The Decriminalising Artistic Expression Act comes after a number of high-profile trials of rappers raised concerns about freedom of expression and racial bias.

A spokesperson for the Songwriters of North America (SONA) said Californian prosecutors had “used rap lyrics as a convenient way to inject racial bias and confusion into the criminal justice process”.

“This legislation sets up important guardrails that will help courts hold prosecutors accountable and prevent them from criminalising Black and Brown artistic expression,” they added.

Similar legislation is in the works in New York and has also been proposed at a federal level, with the Restoring Artistic Protection (RAP) Act introduced in the US House of Representatives this summer.