HomeUploadUpload DirectHotlinkRandomAbouttheme toggle
Expand

Rapper Drakeo the Ruler Was Accused of Murder. Prosecutors Used His Music as Proof of His Guilt.

Views:900
@ReasonVids

Rapper Drakeo the Ruler's lyrics were used against him in a murder trial. Now the same strategy is catching on among prosecutors.
------------------
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ReasonTV?sub...
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reason.Magaz...
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/reason

NOTE: An earlier version of this video appeared on our channel on January 10, 2020. We're re-releasing it today because the video wasn't sent to our subscribers.

Reason is the leading source of news, politics, and culture from a libertarian perspective. Go to reason.com for a point of view you won't get from legacy media and old left-right opinion magazines.
----------------

Los Angeles rapper Drakeo the Ruler's violent but clever lyrics about life in South Los Angeles have captured the attention of millions on Soundcloud, YouTube, and Spotify. The Washington Post called his 2017 album "Cold Devil" among "the most mesmerizing and intimate rap albums to ever float out of L.A," and the Los Angeles Times said Drakeo the Ruler was on his way to joining the city's rap elite, along with Snoop Dogg, N.W.A., and Dr. Dre.

Then Drakeo the Ruler, whose real name is Darrell Caldwell, was arrested for the murder of 24-year-old Davion Gregory in 2018. At his July 2019 trial, prosecutors used his lyrics and music videos as evidence of his guilt.

Prosecutors alleged Caldwell was a part of a botched gang plot to kill a rap rival at a party he attended in December 2016. They accused him of then boasting of his crimes in his lyrics and videos. Caldwell pleaded not guilty, maintaining that the group prosecutors alleged was a "gang" was actually his rap crew, Stinc Team.

The jury in Caldwell's trial rejected the prosecution's theory, convicting him on one count of illegal gun possession. But the jury couldn't come to a decision on the charges of criminal gang conspiracy and shooting from a vehicle, so prosecutors opted to retry Caldwell. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life.

Erik Nielson, a professor at the University of Richmond, suspects that Caldwell's lyrics and music videos will be used again in court. Nielson is the co-author, along with law professor Andrea Dennis, of Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America, which chronicles the growing use of rap lyrics and videos by prosecutors in criminal proceedings.

"I think many people find it difficult to imagine that these young men are doing something complex, sophisticated that could be considered literary, artistic," Nielson told Reason. "It's much easier to say, 'Oh, they're just rapping about their lives.'"

Nielson says that when their music is used against them, rappers aren't getting a fair shake. Juries generally don't possess a deep understanding of rap's history, use of figurative language, hyperbole, and wordplay. Since the 1990s, however, prosecutors have found that using rap lyrics as evidence can be an effective way of securing convictions. The strategy caught on with the rise of social media, as more amateur rappers shared their work online.

Nielson's legal testimony and writings about the misuse of rap in criminal proceedings have brought more attention to the issue. In March 2019, he partnered with Grammy Award-winning rapper Killer Mike in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of a Pittsburgh rapper named Jamal Knox, who was sent to prison for making terroristic threats to police officers in a song. The case would have answered the question of whether Knox's lyrics constituted a true threat, or a threat that falls outside of First Amendment protection. The high court declined to hear the case and Knox, having served his time, still has a terroristic threat conviction on his record. Caldwell's trial is expected to begin in March. He's tweeting from jail under the handle @IamMRMOSELY.

Produced by Paul Detrick. Shot by Meredith Bragg and Regan Taylor.

Photos: Eazy-E; Credit: PYMCAUIG Universal Images Group/Newscom; N.W.A; Credit: PYMCAUIG Universal Images Group/Newscom; N.W.A Mc Ren wearing LA Raiders cap; Credit: PYMCAUIG Universal Images Group/Newscom; N.W.A Mc Ren wearing LA Raiders cap; Credit: PYMCAUIG Universal Images Group/Newscom; Snoop Dogg; Credit: TBM/United Archives/Newscom; Paper; Credit: ID 128613452 © Kasipat | Dreamstime.com; Dot Paper; Credit: ID 151141247 © Ben Stevens | Dreamstime.com; TV Screen; Credit: ID 16618060 © Kiscso | Dreamstime.com; Newsprint; Credit: ID 118766441 © Olgers1 | Dreamstime.com; Newsprint; Credit: ID 110767642 © Vnikitenko | Dreamstime.com; Record store; Credit: PYMCAUIG Universal Images Group/Newscom; Killer Mike; Credit: Gonzales Photo/Kasper Maansson/Gonzales Photo/Avalon/Newscom; Killer Mike; Credit: Gonzales Photo/Samy Khabthani/Gonzales Photo/Avalon/Newscom; Rapper; Credit: Photo 69900646 © Christian Bertrand - Dreamstime.com; Photo of handcuffs; Credit: Photo 48459889 © Shaffandi - Dreamstime.com

libertarian
,
reason magazine
,
reason.com
,
reason.tv
,
reasontv
,
drakeotheruler
,
drakeo
,
drakeo the ruler
,
nwa
,
rap
    Thumbnail for Families Ask the Supreme Court to Stop Discrimination Against Religious Schools13:55
    Families Ask the Supreme Court to Stop Discrimination Against Religious Schools
    ReasonVids
    824 views
    Thumbnail for The Iranian Coup that Led to 67 Years of Reckless Intervention4:18
    The Iranian Coup that Led to 67 Years of Reckless Intervention
    ReasonVids
    930 views
    Thumbnail for 'Administrative State is THE Leading Threat to Civil Liberties of Our Era.'23:36
    'Administrative State is THE Leading Threat to Civil Liberties of Our Era.'
    ReasonVids
    808 views
    Thumbnail for Liberal in Bed, Conservative in the Head: Sophie B. Hawkins, Breitbart, & Steele, @ Big Gay Party6:48
    Liberal in Bed, Conservative in the Head: Sophie B. Hawkins, Breitbart, & Steele, @ Big Gay Party
    ReasonVids
    1045 views
    Thumbnail for So, I was invading in Elden Ring yesterday0:44
    So, I was invading in Elden Ring yesterday
    bestofvoatxyz
    704 views
    Thumbnail for Flyover beauties0:38
    Flyover beauties
    bestofvoatxyz
    378 views
    Thumbnail for Bayer Leverkusen have our studio going wild! 😅 | CBS Sports Golazo0:15
    Bayer Leverkusen have our studio going wild! 😅 | CBS Sports Golazo
    invidious
    283 views
    Thumbnail for Christmas Came Late: Opening Your Gifts | Live From The Lair24:21
    Christmas Came Late: Opening Your Gifts | Live From The Lair
    Terrence Popp
    1762 views
    Thumbnail for Remembering the Victims of Communism4:06
    Remembering the Victims of Communism
    ReasonVids
    964 views
    Thumbnail for Gov. Gary Johnson: Cut Spending by 43% - and Cut Social Issues from GOP Agenda3:53
    Gov. Gary Johnson: Cut Spending by 43% - and Cut Social Issues from GOP Agenda
    ReasonVids
    922 views
    Thumbnail for There's a reason Western media never put subtitles on Hitler's speeches, so that he just sounds like a big anti-semitic meanie2:19
    There's a reason Western media never put subtitles on Hitler's speeches, so that he just sounds like a big anti-semitic meanie
    bestofupgoat
    60 views
    Thumbnail for Muslims in Canada make a White kid kneel then beat him.0:57
    Muslims in Canada make a White kid kneel then beat him.
    bestofupgoat
    521 views
    Thumbnail for Author Jeremy Lott on William F. Buckley Jr.'s Faith and Politics9:50
    Author Jeremy Lott on William F. Buckley Jr.'s Faith and Politics
    ReasonVids
    863 views
    Thumbnail for Why Americans Are Suckers for Quick Fixes From Psychologists5:01
    Why Americans Are Suckers for Quick Fixes From Psychologists
    ReasonVids
    915 views
    Thumbnail for AI Vs Human Drone Race - Zurich University | BMSWEB18:36
    AI Vs Human Drone Race - Zurich University | BMSWEB
    invidious
    419 views
    Thumbnail for WATCH LIVE: Minnesota Supreme Court hears lawsuit to keep Trump off presidential ballot | PBS NewsHour1:40:40
    WATCH LIVE: Minnesota Supreme Court hears lawsuit to keep Trump off presidential ballot | PBS NewsHour
    invidious
    348 views
    Thumbnail for Born into a construct1:08:41
    Born into a construct
    AOUisgay
    412 views
    Thumbnail for Prying Open Government: The Sunlight Foundation's Fight for Transparency8:44
    Prying Open Government: The Sunlight Foundation's Fight for Transparency
    ReasonVids
    881 views
    Thumbnail for 3 Reasons Conservatives Should Cut Defense Spending Now!2:53
    3 Reasons Conservatives Should Cut Defense Spending Now!
    ReasonVids
    983 views
    Thumbnail for Will The Supreme Court End New York's Rent Control Laws?2:34
    Will The Supreme Court End New York's Rent Control Laws?
    ReasonVids
    924 views
    Thumbnail for Protestors Attempt to Shutdown NBA Game Attended by Prince William and Duchess Kate0:50
    Protestors Attempt to Shutdown NBA Game Attended by Prince William and Duchess Kate
    ReasonVids
    927 views
    Thumbnail for Taking on Milwaukee's Taxi Cartel2:45
    Taking on Milwaukee's Taxi Cartel
    IJvids
    928 views
    Thumbnail for Law for Non-Lawyers – Standards of Review36:29
    Law for Non-Lawyers – Standards of Review
    IJvids
    930 views
    Thumbnail for Want Equity? Punish White People.9:17
    Want Equity? Punish White People.
    AmericanRenaissance
    768 views
    Thumbnail for Pyramid Bass Pro Shop0:57
    Pyramid Bass Pro Shop
    bestofvoatxyz
    536 views

points

Permalink
Reply
libertarian
,
reason magazine
,
reason.com
,
reason.tv
,
reasontv
,
drakeotheruler
,
drakeo
,
drakeo the ruler
,
nwa
,
rap
TOS  •  Add Keywords  •  Donate  •   Analytics  •   DMCA  •   Puzzle