American rapper Travis Scott has voiced support for a Texas death row inmate whose rap lyrics were used as evidence during sentencing, arguing that the practice violates constitutional protections.
The case involves James Broadnax, who was 19 when prosecutors said he killed two men during a robbery in Garland, Texas. In 2009, a jury convicted Broadnax of double murder and sentenced him to death.
During the sentencing phase of the trial, prosecutors introduced Broadnax’s handwritten rap lyrics as evidence after the conviction had already been secured. Reports indicate that the nearly all-white jury reviewed about 40 pages of lyrics while deciding whether he should receive the death penalty.
Prosecutors argued that the lyrics — which referenced robbery, violence and drug dealing — showed Broadnax posed an ongoing danger to society and was likely to commit further crimes in the future. Based on that argument, the jury imposed the death sentence.
Broadnax is currently scheduled to be executed on April 30, but his legal team has asked the Supreme Court of the United States to halt the execution and review the case.
An amicus brief supporting Broadnax was filed by Travis Scott’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, arguing that using rap lyrics as evidence of future violence effectively punishes artistic expression.
According to the filing, prosecutors suggested Broadnax would remain dangerous simply because he performed what they described as “gangster rap,” an argument the brief says amounts to an unconstitutional penalty based on the content of music.
The brief also warned that removing rap lyrics from their artistic context risks criminalising the entire genre by treating creative expression as literal evidence of criminal intent.
Several prominent hip-hop artists have also supported the appeal, including T.I., Young Thug, Killer Mike and Fat Joe, who joined legal briefs urging the court to reconsider the use of lyrics as courtroom evidence.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will hear the case or pause the scheduled execution.
