Rappers Fight for James Broadnax: First Amendment in Court

0:00It's March 11th. Here's what's happening in Entertainment. Travis Scott and several other rappers are standing up for James Broadnax, a man on death row in Texas. They've signed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court, arguing that his first amendment rights were violated when his rap lyrics were used against him during sentencing for two murders back in 2008. Prosecutors showed the jury 40 pages of Broadnax's lyrics, which had violent themes. This swayed the nearly all-white jury to sentence the black man to death, instead of life without parole. The brief calls this a misuse of rap music, created mostly by minority artists. Other rappers like Killer Mike, Young Thug, and TI have filed their own briefs in support. They say prosecutors shouldn't treat writing gangster rap as proof of future danger, as it unfairly targets a protected form of expression. This isn't the first time artists have pushed back on using rap lyrics in court. In 2015, Killer Mike and others defended a high school student suspended over a rap song.

1:02And in 2019, they backed Jamal Knox in a threats case. In both, the Supreme Court passed on hearing the appeals. Broadnax's execution is set for April 30, so the fight continues as these briefs urge the court to step in and protect rap from being twisted into criminal evidence. The Daily News Now is presented by our sponsor, linked in the description. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone. Lay back and listen, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-P-Lo.com.