Baller Alert
  • Home
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • The Baller Alert Show
    • Baller Alert Lists
    • Baller Alert Exclusives
    • Let Me Liv
    • Ballerific Music
    • That’s Baller
    • Fashion
    • Metaverse
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Op-Ed
    • Travel
    • Health
  • EVENTS
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • About
  • Political News
  • en español
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • The Baller Alert Show
    • Baller Alert Lists
    • Baller Alert Exclusives
    • Let Me Liv
    • Ballerific Music
    • That’s Baller
    • Fashion
    • Metaverse
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Op-Ed
    • Travel
    • Health
  • EVENTS
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • About
  • Political News
  • en español
No Result
View All Result
Baller Alert
No Result
View All Result

Chance the Rapper, 21 Savage, Meek Mill & More Rally Behind Rapper Imprisoned Over Song Lyrics

by Baller Alert Staff
March 7, 2019
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Chance The Rapper on Quibi
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Hip-hop is taking another stand to defend its own.

Jamal Knox was only 19-years-old when he was sentenced to prison in 2014 over his controversial lyrics. The courts said his “let’s kill these cops cause they don’t do us no good” verse on his song, “Fuck The Police,” was “terroristic” and charged him for making threats and witness intimidation. As a result, Knox was sentenced to 2-6 years, but that didn’t stop his lawyers’ fight for his freedom.

The team appealed the sentence and argued that the punishment violated their client’s First Amendment right (freedom of speech). But now, after the rapper’s appeal was denied, some of the biggest names in hip-hop have come forward to help.

The New York Times reported Chance the Rapper, Meek Mill, 21 Savage, Killer Mike, Yo Gotti, and Fat Joe have filed a brief to push Knox’s First Amendment argument. According to reports, the rappers respectfully checked the judges, who are well up in age, by explaining their misinterpretation of rap because of their disconnect. 

“A person unfamiliar with what today is the nation’s most dominant musical genre, or one who hears music through the auditory lens of older genres such as jazz, country or symphony may mistakenly interpret a rap song as a true threat of violence.”

They even went on to call the rapper’s work “poetry” that “is not intended to be taken literally.” Basically, it’s not threatening since the average listener would understand the casual meaning behind what was said, especially since it is not abnormal for people to “create a rap persona” when making music.

In Knox’s initial trial, Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor didn’t see the “art” behind the rhymes. He stated, “The song’s lyrics express hatred toward the Pittsburgh police. As well, they contain descriptions of killing police informants and police officers. They do not include political, social or academic commentary, nor are they facially satirical or ironic.”

Chance The Rapper and more

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Discover more from Baller Alert

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Tags: Chance The Rapper

Related Posts

Fyre Festival Brand Sold on eBay for $245,300 After Wild Bidding War
News

Fyre Festival Brand Sold on eBay for $245,300 After Wild Bidding War

July 15, 2025

Fyre Festival’s brand rights, from its IP and trademarks to its social media handles, were auctioned off on eBay this...

nicki minaj, tde punch, sza
Entertainment

Nicki Minaj Lights Up TDE President Punch On X: Dubs Him “Minus 30 Million,” and SZA Catches A Stray

July 15, 2025

Nicki Minaj is making it clear: she’s tired of being silent. Posted to her official X account, the rap icon...

Columbus Short Reveals Why He Named His Son After Denzel Washington
News

Columbus Short and Wife Aida Abramyan Granted Mutual Restraining Orders After Explosive Allegations

July 15, 2025

The ongoing turmoil between actor Columbus Short and his wife, Aida Abramyan-Short, has reached a breaking point, with both parties...

The Internet is Torn Over Trey Songz's Racy Meet-And-Greets
News

Trey Songz Blames Media After Alleged Assault on Photographer Outside New York Club

July 15, 2025

Trey Songz is under investigation after a violent encounter was reported outside a New York nightclub left a photographer hospitalized....

Next Post
sHeroes Barbies

Yara Shahidi, Naomi Osaka And More To Be Honored As “Shero” Barbies

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Baller News

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

* indicates required

Follow Us

Subscribe to Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

© Copyright 2024, Baller Alert Inc. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • The Baller Alert Show
    • Baller Alert Lists
    • Baller Alert Exclusives
    • Let Me Liv
    • Ballerific Music
    • That’s Baller
    • Fashion
    • Metaverse
    • Tech
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports
    • Op-Ed
    • Travel
    • Health
  • EVENTS
  • Videos
  • Shop
  • About
  • Political News
  • en español
%d