Hulu is set to release a new documentary titled “Rap Trap: Hip-Hop on Trial” on February 23rd. The documentary, produced by ABC News Studios, will explore the ongoing RICO case against Atlanta-based collective YSL, including members Young Thug and Gunna. The case has sparked a debate about the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials.
The hour-long documentary will feature interviews with various artists, including Fat Joe, Killer Mike, and will.i.am. It will also highlight the legal troubles of former No Limit rapper McKinley “Mac” Phipps Jr., who served 21 years in prison for a crime he claims he did not commit. The documentary will explore how his rap lyrics were used against him to convict him of manslaughter.
The YSL RICO case centers around alleged criminal activities of the collective, with prosecutors claiming that the lyrics of Thug and Gunna’s songs have been used to preserve, protect, and enhance the reputation, power, and territory of the enterprise. The case has been ongoing, with Thug’s lawyer claiming potential juror misconduct and Thug and one of his co-defendants being accused of exchanging drugs during court proceedings.
The documentary will shine a light on the challenges faced by rap artists who find themselves in legal trouble, with Killer Mike stating in the trailer that “Rap music is judged unlike any other genre like Black people are judged unlike any other people.” The film will offer a unique perspective on the case and the wider debate around the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials.
