Bankroll Freddie’s Rap Lyrics Were Fair Game at Drug and Gun Trial, Court Says
An appeals court has affirmed the Arkansas rapper's conviction and prison sentence.
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that rapper Bankroll Freddie's rap lyrics can be considered relevant evidence in his drug trafficking and gun possession trial. The decision upholds his 12-and-a-half-year prison sentence for four criminal counts. Freddie, whose real name is Freddie Gladney III, was convicted in 2024 based on wiretapped phone calls, evidence from a traffic stop, and clips of his rap lyrics.
The lyrics in question were from his 2021 album "Big Bank," specifically the song "The Last Real Trap Rapper," where he raps about a pound of marijuana and threatening behavior. His legal team argued that the lyrics were not autobiographical but rather showcased an "artist persona" used in the trap rap genre. However, the appellate judges unanimously agreed that the lyrics were "probative to show Gladney's knowledge of terminology that was alleged to be associated with the sale of marijuana."
The judges acknowledged that some lyrics may be prejudicial, but in this case, the evidence was limited to specific phrases relevant to the charges. No full songs or irrelevant lyrics were introduced. The use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials remains controversial, with critics arguing it undermines artistic expression and introduces racial bias into legal proceedings.
Several states have attempted to ban or restrict this practice, but it still holds in federal prosecutions. Other high-profile cases include rapper Lil Durk, whose lyrics are currently being used against him in a federal murder-for-hire trial.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
