The latest track and music video by Jacksonville recording artist Yungeen Ace, a longtime rival of the late Julio Foolio, could be used as evidence in the ongoing Foolio murder investigation, according to popular Criminal Lawyer Bruce Rivers.
Julio Foolio, or simply Foolio, was shot and killed on Sunday (June 23), his 26th birthday, in Tampa, Florida. On Monday (June 24), Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw guaranteed that arrests in the shooting death of Foolio would be made soon.
After Foolio’s death, Yungeen Ace released a diss track and music video about his rival entitled “Do It.” Released on the same day as his rival’s death, the track alludes to Ace orchestrating a hit on his opposition, which sparked speculation of his possible involvement in the shooting.
Known for reviewing and providing his legal expertise in various hip-hop-related court cases on his YouTube account, Bruce Rivers shared that Ace’s latest video, alongside the timing of its release, could be used as evidence in the open investigation. Rivers previously reviewed popular diss tracks Yungeen Ace’s “Who I Smoke?” and Foolio’s “When I See You.”
In “Do It,” Yungeen Ace raps, “Fellas got the lo / and I told’em do it.”
The Criminal Lawyer, with 1.8 million YouTube subscribers, shared that the line in the song would possibly link Ace to the death and result in murder charges. He also references current cases using rap lyrics such as Young Thug and YNW Melly.
“Did you hear what he just said?” said Rivers while reviewing the “Do It” music video, “if they can link Yungeen Ace to any kind of case related to this, this is coming into evidence now we’re going to have more killings because it’s just going to fuel it even more if you dance close to the Sun you’re going to get f*ckin’ burned.”
Examining Foolio’s crime scene footage, Rivers continued: “Look at that car that is premeditated first-degree murder, no question about it, but I mean, and then admitting to crimes online you watch all this stuff is going to come out we’re seeing it in Young Thug’s case where they’re using his own lyrics against him in a criminal trial.”
Various music executives and artists, such as Papoose, Kevin Liles, Torae, and Mysonne, have protested using rap lyrics in court and sought bills to prevent it. They argue that using lyrics in criminal cases violates First Amendment rights to free speech and expression. However, as Rivers pointed out, authorities might justify their use in court if lyrics detail specific incidents.
Yungeen Ace has not been charged or identified as a person of interest.