Rapper Afroman has been cleared of defamation and privacy invasion charges in a case brought by sheriff’s deputies over his viral “Lemon Pound Cake” music videos.

A jury in Ohio found that the artist, real name Joseph Foreman, did not defame seven Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies after releasing songs and videos mocking a 2022 raid on his home.

During the trial, Afroman claimed that his content was protected by free speech, characterizing the lyrics as exaggerated entertainment rather than factual claims.

“After they ran around my house with guns and kicked down my door, I have the right to use my freedom of speech and turn my bad times into good times,” he told the court.

The case stemmed from an August 2022 incident in which deputies executed a search warrant at his home in connection with alleged drug trafficking and kidnapping. No charges were filed after the search.

Afroman later posted footage of the raid online and turned it into multiple music videos, including the track Lemon Pound Cake, which gained millions of views.

The videos not only criticised the raid but also included exaggerated and offensive portrayals of the officers, prompting the deputies to sue, claiming reputational damage and emotional distress.

However, Afroman’s legal team maintained that the content was clearly satirical and part of artistic expression, comparing it to other controversial works in music culture.

The jury ultimately agreed, finding that the videos could not reasonably be interpreted as statements of fact.

The ruling marks a significant victory for the rapper and reinforces legal protections around satire, parody, and free speech in artistic works.