A police officer, mocked by Afroman in a music video following a 2022 raid on his home, broke down in tears during a court hearing on Tuesday. She, along with several colleagues, has filed a lawsuit claiming the rapper profited from their likeness without permission. After the raid, which uncovered no criminal evidence, Afroman used security camera footage to create a music video for his song “Lemon Pound Cake.” He also released a separate clip specifically targeting Adams County Deputy Sheriff Lisa Phillips, titled “Licc’em Low Lisa.” During the hearing, Phillips was visibly emotional while viewing the footage. In total, four deputies, two sergeants, and a detective are pursuing claims for song revenue, music videos, merchandise, and concert ticket sales.
Authorities had a probable cause warrant for narcotics and kidnapping. However, investigators found no illegal activity during the search. At Tuesday’s hearing, Afroman appeared in a suit patterned after the American flag. He offered a robust defense of his actions. He said, “All of this is their fault.” Additionally, he argued, “If they hadn’t 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 … my money would still be intact.”
Afroman’s Rap Response Sparks Court Clash With Police
Afroman previously elaborated on his reasoning in an NPR interview, reflecting on the personal impact of the raid. He said, “I asked myself, as a powerless Black man in America, what can I do to the cops that kicked my door in, tried to kill me in front of my kids, stole my money and disconnected my cameras?” He continued, “And the only thing I could come up with was make a funny rap song about them and make some money, use the money to pay for the damages they did and move on.”
The case raises questions about the intersection of artistic expression and the rights of individuals depicted in media, particularly when law enforcement is involved. In the meantime, court proceedings are ongoing as the officers continue to seek compensation for the alleged misuse of their images and likenesses.
