Dallas rapper Yella Beezy’s legal team is battling to keep his own song lyrics out of his capital murder trial, arguing the words are fictional art that could poison the jury against him.
The high-profile dispute centers on whether prosecutors can use Beezy’s music tracks like “Hitters,” “Keep It in the Streets,” and “On Your Head” as evidence in the killing of fellow Dallas rapper Mo3. The case has drawn national attention as one of the latest flashpoints in the ongoing debate over rap lyrics in criminal courtrooms.
Markies DeAndre Conway, alias Yella Beezy, stands accused of capital murder-for-remuneration in connection with the November 11, 2020, daytime shooting murder of Melvin Abdul Noble Jr., professionally called Mo3. It is charged by prosecutors that Conway plotted a murder for hire in the context of a feud, employing gunmen Kewon Dontrell White and Devin Maurice Brown to commit the murder of Mo3 on Interstate 35E in Oak Cliff. Mo3, aged 28, was pursued and murdered in a traffic.
The grand jury indicted Conway on murder charges in March 2025. Conway has pleaded not guilty and is under house arrest with GPS monitoring, after his bail was lowered to $750,000. His trial is set to start from August 24, 2026, in Dallas County Criminal District Court.
In a pre-trial hearing in the middle of July 2026, the defense brought University of Richmond professor, Dr. Erik Nielson, who is an expert in the use of rap lyrics in criminal cases. Dr. Nielson testified that the rap genre makes use of exaggeration and imaginary tales in its creation process. He took an example of Rick Ross, who had sung about being a drug kingpin although he served as a correctional officer for a brief period.
“Rap lyrics are often fictional,” the defense argues, warning that jurors may treat the music as literal confessions rather than artistic expression, creating unfair prejudice.
Prosecutors, led by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, say the lyrics are only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Detective Eric Barnes testified about the feud’s history, which dates back years and includes prior shootings. Investigators point to witness statements, wiretapped communications, social media posts, surveillance, and physical evidence linking Conway to the alleged plot. Lead investigator testimony highlighted lyrics referencing “putting money on someone’s head” as consistent with the murder-for-hire theory.
The judge has not yet ruled on whether the lyrics will be admitted.
The dispute reflects a broader national conversation. Critics, including coalitions of artists and scholars, argue that using rap lyrics disproportionately affects Black defendants and chills free speech. Similar cases have sparked amicus briefs urging courts to scrutinize such evidence more carefully. Supporters maintain that lyrics can legitimately show motive or intent when tied to other proof.
The judge’s decision on the lyrics could shape how the case unfolds, especially during jury selection. The trial outcome may influence how courts nationwide handle artistic expression in prosecutions.
Yella Beezy is presumed innocent until proven guilty. All allegations remain subject to determination at trial.
