twice, according to Rolling Stone. Young Thug was also denied bond, and the pair will have to stay in Fulton County Jail until their trial in January 2023.
This turn of events has struck not only the hip hop community, but the entire music industry, especially after it was revealed that the charges are based off of lyrics in their music. Because of that, a petition accompanied by a letter was put out this past June by 300 CEO-founder, Kevin Liles, and Atlantic Records COO, Julie Greenwald, according to Music Week.
In the letter, they are calling for change when it comes to artists being able to express themselves through music without penalty. They are also encouraging the government to pass bills limiting the use of rap lyrics as evidence in court.
The letter read: “The use of lyrics against artists in this way is un-American and simply wrong… beyond the obvious disregard for free speech and creative expression protected by the First Amendment, this racially targeted practice punishes already marginalized communities and their stories of family, struggle, survival, and triumph.”
On November 1, the letter was published in the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. There have been over 65,000 signatures on the petition, including support from heavy hitters across the music industry, such as Drake, 21 Savage, Jay-Z, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, and so many others.
Gunna and Young Thug have both made statements from jail.
“I always use my music as a form of artistic expression, and I see now that Black artists and rappers don’t have that freedom,” said Young Thug in a statement he made in a prerecorded video shown at Hot 97’s Summer Jam. He also encouraged the public to sign the petition.
Gunna wrote a letter that was posted on his Instagram page, saying that he is innocent and has been falsely accused.
The caption under the post read “…Just a bed and a shower, no windows, just walls. Can’t see or talk to anyone…I was raised to fight fire with water, even though my country’s amendments have failed me! PROTECT BLACK ART!”
Photo courtesy of Dr Pitch
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