It would be a shame if LSUPD arrested Weezer when they take the stage tonight for Groovin’ on the Grounds. But it could happen — rapper Antwain Steward was thrown in jail for murder because of his rap lyrics.
It’s no secret that musicians use illegal drugs. In fact, Weezer wrote a song titled “We Are All On Drugs,” and so far, no one has tried to get them arrested.
But when Steward wrote a murder confession into a song, the Newport News Police in Virginia took no time at all to arrest him, citing his lyrics in their affidavit.
They had no suspects, no murder weapons, no witnesses to the crime. All they had were lyrics sung in a YouTube video.

“But nobody saw when I [expletive] smoked him,” Twain Gotti, Steward’s rap persona said in the song “Ride Out.” ”Roped him, sharpened up the shank, then I poked him, 357 Smith and Wesson beam scoped him.”
Many who oppose the use of lyrics as evidence are claiming it is his freedom of speech, and artistic expression should not be used against him. And I stand by that, but his charges should be dropped for reasons more than the first amendment.
Before we mistake Gotti’s words for a confession, let’s think about the role rappers and musicians assume as lyricists. Those who oppose Steward’s charges feel the lyrics are being used unfairly and manipulatively, as most judges and jury members would not take into account that many rappers assume fictional and over-the-top personas.
Did the police bust down Trinidad James’s door when he admitted to millions that he “popped a molly” and was sweating? No.
No one gave a second thought to Ke$ha when she declared she was “taking over, no one’s getting out, this place’s about to blow.” And a confession like that in court would warrant terrorism.

When you’re an artist, especially at the celebrity level, your public image is your job. We don’t just buy Kanye’s albums. We buy Yeezus. And we do so with the understanding that Yeezus is a fictional character Kanye plays.
In some cases, like Kanye/Yeezus, there is a separate persona created by the artist. But the same rules should apply to public figures without fictional egos going by separate names.
Take Zach Mettenberger, for example. He pleaded guilty to sexual battery in 2010, after a regretful spring break in southern Georgia.
But we boasted him up on our shoulders for 13 games and cheered him on for 10 victories. Should we feel guilty because we cheered for a sex offender?
Supporting a person does not mean a blanket approval for all their personal actions. And a person’s accomplishments should not be tainted because of their regretful actions.
It’s important to note that yes, Steward could very well have been the person who shot and killed two individuals in 2007. But unless there’s substantial evidence other than lyrics that Twain Gotti sang in a YouTube video, there is no reason for him to be sitting in jail.
So until the murder weapon surfaces or Steward publicly confesses, I’m calling for #FreeGotti.
Jana King is a 19-year-old communication studies sophomore from Ponchatoula, La.