Another Rapper Has His Own Rap Lyrics Used Against Him

You may have heard about the charges that have been brought against rapper Tiny Doo (real name Brandon Duncan) in San Diego, Calif. Duncan is accused of promoting murders carried out by a criminal street gang in his album "No Safety," which features a picture of a gun and bullets on the cover. From the LA Times:

Prosecutors say that shows that Duncan fits the legal definition of a gang member who "willfully promotes, furthers, or assists in any felonious criminal conduct by members of that gang."

Duncan's lawyer, Brian Watkins, disagrees:

The evidence against Duncan, Watkins said, consists of his rap album and pictures on a social media page of him and several other defendants. The latter is not surprising, he said, given the fact Duncan grew up in San Diego in a neighborhood with gang members.

Duncan's album does not encourage violence, Watkins said.

"It's no different than Snoop Dogg or Tupac," he said. "It's telling the story of street life," with gritty details and obscenity-filled language.

Duncan is just the latest rapper to have his music used against him in a criminal proceeding, a troubling trend that only seems to be increasing across the country. Reason TV featured the story of Deandre Mitchell (Rap name is Laz Tha Boy) and the grand jury proceeding that featured three of his rap videos and no physical evidence he had committed two acts of attempted murder. For more watch Artist or Killer? Why Rap is on Trial.