POP/ROCK - Feb. 26, 1990

Florida Governor Taps Rap: Florida’s Gov. Bob Martinez called for a criminal investigation of a rap group last week because of its hot-selling album with sexually explicit lyrics. Martinez asked Peter Antonacci, Florida’s statewide prosecutor, to conduct an investigation into whether Florida’s Racketeer Influenced, Corrupt Organizations Act and obscenity laws have been violated by the widespread distribution of records by “The 2 Live Crew” and other rap groups. Martinez said he did not think the state should try to censor “the kind of legitimate public expression protected by the First Amendment.” He claimed that 2 Live Crew’s album doesn’t meet that standard.