RAP Act to Protect Artists' Lyrics Reintroduced in Congress

The bill aims to stop a legal tactic disproportionately affecting rap artists.

Congressman Hank Johnson (D-CA) and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) have reintroduced the Restoring Artist Protection Act (RAP Act), which would prevent artists’ lyrics and creative works being used as evidence against them in court.

Backstory:

As per the Representatives’ press release, as of June 2025 researchers have identified more than 820 instances of creative works being used in criminal trials.
These cases often involve the rap genre, with a defendant’s lyrics being used as literal confession, despite the genre’s reputation for exaggeration, braggadocio, and playfulness.
The high-profile case against Young Thug, who was charged with running a criminal organization under RICO laws, is a recent example of a judge ruling that specific lyrics from the rapper and other YSL artists could be used as evidence.
As the media statement points out: “Freddie Mercury did not confess to having ‘just killed a man’ by putting ‘a gun against his head’ and pulling the trigger. Bob Marley did not confess to having shot a sheriff. And Johnny Cash did not confess to shooting ‘a man in Reno, just to watch him die.’”

Second time lucky:

Rep. Johnson and New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman first introduced the RAP Act in Congress in 2022.
The bill was never brought to a vote on the floor of the House.

Backers:

The RAP Act has received support from organizations such as the Recording Academy, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, Live Nation Entertainment and more. The full list is here.

What they said:

Harvey Mason jr., CEO, Recording Academy: “Weaponizing lyrics or other creative works in court is a harmful tactic that stifles artistic expression and undermines the voices of not just musicians, but all who create and shape culture.”
He adds: “With the reintroduction of the RAP Act, we continue to build momentum for ending this unjust practice. The Recording Academy is grateful to our Congressional partners, Representatives Johnson and Kamlager-Dove, for their leadership on an issue that poses real harm to creators in music and beyond.”

Backstory:

As per the Representatives’ press release, as of June 2025 researchers have identified more than 820 instances of creative works being used in criminal trials.
These cases often involve the rap genre, with a defendant’s lyrics being used as literal confession, despite the genre’s reputation for exaggeration, braggadocio, and playfulness.
The high-profile case against Young Thug, who was charged with running a criminal organization under RICO laws, is a recent example of a judge ruling that specific lyrics from the rapper and other YSL artists could be used as evidence.
As the media statement points out: “Freddie Mercury did not confess to having ‘just killed a man’ by putting ‘a gun against his head’ and pulling the trigger. Bob Marley did not confess to having shot a sheriff. And Johnny Cash did not confess to shooting ‘a man in Reno, just to watch him die.’”

Second time lucky:

Rep. Johnson and New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman first introduced the RAP Act in Congress in 2022.
The bill was never brought to a vote on the floor of the House.

Backers:

The RAP Act has received support from organizations such as the Recording Academy, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, Live Nation Entertainment and more. The full list is here.

What they said:

Harvey Mason jr., CEO, Recording Academy: “Weaponizing lyrics or other creative works in court is a harmful tactic that stifles artistic expression and undermines the voices of not just musicians, but all who create and shape culture.”
He adds: “With the reintroduction of the RAP Act, we continue to build momentum for ending this unjust practice. The Recording Academy is grateful to our Congressional partners, Representatives Johnson and Kamlager-Dove, for their leadership on an issue that poses real harm to creators in music and beyond.”

Backstory:

As per the Representatives’ press release, as of June 2025 researchers have identified more than 820 instances of creative works being used in criminal trials.
These cases often involve the rap genre, with a defendant’s lyrics being used as literal confession, despite the genre’s reputation for exaggeration, braggadocio, and playfulness.
The high-profile case against Young Thug, who was charged with running a criminal organization under RICO laws, is a recent example of a judge ruling that specific lyrics from the rapper and other YSL artists could be used as evidence.
As the media statement points out: “Freddie Mercury did not confess to having ‘just killed a man’ by putting ‘a gun against his head’ and pulling the trigger. Bob Marley did not confess to having shot a sheriff. And Johnny Cash did not confess to shooting ‘a man in Reno, just to watch him die.’”

Second time lucky:

Rep. Johnson and New York Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman first introduced the RAP Act in Congress in 2022.
The bill was never brought to a vote on the floor of the House.

Backers:

The RAP Act has received support from organizations such as the Recording Academy, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Atlantic Records, Universal Music Group, Live Nation Entertainment and more. The full list is here.

What they said:

Harvey Mason jr., CEO, Recording Academy: “Weaponizing lyrics or other creative works in court is a harmful tactic that stifles artistic expression and undermines the voices of not just musicians, but all who create and shape culture.”
He adds: “With the reintroduction of the RAP Act, we continue to build momentum for ending this unjust practice. The Recording Academy is grateful to our Congressional partners, Representatives Johnson and Kamlager-Dove, for their leadership on an issue that poses real harm to creators in music and beyond.”