Former pop/rap
group L.A. Boyz member, Jeff Huang, was indicted this week (Aug. 11) for a three-year-old
song with threatening lyrics towards Taiwanese lawmakers Huang, who was
also a member of the rap group Machi, is accused of threatening Taiwan government
officials on various songs, in response to a 2003 amendment to change copyright
laws that would have limited artists’ compensation from legal download sites.Prosecutors
claim Huang threatened 43 legislators, including former Democratic Progressive
Party Legislator Chiu Yi-ying. Officials say Huang accused the legislators of
"murdering the music industry in Taiwan" and "being bribed by website
owners."The
lyrics warned legislators to be on alert and implied some might die unexpected
deaths. Yi-Ying said Huang insulated her and other lawmakers and threatened her
personal safety. Yi-ying
and other officials claim it is inappropriate for a singer to list the names of
legislators and criticize them in such a manner.The
new indictment marks the second time legal action has been brought against Huang.
The rapper said several lawmakers tried to press charges against him, but were
unsuccessful in their attempts. "[Huang]
may have misunderstood, or simply did not understand the background of what we
have been doing," Chiu said. "I just need an apology [to drop the lawsuit].
That is all."Huang
refuses to apologize for criticizing Yi-Ying and the other officials."I
do not understand why I should apologize," Huang told reporters. "If
she criticizes my music, I am more than happy to accept it. But she is complaining
about the truth, and I will not compromise when it comes to that."Other
musicians are supporting Huang and some fans of the rapper called Yi-ying’s office
to voice their support, while others allegedly verbally abused Yi-ying’s assistants.
