Rapper BG ordered to have all future songs approved by US government

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Rapper BG ordered to have all future songs approved by US government

https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jul/02/rapper-bg-government-song-approval

Ruling leads to claims that BG’s right to free speech unfairly challenged in another case putting rap lyrics on trial

Rapper BG ordered to have all future songs approved by US government

A US federal judge has refused prosecutors’ request to prohibit the maker of the 1990s rap classic Bling Bling “from promoting and glorifying future gun violence/murder” in songs and at concerts while on supervised release from prison, saying such a restriction could violate his constitutional right to free speech.

But the artist known as BG must provide the government with copies of any songs he writes moving forward, ahead of their production or promotion – and, if they are deemed to be inconsistent with his goals of rehabilitation, prosecutors could move to toughen the terms governing his supervised release.

He had to return to court in his hometown of New Orleans after prosecutors asked Judge Morgan to require him to refrain “from promoting and glorifying future gun violence/murder” as well as threats against people who cooperate with the police in songs and at concerts, among other requests.