Georgia Teen Faces Terroristic Threat Charge Over Diss Track After Football Field Altercation

Cortez Lyles, 18, was charged after posting a rap with aggressive lyrics targeting a teammate, raising questions about artistic expression and free speech.

• Cortez Lyles, a high school senior in Georgia, was charged with making a terroristic threat after releasing a diss track aimed at a teammate following a physical altercation.
• The track, posted on Instagram, included lyrics such as 'beat his ass' and 'get a body bag,' which the other student's parents interpreted as threats and reported to authorities.
• Lyles' parents advised him to avoid physical retaliation after the altercation, leading him to express himself through the diss track instead.
• The case has sparked discussions about whether aggressive lyrics in hip-hop should be taken literally or protected as artistic expression.
• Lyles, who hopes to join the U.S. Air Force after graduation, is facing a misdemeanor charge, and his parents are seeking dialogue with the other family to resolve the matter.

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