Rapper Sergio Kitchens, who goes by “Gunna,” sent out an open letter on his birthday, June 14, from Fulton County jail in Georgia claiming he has been falsely accused. Atlanta prosecutors used Kitchens’ lyrics in an indictment last month charging him, along with rapper Young Thug, and other alleged members of “Young Slime Life” with violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, Billboard reports. Prosecutors called Kitchens’ lyrics that reference violence and other activities “overt acts” as part of the RICO conspiracy he’s charged with.
“My art is not allowed to stand alone as entertainment,” Kitchens wrote in his letter. “I’m not allowed that freedom as a Black Man in America.” Kitchens was denied bail after the judge expressed concern that his release might endanger witnesses in the case, Rolling Stone reported. A trial date has been set for January, 2023.