B.G. Speaks on Toning Down His Lyrics to Avoid Legal Trouble

B.G. has found himself walking a fine line with his music as he works to maintain his freedom while still expressing himself artistically. In an interview with XXL published on March 15, the New Orleans rapper opened up about his new album, Freedom of Speech, and the need to be mindful of his lyrics to avoid any potential legal repercussions.

While he insisted he didn’t completely censor himself, he admitted that he exercised caution to ensure he didn’t put himself at risk of violating the terms of his supervised release. “If the ban that they was trying to put on me would’ve stuck, then there’s definitely a few records on there that I wouldn’t have been able to drop,” B.G. said.

He continued: “And to be honest with you, I still toned it down a little bit because at the end of the day, the prosecutor’s still got the right. If he feel like I’m going too far or if he feel like I’m name-dropping and talking about active cases or real-life situations that could get people hurt, then he could bring me back in front of the judge and ask for me to be violated.

“I still kept it all the way B.G., but also, in the back of my mind, was like, I ain’t gon’ push it too far. You know, you got the United States Government over your shoulder. That’s why my message to these youngsters be, ‘Man, listen, it ain’t what you do, it’s how you do it. At the end of the day, them people listening. Them people watching. So, you got to be mindful of what you put in these songs.’ Rap is on trial.”

B.G. was released from prison in late 2023 after serving over a decade for firearms possession and obstruction of justice. However, his post-prison career has not been without scrutiny. Last year, the U.S. government accused him of glorifying criminal activity in his music, which they argued violated the terms of his probation. Additionally, his collaborations with fellow rappers Boosie Badazz and Gucci Mane—both convicted felons—were also flagged as violations.

A court ruling over the summer determined that B.G. had not violated his probation but imposed a new requirement: he must obtain written approval from his probation officer before working with any convicted felons. Additionally, while United States District Judge Susie Morgan deemed the government’s attempt to censor his lyrics as unconstitutional, she did grant prosecutors the ability to review his lyrics before release.

“To address the legitimate concerns expressed by the Government, the Court will impose a special condition that the Defendant provide the United States Probation Office with a copy of the lyrics of any song he writes, in advance of his production or promotion of such song, and that those lyrics be shared with the Government,” the court document stated.

Prosecutors can challenge any lyrics they find problematic and attempt legal action if they feel B.G.’s content contradicts the goals of his rehabilitation.

Following the ruling, B.G.’s attorney David Z. Chesnoff told XXL: “Mr. Dorsey [B.G.] is pleased that the Honorable Court found he did not violate the terms of his supervision and would not restrict his artistic work by ordering his lyrics be controlled by the Government. He intends on resuming his career consistent with the court order.”

While B.G. is determined to push forward with his music career, his situation serves as yet another example of how the legal system continues to scrutinize hip-hop artists and their lyrics.