Rapper Afroman Prevails in Defamation Lawsuit by Ohio Deputies
US rapper Afroman has won a legal case against seven sheriff's deputies who sued him over songs and videos that mocked them and a police raid on his home.
The deputies forcibly entered the musician's residence in 2022 during a drug and kidnapping investigation. However, the raid did not result in any charges.
Afroman, known for his 2000 hit "Because I Got High," responded by using footage from his home security cameras in viral videos that ridiculed the officers. His video for the song "Lemon Pound Cake" was inspired by a deputy apparently eyeing a cake in his kitchen. Another video included allegations of personal and sexual misconduct directed at the deputies.
The officers filed a defamation lawsuit against him, but after a three-day trial, the jury ruled in favor of Afroman.
"We did it America! Yeah! We did it! Freedom of speech!" Afroman exclaimed outside the Ohio court, surrounded by supporters, in a video posted on social media following the verdict.
Joseph Foreman, Afroman's real name, testified wearing a suit themed with the red, white, and blue US flag.
"The whole raid was a mistake," he told the court. "All of this is their fault.
If they hadn't have wrongly raided my house, there would be no lawsuit. I would not know their names. They wouldn't be on my home surveillance system, and there would be no songs, nothing."
Deputies Seek $3.9 Million in Damages
The deputies sought $3.9 million (£2.9 million) in damages, citing "humiliation, ridicule, mental distress, embarrassment and loss of reputation."
Afroman released songs including one that contained graphic and unfounded claims regarding Deputy Lisa Phillips' sexuality.
Sgt Randy Walters testified that his child had been humiliated at school due to Afroman's posts and had returned home in tears.
The deputies' attorney, Robert Klingler, argued in court that the rapper had "perpetuated lies intentionally" about the officers.
"Even if somebody does something to you that hurts you, that you think is wrong - like a search warrant execution that you think is unfair - that doesn't justify telling intentional lies designed to hurt people," Klingler stated.
In 2023, Afroman released a full album titled "Lemon Pound Cake" about the incident. The title track targeted an officer who, according to the lyrics, "got the munchies because he got high."
The song has amassed 3.6 million views on YouTube, while another parody track, "Will You Help Me Repair My Door," has garnered over nine million views.
Defense Cites Constitutional Free Speech Rights
Afroman told the jury he had a constitutional right to produce artistic and critical content about government officials.
His lawyer, David Osborne, contended that public officials should not be able to use the courts to "silence" criticism merely because it causes them discomfort.
"I'm sorry they feel the way they do, but there's a certain amount that you have to take as a public official, it's part of the duties of the job," Osborne said.
"What chilling effect does that have on the world we live in? You don't like what a public official does and you make a joke, and you're dragged into court?"
