Top 36 List Of Famous Rappers That Are In A USA Prison Right Now Or Who Previously Served Time In Prison or Currently Going To Be Sentenced To Jail And The Reasons For Their Incarcerations

Many rappers over the globe have gained fame due to their impeccable talent and charisma. However, there are cases when life puts them to test, and they suddenly disappear from the limelight. Some of them got lost along the way and violated the law. Some rappers get too caught up in their fame that they think they are above the law. They become more daring and reckless, even going as far as actually breaking the law. It isn’t so surprising to hear on the news of a rapper getting jail time for smashing someone else’s car or thrashing a bar or club. There are also some serious cases such as possession of illegal drugs and firearms. All the partying can quickly turn into drug sessions. Their fame also puts them at high risk for trouble, which prompts them to get their own guns and then get into more trouble for it. Sometimes, the drugs, booze, and guns are used to show off their newfound fame and power, but their fame does not make them immune to punishment from the law. Have you ever wondered if your favorite rapper has ever been put to prison? This article will tell you whether the rapper whom you admire was previously put to prison.

Below are some of the more famous, or rather, infamous rappers who had to deal with criminal charges that seriously affected their careers in the music industry:

1. Fat Joe

Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography/5605421488/ Author Eva Rinaldi

Born Joseph Antonio Cartagena, Fat Joe had a rap sheet that spanned way back to the late 90s. On June 14, 1998, it was alleged that Joe and another rapper named Big Pun hit a man with a baseball bat, and then stole his gold chain while the person was knocked out.

In 2002, he was charged for assaulting another person in Times Square. These charges were ultimately dropped.

He would mellow down for the rest of the 2000s, but he was charged for tax evasion in 2012. Pleading guilty, Joe was sentenced to a 4-month prison term on April 2013. He would serve the term from August to November of that year.

2. Tupac

One of rap’s most respected artists, Tupac’s criminal record is as extensive as his discography. On August 22, 1992, Tupac drew a Colt Mustang at a person he was arguing with in an outdoor festival. The gun accidentally discharged, fatally hitting a young Q’aid Walkert Teal. The charges were dropped as authorities could not prove that Tupac had any intention of firing the weapon.

His most egregious charge, however, was in November of 1993 when he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in his hotel room. Shakur denied the charges, insisting that the sex was consensual. The judge ruled in favor of the complainant and sentenced Tupac 1 to 4 years in prison as well as a $1.4 million bail.

Failing to meet the bail amount, He would serve his sentence on Valentine’s Day of 1995 when he would release his album Me Against the World. This would go on to become one of his Multi-Platinum records.

3. Lil Wayne

soure: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohhsnap_me/23513397583/ Author: Megan Elice Meadows

Known privately as Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., the rapper known as Lil Wayne had been arrested multiple times in the 2000s for possessing marijuana and other controlled substances. One notable arrest happened in January 2008 in Yuma, Arizona. Authorities discovered several grams of marijuana, ecstasy, and cocaine in his tour bus.

Pleading guilty, Lil Wayne was sentenced to a year of imprisonment at the Rikers Island correctional facility. There, he would be charged again with possessing contraband when prison officials discovered an MP3 Player and other electronics in his cell.

4. T.I.

source: https://concerttour.net/ Author Concerttour

Clifford Joseph Harris J.R. had a criminal record that predated his entire career as a rapper. At the age of 14, Harris has already been dealing drugs which led to several arrests. He would then gradually progress to even more serious charges such as possession of an unregistered firearm and assault.

The most notable incident, however, occurred in his rap career when, on October 13, 2007, he was arrested hours before the BET Hip Hop Awards for possessing several high-powered firearms. He would also be charged on September 1, 2010 for possessing drugs along with his wife, Tiny.

His most recent arrest was on May 16, 2018. He was charged with simple assault, public drunkenness, and disorderly conduct in a gated community in Henry County, Georgia.

5. Eminem

source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dodnewsfeatures/15585574949 Author DOD News

One of the genre’s most respected artists today, Marshall Mathers III’s criminal record may not be filled with serious charges, but it is nonetheless extensive. At the age of 20, he got his first criminal charge when he figured in a drive-by shooting with a paintball gun.

He would also be arrested for separate altercations with Douglas Dail and John Guerra, both incidents occurring just mere hours apart, and the latter caused by Guerra kissing Eminem’s ex-wife. He received two years’ probation for the Guerra incident.

Apart from this, Eminem’s rap sheet includes defamation suits coming from the celebrities and other people (including his ex-wife and mother) he lambasted in his songs, allegations of copyright infringements, death threats against then President George W. Bush, and allegations of homophobia.

6. Gucci Mane

Souce: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonpersse/4941759563/ Author Jason Persse

Gucci’s encounter with the law dates back to the early 2000s. This includes arrests for possession of prohibited substances, reckless driving, assault, homicide, and disorderly conduct. His most infamous arrest, however, occurred on March 22, 2013.

A soldier by the name of “James” alleged that Mane punched him in the head while the former was asking the rapper’s head of security if he could get a photo with him. This was followed by a second man named “TJ” who claimed that Mane punched him in the face when he tried to shake his hand following a performance at Philadelphia’s Club Onyx.

Mane turned himself in 4 days later, and was released a few weeks later. This would not be the end of Gucci’s problems, however, as he was arrested again in September of the same year for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of illegal substances, and disorderly conduct.

Agreeing to a plea deal, Gucci would be imprisoned at a correctional facility in Terre Haute, Indiana. He would remain there until May of 2016.

7. DMX

source: http://www.johnbmuellerphotography.com/ John Mueller, via email, to Nicholas Moreau. Created for the Wikimedia Foundation. Author John B. Mueller

DMX’s rap sheet is not unlike many other rappers found on this list as well. It extends way back to his early years as a rapper with the earliest being an incident involving him stealing a dog from a local junkyard in Valhalla, New York in 1986.

This would be followed by more serious offenses like possession of unregistered firearms, drug use, criminal impersonation, mischief, and driving under the influence. He has also been in and out of prison for several times, serving short terms for his different offenses.

His most recent run in with the law involves him failing to file his income tax returns from 2010 to 2015. He was charged subsequently with tax fraud, which landed him a 1-year prison sentence and three years of probation.

8. Chief Keef

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/swimfinfan/7713013222/in/photolist-cKzd7A-cKz6cb-cKzaE7-cKz4zG-cKz8YN-cKz3Ey-cKzdW9-cKz9PS-hePk32-hK9byu-hKa48q-hK7NCB-mM1JL5-cKLPDQ-c3Lgpb-qfBUu9-hK87By-hK7qtr-hK9WmD-hK8XDb-hK7Btc-hK7vb2-dmuwok-hKadBx Author swimfinfan

The man privately known as Keith Cozart spent most of his early days as a juvenile delinquent. The most notable incident in his record involves a drive-by shooting in Washington Park Neighborhood where he was arrested for unlawfully discharging a weapon. He was placed under house arrest.

This would be followed by several misdemeanor charges that include possession of prohibited substances and unlicensed firearms, driving under the influence, aggravated assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest.

Due to this, Keefe has spent most of the 2010s on juvenile detention centers while also recording his tracks. Keefe would also face legal problems from Kim Productions for failing to appear at a RapCulture Benefit concert in 2014.

9. Nipsey Hu$$le

Source: http://www.soundtrackbeatbattle.com/ Author Soundtrack Beat Battle

Born Ermias Joseph Asghedom, Nipsey Hu$$le had a fairly clean criminal record compared to most rappers. As a matter of fact, he was considered as a role model in his community, and he actively denounced gang violence in his music and public appearance. However, this did not spare him from gang culture.

10. 50 Cent

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9556827@N02/4128815954 Author Keith HInkle

A protégé of Eminem and Dr. Dre, 50 Cent (privately known as Curtis Jackson III) has a rather short criminal record compared to other equally famous rappers. His first criminal incident occurred on June 1994 when he was arrested for selling four vials of cocaine to an undercover police officer. He would be arrested weeks later when police raided his home and found ten ounces of crack cocaine and a starter pistol.

His next arrest would occur on December 31, 2002 when police found two handguns in his parked car. He was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon subsequently. In May 2004, he would also jump on an audience member after being hit by a water bottle during a concert. He was charged with three counts of assault and battery, and was sentenced to two years’ probation.

Jackson would also be faced with several charges of vandalism, physical assault, and property damage in separate incidents throughout 2013.

11. Meek Mill

Source: This is a screenshot from a video of a recording of a live performance Previously published: Nowhere, Author Heedandsucceed

When he was 18 years old, the rapper to be known as Meek Mill was arrested for illegally possessing a firearm, and assaulting the arresting officer. He was subsequently convicted of drug dealing and possession of an unregistered firearm, and was put on probation.

In the years to follow, Mill would be charged for violating the terms of his probation for several times. This includes failing to report his travel plans to his probation officer, and several social media postings with thinly veiled threats against the judge presiding over his case.

As of 2018, Mill continued to deal with probation violations and had reportedly lost millions of his own income handling the matter. He is strongly supported by many other rappers and celebrities after a whistleblower revealed that there were discrepancies regarding the details of his arrest.

12. Cardi B

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cardi_B_Photo_by_Chris_Allmeid_(cropped).jpg Author Chrisallmeid

The unabashedly flippant Cardi B figured in several notable and controversial incidents. One notable occasion was at a New York Fashion Week post-party when she threw a shoe at fellow rapper Nicki Minaj. The incident was born out of Cardi being incensed by Minaj liking some disparaging comments made by other people against Cardi on social media.

Cardi B would also figure in an incident wherein she attacked two bartenders on October 1, 2018. She would be charged formally with assault and reckless endangerment, but was released thereafter. She would also be charged in June 2019 with 14 allegations including a felony assault with intent to cause serious physical injury from the same incident.

Earlier of the same year, Cardi B would also make headlines when she admitted to stealing from men during her early years as a stripper.

13. Boozie Badazz

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lil_Boosie.png Author TrillEntCMG

Formerly known as Lil Boosie, this rapper was arrested on October 22, 2008 after authorities from the East Baton Rouge police department found marijuana and an unlicensed firearm in his vehicle. He was sentenced to two years of imprisonment the next day, which was doubled in length after he violated the terms of his probation.

He would then be arrested for the murder of Terry Boyd on June 17, 2017 while also facing multiple misdemeanor charges. Authorities believed that Boozie had killed Boyd over an ongoing turf war between their rival groups.

He pleaded guilty to all charges, and was sentenced to eight years for drug charges. He was acquitted over the charge of first degree murder. Had he been convicted, Boozie would have faced death penalty under Louisiana’s penal laws.

14. 6ix9ine

Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n61wXhtGLYs&t=1m26s 6ix9ine saves a fan of aggressive security & Willam Asher throws 6ix9ine’s shoe into the audience Author Eljakim Video

Also known as Tekashi69, the rapper known as 6ix9ine (pronounced “SixNine” still has a relatively young career in the music industry. However, this did not stop him from becoming one of the more infamous rappers to have risen in the late 2010s.

On November 18, 2018, the rapper privately known as Daniel Hernandez was arrested along with his manager and associates for several violations of the RICO law, as well as possession of firearms, conspiracy to commit murder, and armed robbery. It was alleged that Hernandez and his cohorts were part of a rather violent offshoot of The Bloods known only as the Nine Trey Gangsters.

If convicted, Hernandez could face a possible life sentence with a mandatory term of 47 years. A document released in February 2019 revealed that Hernandez was entering a plea deal to testify against other Nine Trey members in exchange for a lighter sentence.

15. Notorious BIG

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gringolivier/6960389853/ Author Gringolivier Own work http://www.olivierdevaureix.com/

The late Notorious BIG was publicly involved in the infamous East Coast-West Coast Hip Hop Feud, one of Hip Hop’s most turbulent times, which claimed the life of several artists including him. Prior to this, however, BIG already had an extensive rap sheet with various charges including possession of prohibited substances and unlicensed firearms, and assault.

However, he was most infamous for his feud with Tupac Shakur and even figured as a person of interest following the latter’s death. Witness Chuck Phillips claimed that the fatal shooting was in retaliation to an assault Tupac made hours earlier, and the Compton Gang that carried out the association was paid by BIG for the deed.

BIG insisted that he had nothing to do with the shooting as he was busy recording the track “Nasty Girl” while the shooting occurred. This was corroborated by his manager and several others.

16. Sean Puffy Combs

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/recklessdreamphotography/5260905853/ Author Reckless Dream Photography

Formerly known as P. Diddy, Combs had been dealing with multiple criminal allegations from a good part of the late 90s up to more recent times. On April 1999, Combs had an altercation with Steve Toute, manager of Nas, over a segment in the music video for Hate Me Now. He was charged with mischief and second-degree assault, which led to a sentence of a day in anger management class.

He was also criminally charged with assault on a complaint filed by TV host Rogelio Mills, but the case was settled in Comb’s favor in 2005. His last recent arrest was in 2015 when he figured in an altercation with the UCLA football team’s manager over his son’s scholarship.

It is alleged that Combs struck the manager with a kettleball, which was deemed a deadly weapon under UCLA guidelines. He was subsequently nabbed and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

17. Wiz Khalifa

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/anspress-society-news/35890228383/ Author ANSPressSocietyNews

Privately known as Cameron Thomaz, the rapper Wiz Khalifa has a rather uneventful criminal record compared to his contemporaries. As a publicly known endorser of Marijuana, most of his charges involved him possessing the substance which is still illegal in some states.

His first notable arrest was on November of 2010 when he was discovered to not only possess but for trafficking marijuana while touring through East Carolina University. He posted bail set at $300,000.00, and was immediately released the day after.

His next notable incident was on May of 2014 when he was found to be in possession of the substance again prior to releasing a new mixtape entitled 28 grams. Ever nonchalant with his drug charges, Khalifa took the arrest lightly and even posted a “jail selfie” while incarcerated.

18. Jeezy

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/photocology/4254502349/ Author Timothy M. Moore

Known also as Jay Wayne Jenkins, the rapper formerly known as Young Jeezy had been arrested on numerous occasions for different crimes. On March 11, 2005, he was allegedly involved in a shooting incident perpetrated by some of his associates, and was charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a permit. This was dropped when prosecutors could not find anything conclusive.

In the years that followed, Jeezy would add to his rap sheet offenses like driving under the influence, battery, falsely imprisoning another person, making terrorist threats, and copyright infringement.

His most recent trouble with the law was on August 24, 2014 when authorities discovered an AK-47 and several other high-caliber weapons on his tour bus. This search was made in connection to an alleged backstage shooting that occurred in one of his Under the Influence concerts.

19. Mac Miller

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mac_Miller_(7)_%E2%80%93_splash!_Festival_20_(2017)_(cropped).jpg Author Nicolas Völcker

Prior to his untimely death on September 7, 2018 from a suspected drug overdose, the man known as Malcolm James McCormick had a rather tame criminal record compared to most of his contemporaries. His earliest notable offense was in February of 2011 when he was caught in the possession of marijuana along with his friends.

His next most notable arrest was in May 2018 following a hit and run incident wherein he crashed into an electrical pole and immediately fled the wreckage with two other individuals. He was accosted and discovered to be heavily under the influence. He was charged with a DUI but did not live to see his sentencing.

20. Kodak Black

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kodak_Black_Press_Photo_by_David_Cabrera.jpg Atlantic Records Author David Cabrera

Prior to starting his rap career, the man known on stage as Kodak Black already had an extensive criminal record. He had been in and out of youth detention facilities for most of his teenage years, and was placed under probation for several times.

Kodak’s offenses throughout his teenage to adult life included possessing controlled substances, armed robbery, false imprisonment, sexual assault, violation of probation terms, and physical assault.

His most notorious incident, however, occurred in January 2018 when he appeared live on Instagram passing a marijuana joint and a gun around a small child. He was charged with multiple offenses over the incident including child neglect, grand theft of a firearm, and marijuana possession, among several others.

21. Kid Cudi

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brinsknaps/4533618654 Author brinsknaps

A fairly successful artist in the genre with multiple collaborations with popular artists like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, and Michael Bolton, Kid Cudi had managed to maintain a fairly clean public image. His only notable arrest was on June 11, 2010 when he was discovered to possess prohibited substances while in a neighborhood around Chelsea in Manhattan.

Cudi was subsequently charged with criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance. But despite the charging, Cudi was able to make an appearance at the Bonnaroo festival of that year. He has been attracting the attention of the authorities ever since.

22. Snoop Dogg

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snoop_Dogg_2019_by_Glenn_Francis.jpg Author Toglenn

Calvin Broadus Jr. is perhaps one of the more influential rappers currently active in the industry, and has been instrumental to the rise of other younger artists. He also happens to possess a fairly extensive criminal record for a number of offenses.

Snoop has been arrested several times for possessing marijuana and other prohibited substances in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Sierra Blanca. He has also been caught in the possession of firearms and weapons, one incident being at the John Wayne Airport in September 2006 when officials found a police baton in his luggage.

He was arrested in London in 2006 when he and his entourage vandalized a duty-free shop after being turned away from first class seating at British Airways. Snoop also was arrested in Sweden in 2015 for using illegal drugs.

23. Offset

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thecomeupshow/36639924495/ Author The Come Up Show

A member of the rap trio Migos, Offset’s criminal record began at the same time he and the rest of Migos rose to popularity. In 2013, Offset was arrested along with the other Migos members for violating a probation arising from being charged with felony burglary and theft.

In April of 2015, he would be arrested again mid-concert at Georgia Southern University for possession of prohibited substances and firearms in a school safety zone. While incarcerated, Offset would add the charge of battery to his record after attacking an inmate over a dispute.

He would be released later that year after accepting a plea deal. However, he remains a persona non grata in counties like Bulloch, Effingham, Screven, and Jenkins due to his history of violence and criminal record.

24. Soulja Boy

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL33FnwU5jw Author Bandai Namco Entertainment America

Soulja’s first official run-in with the law as a rapper occurred on October 7, 2009 when he ran from police after being told to stop while filming at an abandoned house. He was charged with one count of obstruction, and was released on a bond of $550.00.

On a routine traffic inspection at Carroll County, Georgia on October 11, 2011, police found five ounces of marijuana in his vehicle. This led to another arrest. He was released on bond on the same day.

On another traffic inspection after running a red light in San Fernando Valley, police found a loaded gun in his car and he was arrested. He claims that the weapon was not his and he stayed incarcerated for five days.

Recently, Soulja has been trying to maintain low visibility from authorities, although he still managed to get himself in a legal dispute with videogame company Nintendo over his handheld console, the SouljaGame.

25. BG

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Director_Chaz_Singleton_and_rapper_BG_(cropped).jpg Author Astroclown

Louisiana-born rapper B.G., whose real name was Christopher Dorsey, was pulled over on November 3, 2009 for a routine traffic inspection in Eastern New Orleans. Upon search, police found three handguns (two of which were reported stolen), ammunition, and various prohibited drugs.

BG was immediately arrested and charged with illegal carrying of weapons. After entering a not guilty plea on February 11, 2010, BG was convicted of the crime of gun possession and witness tampering while his case was pending in court. He was sentenced to a 14-year prison term starting in 2012 which he is still currently serving. He was a well-known hip hop recording artist from Louisiana. This was a huge setback to his budding recording career.

26. Beanie Sigel

Image source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beanie_Sigel Author User:Mika-photography https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Mika-photography

Known privately as Dwight Equan Grant, Beanie Sigel is known for creating hardcore hip hop music. He was an ex-member of Dame Dash Music Group and Roc-A-Fell Records where he met other famous artists such as Jay-Z.

Beanie Sigel has been dealing with many criminal issues throughout his music career. In 2002, Sigel was arrested for possessing unlicensed firearms. He would be convicted of the charge and would serve a year in federal prison.

Sigel would also be charged for punching a 53-year old man in January 2003, and would turn himself in six months later for an incident involving him firing a weapon at a club door, leading to multiple injuries. In August of 2009, he would be arrested again and charged with possessing prohibited drugs while traveling to a concert in New Jersey.

On August 29, 2012, Sigel would be arrested again in Philadelphia after a search on his vehicle yielded a loaded handgun, $4,500.00 in cash, and various drugs including codeine. He would be charged with possessing illegal drugs and weapons, as well as one count of conspiracy.

Ironically, this arrest occurred two days after he was supposed to serve a 25-month prison sentence for failing to file his income tax returns from 2003 to 2005.

27. Bobby Shmurda

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJwKKKd2ZYE Bobby Shmurda – Hot N*gga (Official Video)

On June 3, 2014, police investigated an incident involving Bobby Shmurda allegedly brandishing a gun at an apartment. Upon realizing that police officers were approaching, Shmurda tried to conceal the weapon, but he was subsequently arrested.

A few months later, Shmurda and several other individuals would be arrested for their involvement in a gang known as GS9. Police had been investigating the gang for years as they had been allegedly firing indiscriminately in public spaces for years, even before Shmurda started his rap career.

Police also pointed to lyrics in the rapper’s discography where they claimed Shmurda directly confessed to committing crimes such as dealing drugs, involvement in gang fights, and hints towards future murders. The rapper even insisted that the lyrics represented actual events in his life, according to several interviews.

28. C-Murder

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:C-Murder_001.jpg Author Justauserr

Privately known as Corey Miller, the rapper C-Murder was alleged to have beaten and fatally shooting 16-year old Steve Thomas in Harvey, Louisiana in September 2002. He would be arrested a few days later after police responded to a call complaining that Miller was causing a disturbance at the House of Blues.

Charged with first-degree murder, similar to Lurch, Miller would be sentenced to a life in prison in August of 2009 to be served at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

While serving his sentence, controversy arose from his case in 2018 when witnesses to his trial recanted their sworn statements and claimed that they were pressured by the authorities to pin the blame of the murder on him.

Miller continues to claim that he is innocent of the crime and has filed a motion for a new trial several times in court. His biggest accomplishment as a musician was producing nine albums under six different labels.

29. Cassidy

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/photocology/4254499393/ Author Timothy M. Moore

On the 15th of April, 2005, it was alleged that Cassidy (Barry Reese in real life) along with two other men, fired upon the West Oak Lane neighborhood in West Philadelphia. The incident took the life of a certain Desmond Hawkins and wounded two others.

Upon investigation, a warrant was issued against Cassidy and his cohorts for the crimes of murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, conspiracy, and possession of unlicensed firearms. He would surrender himself on the 17th of June in that same year.

After a publicized trial that featured the primary witnesses withdrawing their testimonies, Cassidy was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and possession of an instrument of crime for which he would be sentenced to imprisonment for 11 to 23 months including probation.

Cassidy has since been released from prison and has talked about his experience of being incarcerated extensively. He is known for being a freestyle and battle rapper and became famous for his singles, ‘Hotel’, ‘I’m A Hustla’, and ‘My Drink n My 2 Step’.

30. AR-Ab

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofrz11TywUU Ar-Ab “Grave Shift” Official Video

Born Abdul Ibrahim West, AR-Ab was wanted in 2005 for his involvement in a shooting incident along with fellow rapper Cassidy, which left one person dead and two others severely injured. Unlike Cassidy, however, AR-Ab claims that he was found to be “not guilty” of all charges.

In April of 2013, AR-Ab revealed that he was charged for trafficking illegal drugs over an incident that occurred 3 years earlier. He would turn himself over to the police a few weeks later.

The rapper would be indicted again on October 2018 along with several others as part of a drug trafficking scheme that operated in North Philadelphia. He was pinpointed as the ringleader of this group and had been charged with multiple offenses including conspiracy to distribute and possession of illegal drugs.

31. Lil Kim

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/60948753@N05/7230238470/in/photolist-c1URZY-aeRZBV-aeUNMS-aeUPtq-4rLHrD-Ts5tL7-d9v7t7-6cuxB3-aeUPLq-aeUPwu-aeS1dg-aeRZJv-aeUNB5-aeS1tt-aeS158-aeUNH5-aeUPJL-aeRZLp-aeUP83-aeUNEs-aeRZGV-aeUP3A-aeUNCf-aeUPH7-aeUPmh-LRF3Mv-L2NSkc-LYMpGB-LVLKbC-LxaPaA-Lxd4cu-L2KWdP-LP8WRh-LYPJyF-LRHtK2-LVK2HQ-aeS1n6-aeUPcY-aeUPvj-aeUPDw-aeRZWB-LRGF1R-LYNdje-LVKEK5-4rLGwt-5c43oS-k2PUwB-k4x7PV-k2YQwT-8eqFhS Author xKahl

Kimberly Denise Jones managed to maintain a low profile for much of her career as far as her criminal activity is concerned. She and then boyfriend Shawn Powell were arrested for robbery as teenagers in the early 90s.

She would follow this arrest with another in 1996 when police raided her home in Teaneck, New Jersey, and seized several ounces of marijuana. She would also be served a warrant for failing to appear in court for her charges in 1996, although she claimed that she did not do so as she believed that the incident had been resolved.

Lil Kim is also on this list since she was sent to prison way back in 2005. What did she do? Well, she was convicted of perjury and conspiracy, mainly because she lied in court despite being the key witness of a shootout. Lying in court is never a good thing because that withholds justice fromothers.

Apart from this, Lil Kim has managed to keep herself out of other criminal activities for the rest of the 2000s and onwards.

32. Remy Ma

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RemyMaRocNationBrunch.png Author Artmanjay

Known privately as Reminisce Mackenzie-Smith, rapper Remy Ma figured in a shooting incident outside the Pizza Bar in Manhattan on July 13, 2007. The incident left a certain Makeda Barnes-Joseph seriosuly wounded at the torso and witnesses point to Remy Ma as the shooter.

It is widely believed that the altercation occured as Barnes-Joseph was accused by Remy of stealing $3,000.00 from her. Witnesses also alleged that Remy had complete disregard over the condition of the victim as she rummaged through the wounded Barnes’ purse and left immediately.

Remy turned herself in on the same day and was convicted of assault, illegal possession of a firearm, and attempted coercion. She was sentenced to 8 years in prison but only served 6, being released on August of 2014.

33. Ralo

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEfdqoCqA9Y Ralo ft. Skooly – Won’t Stop [Official Video]
Terrell Davis, known professionally as Ralo, has been active in the rap scene since early 2015. On April 15, 2018, however, he was found with 440 pounds of marijuana worth $840,000.00 while on a private flight from California to Georgia.

The search warrant also pointed out that Ralo was the leader of a criminal gang in Atlanta known as Famerica and had been active in the group way before starting his career. Ralo continues to feign innocence and claims that that the arrest is racially motivated as he is an African-American Muslim.

 

34. 2 Chainz

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thecomeupshow/36889234236/ Author Erin Cazes

His real name is Tauheed Epps, and he was born on September 22, 1977. He was formerly called Tity Boi while in Ludacris’ record label Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP) and is one half member of the Playaz Circle.

His troubles with the law started when he was just 15 years old after being convicted of felony cocaine possession. After he became a popular rapper, his trouble with the law did not end. On June 11, 2013, he was put under arrest while seated on an airplane which was about to departure the LAX Airport. TSA agents found marijuana and promethazine inside his luggage.

On August 21 2013 before midnight, his tour bus was pulled over in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, because the passenger side taillights were out. While approaching the bus, the officer smelled marijuana and wanted to search the bus but the driver refused. After an 8 hour stand-off, him and 9 other men were arrested that night after guns, prescription painkillers and marijuana residue were found inside the bus.

35. Akon

source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/us_embassy_nairobi/19774557820/ Author U.S. Embassy Nairobi

Akon, real name Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, is a popular hip-hop artist, songwriter and record producer. His popularity started after the release of his first single ‘Locked up’ from his debut album ‘Trouble’. He used his jail experience as an inspiration for his music, which touched a lot of people’s lives and made him famous.

His first brush with the law started before his stardom when he was part of an auto-theft ring. He got caught stealing cars and doing other numerous crimes. He was in and out of jail many times which all added to 3 years.

On June 3, 2007, at WSPK’s KFEST concert at the Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, New York, one person in the crowd threw something which nearly hit Akon. Finding the act disrespectful, Akon asked the crow to point the assailant and send security to grab him and bring him on stage. Once on stage, Akon placed him across his shoulders and then tossed him back into the crowd from his shoulders as if it was professional wrestling. The Fishkill Police Department analyzed the video and decided to charge Akon with charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, a misdemeanor and second-degree harassment. Akon later claimed that the whole thing was choregraphed in order to transition to the next record. Akon was arraigned on the two charges on December 3, 2007 in the town of Fishkill Court.

36. Big Lurch

Source https://myspace.com/3xlbiglurch/mixes/classic-my-photos-405251/photo/135618142

Morbid as it may seem, Big Lurch murdered his 21-year-old female roommate and ate parts of her body. It was reported that he was under the influence of PCP when committing this act. He was given a life sentence due to this heinous act of crime. Drugs abound in the music scene and this often gets musicians in lots of trouble. Common cases are possession, dealing, and the acts they committed while under the influence of drugs. Lurch’s case is just an example of the many heinous crimes committed due to the influence of drugs.

Rap has been trying so hard to shed its bad boy image in recent years. However, that is not to say that the genre has propelled the careers of many individuals who became infamous for their run-ins with the law, as well as their music.

These are the popular rappers who were previously incarcerated. They gained fame in the music industry due to their talent. However, things didn’t always go their way. Some perhaps were pushed to their limits, while others probably lost their control along the way. Most rappers were so blinded by fame and fortune that they forgot there are laws in the land and they are not immune to those. Also, their fame exposed them to the wrong kind of people who introduced them to drugs and firearms. This is a lethal combination, and in time, it will get anyone in trouble with the law. Most of the crimes that got these rappers in jail are caused by acquainting themselves with the wrong kind of people. These popular rappers who were previously incarcerated surely have a story to tell the public.

There are also some rappers who spent time in jail before they became rappers. They saw their experiences in prison as turning points in their lives, but that is another story for another day.

Prison life had different effects on these rappers. Some, like Akon, used it to further their music careers. Specifically, they used it as an inspiration and theme for their music. Some were at the pinnacle of their careers and they became sidetracked by the high life. And so their imprisonment halted their careers. Quite a few rappers even made successful comebacks after spending time in jail. With the many new talents being discovered every day, people are less likely to keep patronizing “old” rappers who got a bad rap.

Click Here To Discover The Guide Which Helped These Rappers Survive Their Sentencing