Lawyer for YSL defendant on judge's decision to permit some rap lyrics in RICO trial

Rapper Young Thug performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Aug. 1, 2021, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville recently ruled rap lyrics could be allowed as evidence in the trial of alleged Young Slime Life (YSL) Gang members, including Grammy winner Young Thug, who was indicted in 2022.

The decision has been criticized as a double standard by members of the music industry and others.

Glanville ruled some lyrics may be permitted if they can be linked to the RICO Act and gang activity charges.

Attorney Doug Weinstein is a lawyer with the Abt Law Firm in Atlanta who represents Deamonte Kendrick, known as rapper Yak Gotti.

When he joined “All Things Considered,” Weinstein argued there’s a need to distinguish artistic expression from real life.

The trial begins on Nov. 27.

Christopher Alston contributed to this report.