The Recording Academy is celebrating the passage of a new bill in the New State Senate which favours musicians and key players in the creative industry.
Known as ‘S.1738’ and passed on March 27, 2024, this bill is said to be a step towards protecting “musicians’ creative expression”. It is aimed at safeguarding the free speech of artists, which is said to be “a fundamental part of making music.”
The legislation stipulates that a defendant’s artistic works, such as song lyrics, cannot be used as evidence against them in a criminal trial unless it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that these expressions are admissible.
The Recording Academy is credited as an advocate of the ‘S. 1738.’ According to the academy, the passage of ‘S.1738’ is a “forward momentum for free expression in New York, signalling the state senate’s commitment to upholding the fundamental rights of creators to express themselves through their art.”
According to the Academy’s report, there are “nearly 700 cases where lyrics have been used as evidence against hip hop artists, including several dozen in New York.”
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The music industry in New York is said to have contributed to the State’s reputation as a “global hub for creativity and innovation,” as music contributes significant income to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.
“The Recording Academy’s support for this legislation in New York is part of a broader effort to champion similar legislation across the country at the state level,” it said.
The music association said it will continue to work to ensure ‘S.1738’ was signed into law, while intensifying efforts at the federal level for the passage of another bill known as the ‘Restoring Artistic Protection Act,’ (RAP Act).
