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YoungBoy Never Broke Again has scored a minor victory at the beginning of his trial that sets precedent all rappers and their lawyers will remember going forward.
According to a report XXL published on Tuesday, July 12, Judge R. Gary Klausner of the Central District of California ruled that the rapper's lyrics cannot be used against him during the trial. The ruling comes weeks after the government tried to use lyrics from songs like "Gunsmoke" off his 2020 album Still Flexin, Still Steppin and "Life Support" from last year's Sincerly, Kentrell album to try and link him to the gun possession charge he faces.
Prosecutors attempted to use lyrics simply because both songs reference the FN .45 caliber pistol he was caught with last year. YoungBoy, born Kentrell Gaulden, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on March 22, 2021 after they made an attempt to apprehend him for an outstanding federal warrant. Police tried to pull him over after he left his home in L.A. but the rapper reportedly led them on a brief chase before the rapper continued the chase on foot.
YoungBoy was discovered by police in helicopters and K-9 dogs later on while the gun was found in the backseat floorboard of the Maybach he was driving. He was taken into custody by the FBI and was later granted bond in California but a judge in Louisiana ordered him to remain behind bars due to another gun case in Baton Rouge. In October 2021, the rapper was granted bond in Louisiana and place on house arrest.
The judge's recent decision is a victory for not just YoungBoy Never Broke Again, but for other artists like Young Thug and Gunna, who are currently facing numerous charges from their RICO case. Prosecutors in their cases plan to use lyrics from their songs to support the charges against the rappers. In New York, the "Rap Lyrics on Trial" bill was passed in House, which prevents police and prosecutors from charging rap artists with crimes based on their song lyrics. However, the bill still needs to be passed in the NY State Assembly before it can be enacted into law.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again's trial is expected to last for four days. He faces years in prison if he's convicted in California and Louisiana.