Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis recently said, “If you admit your crimes over a beat, I’m gonna use it,” regarding indicting Atlanta rappers who commit crimes.
Willis made the statement at a press conference in Atlanta on Aug. 29, where she responded to backlash regarding her previous announcement about prosecuting rappers who promote criminality in their lyrics. Most recently, Atlanta’s Drug Rich Members Gang was reportedly involved in a new RICO case.
“What are your specific responses to the criticism that you’re specifically targeting Atlanta’s hip-hop community through these lyrics?” one reporter asked the Fulton County DA.
“I’m not targeting anyone,” Willis fired back. “However, you do not get to commit crimes in my county and then decide to brag on it – which you do that as a form of intimidation and to further the gang – and not be held responsible.”
She continued, insisting that artists “do not get to commit crimes” in her county and “brag on it.”
“However, you do not get to commit crimes in my county and then decide to brag on it – which you do that as a form of intimidation and to further the gang – and not be held responsible.”
Willis drove her point home by bringing up lyrics from a rap song.
“One of the lyrics used in this indictment – just one of the lyrics – says, ‘Me and my crew striking out / Striking in all black / Send me the drop, we’ll kick in the house / If we steal a car, we gon’ take off the tag.’ Well, they’re kicking in doors, committing home invasions, and now I’m using those lyrics that they’re admitting to doing that.”
She then promised to continue using rap lyrics as a way to solve crimes. “People can continue to be angry about it.”
The DA concluded her statement by encouraging anyone who disagreed with her to leave Fulton County.
“I have some legal advice: don’t confess to crimes on rap lyrics if you do not want them used. Or at least get out of my county! If you decide to admit your crimes over a beat, I’m gon’ use it…We are working together, we are working collaboratively, and we have a message! And that is, get out of this county, or expect to start seeing sentences that go life plus, because I am not going to negotiate with gang members, I am not going to allow pleas. We are going to find you, we are going to convict you, and we’re gonna send you to prison for the rest of your days, and I’m not apologizing for that.”
