Lawyers and lawmakers share their experiences.
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There are efforts to address this.
New York drill, as told by …
19 artists who define the scene.
The tragedy of Jayquan McKenley.
The sound itself.
The essential tracks.
.Lawyers and lawmakers.
Adam Lustberg, attorney forFivio Foreign, on witnessing a spike in police attention on rappers.
The City of Gods rapper from Brooklyn wasarrestedon gun charges in New Jersey in April 2021.
Naturally, that draws the attention and suspicion of law enforcement.
James Kousouros, attorney forCasanova, on drill rap and gang busts.
The difference is taking an art form in as evidence.
I do think that Casanovas notoriety as a rapper made him a more juicy target for the government.
Jeffrey Lichtman, attorney forKay Flock, on artistry, admission of guilt, and Mayor Adams.
The Shake It rapper from the Bronx is currentlychargedwith fatally shooting a man outside a barbershop.
But understand that musicians are not confessing with a hot lamp over their head.
Just because its part of their artistry doesnt mean its a confession.
Mayor Adams has no idea what hes talking about with regard to this.
The alleged rampant rise in crime since he took office?
Im sure itsallbecause of the drill rappers and not because hes out seven nights a week.
Why point the finger at yourself when you might point the finger at others?
Javier Solano, lawyer forRowdy Rebel, on prosecutors using lyrics against him.
He wasreleasedfrom prison in early 2021.
It happened in Rowdys case.
A large element of hip-hop is stream of consciousness or freestyling.
But some hip-hop lyrics use ghostwriters, individuals who write songs for other people.
How are we to know what the artists present state of mind is?
Was that the artist indicating something, or was that who wrote the lyrics for them?
We want safe streets.
We also want the First Amendment to keep artistry safe.
Otherwise, they cant come into evidence.
He, too, was released from prison in early 2021.
With the New York bill, we want to keep the jury looking for the facts and the truth.
This country has a history of racial bias, and that works its way through the system.
Its concerning that this particular genre may be used to unfairly treat Black people in the system.
Interviews have been condensed and edited.
