NEWSOM SIGNS BILL PROTECTING RAP ARTISTS' LYRICS

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act, the first bill in the nation to prevent artists’ creative expression—specifically, rap lyrics—from being used against them by prosecutors. AB 2799 was passed unanimously by the California State Senate before hitting Newsom's desk.

“Artists of all kinds should be able to create without the fear of unfair and prejudicial prosecution,” the governor said in a statement. “California’s culture and entertainment industry set trends around the world and it’s fitting that our state is taking a nation-leading role to protect creative expression and ensure that artists are not criminalized under biased policies.”

Said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, “Today we celebrate an important victory for music creators in the state of California. Silencing any genre or form of artistic expression is a violation against all music people. The history that’s been made in California today will help pave the way forward in the fight to protect creative freedom nationwide. We extend our gratitude to Assemblymember [Reggie] Jones-Sawyer for his leadership on this issue and to Governor Newsom for recognizing the importance of protecting artistry and signing the act into law.”

RIAA Chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier commented: “Today we applaud Governor Newsom on this pivotal decision that will allow all creators to express themselves and follow their artistic vision without barriers of prejudice. The RIAA has been a vocal advocate for AB 2799 because all too often rap and hip-hop artists have suffered for the same kind of hyperbole and imagery other genres routinely use without consequence. With the signing into law of the California rap lyrics bill, voices that may have been stifled are now fully open to expression."

Pictured above are: top (l-r) Newsom, Meek Mill and Jones-Sawyer; second row (l-r) 300 boss Kevin Liles, Ty Dolla $ign and E-40; third row (l-r) YG, Killer Mike and Mason; and bottom (l-r) Too Short and Tyga.

CA is the 1st state to ensure creative content - like lyrics & music videos - can't be used against artists in court without judicial review.

Thanks, @JonesSawyerAD59 for your work & @yg @KillerMike @tydollasign @Tyga @MeekMill @E40 @TooShort for your dedication to the cause. pic.twitter.com/cpOSCiHh0X

— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) September 30, 2022