Judge permits rap lyrics as evidence in Young Thug trial, with conditions

The judge presiding over the trial of rapper Young Thug in Atlanta, Georgia, has ruled that rap lyrics can be admitted as evidence on a conditional basis. The ruling comes after Young Thug's attorney argued that using lyrics as evidence violates freedom of speech and denies rap music the status of art. The judge allowed 17 sets of lyrics mentioned in the indictment to be admitted, but stated that additional lyrics would need to be reviewed before being included as evidence. The use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal cases is controversial and has sparked a movement to protect black art. Young Thug is facing gang-related charges and has pleaded not guilty. The trial is set to begin later this month.