Rappers and the legal system have a long and complicated history. Frequently, hip-hop artists have found themselves on the wrong side of the law and are locked up in jail or have to serve a lengthy prison bid. XXL looks at over two dozen rappers who are in jail or prison right now.

Diddy’s legal issues have been the talk of 2024. After being hit with several lawsuits, things came to a head in September when he was arrested and indicted for sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. The disgraced media mogul has been denied pre-trial release and is being housed at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center until his case goes to court, which could take months. He is facing life in prison if found guilty.

Some other notable artists who are currently in jail while fighting their legal battles are Young Thug and YNW Melly. Both men are fighting for their freedom in the judicial system. Thugger is on trial facing serious racketeering charges in his YSL RICO case. Meanwhile, Melly had a mistrial in his double-murder case and a new trial is scheduled to begin in September of 2025.

 

And then there are legendary cases where rappers found themselves behind prison bars for life. Former hardcore rapper Big Lurch is serving a life sentence for murdering his female roommate and consuming her body parts in a grisly April of 2002 incident. Rapper Tay-K, who is famous for his 2017 viral song “The Race” that dropped while he was on the run from the police, was hit with a 55-year prison sentence for involvement in a 2016 robbery that left one man dead.

Unfortunately, one of the downsides of being in the spotlight is that rappers often get caught up and have to sit in jail or prison. Some artists can avoid this fate, while others are not so lucky. So to bring you up to speed, read why all these rappers are in jail or prison right now below.
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See Why These 26 Rappers Are in Jail or Prison Right Now

Rapper Young Thug attends the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 03, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Young Thug

Incarcerated: May 9, 2022
Charge: Violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) with Allegations of Murder and Weapons, Armed Robbery and More.
Sentenced: Currently in jail fighting his RICO trial
What Happened: Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, was among the 26 YSL (Young Stoner Life) members who were arrested on RICO charges in Atlanta in May of 2022. The 56-count indictment against them includes charges of murder and armed robbery. Thug is accused of being a leader of a violent street gang and renting a car that was used in the 2015 murder of reported gang member Donovan Thomas Jr. Additionally, Thug is facing drug and gun charges stemming from a police raid on his Buckhead, Ga. home during his first arrest. Young Thug is currently on trial for the eight counts of violating the RICO Act.

Tory Lanez attends the 2022 Parlor Games Celebrity Basketball Classic at the Cox Pavilion on April 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Greg Doherty/Getty Images

Tory Lanez

Incarcerated: Dec. 23, 2022
Charge: Assault with a Semiautomatic Firearm, Carrying a Loaded, Unregistered Firearm in a Vehicle and Negligent Discharge of a Firearm
Sentenced: 10 years in prison
What Happened: On July 12, 2020, Tory Lanez, real name Daystar Peterson, Megan Thee Stallion and Megan’s former friend, Kelsey Nicole Harris, were riding around in Los Angeles when an argument ensued that resulted in Megan getting shot in both of her feet. During his shooting trial, Tory’s defense attorneys raised questions if the rapper-singer really did shoot Megan. In the end, the jury ruled in favor of Megan and found Tory guilty on charges of assault with a firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm. Tory faces a maximum of 22 years in prison.

Fetty Wap attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey

Dia Dipasupil, Getty Images

Fetty Wap

Incarcerated: Oct. 29, 2021, released on bond, then back in custody on Aug. 8, 2022
Charge: Drug Trafficking
Sentenced: Six years in prison
What Happened: Fetty Wap is among five other individuals charged with distributing over 100 kilos of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine in the New York City area.

ynw melly why rappers are in prison

Law&Crime Network/YouTube

YNW Melly

Incarcerated: Feb. 13, 2019
Charge: Two Counts of First-Degree Murder
Sentenced: Currently in jail awaiting his retrial on double-murder charges
What Happened: YNW Melly, born Jamell Demons, was arrested in February of 2019 for his alleged role in the murder of his best friends YNW Sakchaser (Anthony Williams) and YNW Juvy (Christopher Thomas Jr.) on Oct. 26, 2018. Prosecutors claim that Melly shot the two men and staged the scene with the help of YNW Bortlen (Cortlen Henry) to make the shootings appear to be a drive-by. Melly’s double-muder case ended in a mistrial after a jury deliberated and couldn’t reach a verdict. YNW Melly’s retrial is scheduled for March 5, 2023.

Blueface attends the ZEUS Network BADDIES SOUTH Houston Premiere at Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace ScreenX & RPX on June 12, 2022 in Houston, Texas.

Arnold Turner/Getty Images

Blueface

Incarcerated: Jan.12, 2024
Charge: Probation Violation
Sentenced: Four years
What Happened: In January of 2024, Blueface was sentenced to a seven-month stint at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles for a probation violation stemming from a 2021 assault charge. While still in jail, in August of 2024, he was sentenced to four years in prison for violating his probation in a 2022 shooting case in Las Vegas.

In November of that year, Blueface was arrested for his alleged involvement in an attack on a bouncer at Skinny’s Lounge in San Fernando Valley, Calif. While the exact terms of the probation violation remain unclear, Blueface is scheduled to be released from jail on July 2, 2024.

9lokknine mug shot

Orange County Corrections Department

9lokknine

Incarcerated: Oct. 30, 2020
Charge: Possession of Unregistered Firearm, Aggravated Identity Theft and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition
Sentenced: Seven years in prison
What Happened: 9lokknine, born Jacquavius Smith, has a history of gun arrests from various shootings, including a shoot out at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 9, 2020. He also fraudulently applied for and received federal Paycheck Protection Program funds amounting to $10,000. Additionally, the Florida rapper faces attempted second-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting a gun into a home in Orlando in July of 2020.

Tsu-Surf attends The Ultimate Rap League App Event at Private Residence on October 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

Tsu Surf

Incarcerated: Oct. 13, 2022
Charge: Racketeering conspiracy and possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.
Sentenced: On Nov. 30, 2023, was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy and for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon.
What Happened: Tsu Surf is accused of playing a leadership role in the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips. Prosecutors alleged Surf, born Rahjon Cox, shot at a rival gang member on March 18, 2017.

casanova Official Big Game Take Over Hosted by Cardi B+Meek Mill

Prince Williams/Getty Images

Casanova

Incarcerated: Dec. 2, 2020
Charge: Racketeering and Narcotics
Sentenced: 15.6 years in prison
What Happened: Casanova, real name Caswell Senior, was among 17 alleged members of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang indicted under the RICO statute. The Brooklyn, N.Y. rapper was specifically accused of distributing controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking. On June 27, 2023, Casanova was sentenced to 188 months in prison for gang-related racketeering charges and other offenses.

Mystikal performs onstage during Drive-In Concerts Jokes & Jams II at Georgia International Convention Center on September 05, 2020 in College Park, Georgia.

Paras Griffin, Getty Images

Mystikal

Incarcerated: July 31, 2022
Charge: First-Degree Rape
Sentenced: Currently in jail waiting trial
What Happened: Mystikal, born Michael Lawrence Tyler, was indicted on first-degree rape charges in September of 2022. The New Orleans rapper is accused of brutally raping and assaulting a woman after accusing the victim of stealing money from him.

OMB Bloodbath performing in ‘Not Gang’ video.

OMB Bloodbath/YouTube

OMB Bloodbath

Incarcerated: Feb. 20, 2020
Charge: Aiding and Abetting Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity
Sentenced: Currently in jail awaiting trial
What Happened: OMB Bloodbath, born Alexandra Nicks, is accused of violating the state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act while being part of the 100% Third Ward and “103” street gang. Prosecutors alleged that Bloodbath helped facilitate and fund the murder of a gang rival in October of 2017.

Nathaniel Glover is pictured at his trial in the murder of John Jolly, 55, in Manhattan Supreme Court Friday, March 25, 2022 in Manhattan, New York.

Barry Williams/NY Daily News/Getty Images

Kidd Creole

Incarcerated: Aug. 2, 2017
Charge: First-Degree Manslaughter
Sentenced: 16 years in prison
What Happened: Kidd Creole, whose real name is Nathaniel Glover, stabbed to death John Jolly, a 55-year-old homeless man, during an altercation. The former Furious 5 rhymer explained to the police that he thought Jolly was propositioning him or wanted to rob him.

Pooh Shiesty mugshot

Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation

Pooh Shiesty

Incarcerated: June 8, 2021
Charge: Firearm Conspiracy
Sentenced: Five years in prison
What Happened:  Pooh Shiesty, whose real name is Lontrell Williams, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to a firearm conspiracy charge. The charges are related to two separate incidents involving guns. The first occurred in October of 2020 when the Memphis rapper was involved in a shooting outside an apartment complex parking lot in Miami. The second incident took place in June of 2021 at Miami’s King of Diamonds strip club.

unfoonk mugshot

Fulton County Sheriff’s Office/11Alive/YouTube

Unfoonk

Incarcerated: May 4, 2023
Charge: Racketeering/Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Participation In a Criminal Street Gang
Sentenced: 9.6 years in prison
What Happened: Initially, rapper Unfoonk, birth name Quantavious Grier, was among the 26 YSL members, including his brother Young Thug, who was arrested on RICO charges in Atlanta on May 9, 2022. In December of 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and theft by receiving stolen property, and accepted a plea deal for his release. Five months later, he was arrested during a traffic stop after police found a gun in his car, which breached his plea deal. On June 5, 2023, Judge Ural Glanville sentenced Grier to nearly a decade in prison.

“When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” New Orleans Premiere – Arrivals: C-Murder with girlfriend and Kernel.

Skip Bolen, Getty Images

C-Murder

Incarcerated: Aug. 14, 2009
Charge: Second Degree Murder
Sentenced: Life with no parole
What Happened: C-Murder, born Cory Miller, was convicted on the murder of 16-year-old Steve Thomas on Jan. 12, 2022. On Aug. 11, 2009, after several appeals on his conviction, C-Murder was found guilty of second-degree murder and ordered to serve a life sentence in prison without parole. Despite numerous attempts at appeal, in November of 2023, his conviction was upheld by a federal judge.

Tay-K at his murder trial where he was found guilty by a jury.

CBS Texas/YouTube

Tay-K

Incarcerated: June 30, 2017
Charge: Murder
Sentenced: 55 years in prison
What Happened:  Tay-K, born Taymor Travon McIntyre, was sentenced on July 23, 2019 to 55 years in prison for the 2016 robbery and murder of 21-year-old Ethan Walker. He was also sentenced to 30 years in prison on one count of aggravated robbery and given two additional 13-year prison sentences on two other counts of aggravated robbery.

big lurch why rappers are in prison

Tie Dye Hip Hop/YouTube

Big Lurch

Incarcerated: April 10, 2002
Charge: Murder, Torture and Aggravated Mayhem
Sentenced: Life with no parole
What Happened: Big Lurch, born Antron Singleton, is serving a life sentence for killing his 21-year-old roommate, Tynisha Ysais, and eating parts of her body in April of 2002. Lurch’s attorney, Milton Grimes, argued that the rapper was in a psychotic state caused by PCP consumption before committing the crime. Police arrested Lurch on April 10, 2002, when they spotted him running down a street, naked and covered with blood in Los Angeles. Investigators would later discover Ysais’ body at his apartment. He was sentenced for his crime in November of 2003.

Foogiano rapping in “Dead In Miami” video.

Foogiano/YouTube

Foogiano

Incarcerated: March 11, 2021
Charge: Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Sentenced: Five years in prison
What Happened:  On May 3, 2021, a Georgia judge sentenced Foogiano, born Kwame Khalil Brown, to five years in prison after the rapper pleaded guilty of removing his ankle GPS device. The “Dead in Miami” rhymer was initially arrested in March of 2021 while he was on the run after being charged for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Kay Flock rapping in “Is Ya Ready” music video.

Kay Flock/YouTube

Kay Flock

Incarcerated: Dec. 24, 2021
Charge: Murder, RICO Indictment
Sentenced: Currently in jail awaiting trial for murder
What Happened: Kay Flock, real name Kevin Perez, is accused of murdering a man during an argument outside of a Harlem, N.Y. barbershop. Prosecutors alleged that on Dec. 16, 2021, Kay shot Oscar Hernandez in the neck and back during a dispute. Additionally, the Bronx drill rapper was indicted on RICO charges. Authorities accused Kay and seven other people of running the local Sev Side/DOA Gang. The group faces multiple violent crime charges including attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon stemming from seven shootings committed in the Bronx between June of 2020 and February of 2022.

First Video of Max B from Prison in 10+ years.

Max B/YouTube

Max B

Incarcerated: Sept. 3, 2009
Charge: Convicted of Conspiracy to Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault and Murder
Sentenced: 75 years in prison
What Happened: Max B, born Charles Wingate, was sentenced to 75 years in prison for conspiracy related to armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault and felony murder. The Wave God is alleged to have plotted to rob two men with his on-and-off girlfriend, Gina Conway, and stepbrother, Kelvin Leerdam, at a Holiday Inn in New Jersey in September of 2006. The botched robbery resulted in one of the men being shot dead.

Actor Kaalan “KR” Walker arrives at a special screening of “SuperFly” hosted by Sony Pictures Entertainment at Sony Pictures Studios on June 10, 2018 in Culver City, California.

Amanda Edwards/Getty

KR

Incarcerated: Sept. 26, 2018
Charge: Several Felony Rape Charges
Sentenced: 50 years in prison
What Happened: On Oct. 18, 2022, rapper-actor Kaalan “KR” Walker was sentenced 50 years to life in prison after being convicted of raping four women and three teenage girls he met on social media. This comes after he was found guilty in a jury trial of three counts of forcible rape, two counts of statutory rape and two counts of rape by intoxication.

Lul G (L) and Sneak attend the Def Jam Pre-Grammy 2019 party at Catch LA sponsored by Courvoisier, Puma, Klasse 14 and Tik Tok on February 08, 2019 in West Hollywood, California.

Rich Polk/Getty Images

Lul G

Incarcerated: Sept. 10, 2019
Charge: Murder
Sentenced: 21 years in prison
What Happened: Lul G, born George Harris, pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in connection to his involvement in the shooting death of his friend Rashied Flowers on July 24, 2019. According to police, Lul G and Flowers were gambling and when the rapper started to lose money and an altercation ensued, resulting in Flowers getting shot in the abdomen. A witness then drove Flowers to a local hospital where he later died. On May 25, 2023, Lul G was sentenced to 21 years in prison for his deadly actions.

Ar-Ab performing in his “Rivals” music video.

PaperChaserDotCom/YouTube

Ar-Ab

Incarcerated: Oct. 21, 2018
Charge: Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Crack and Heroin, Distribution of Methamphetamine and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
Sentenced: 45 years in prison
What Happened: Philadelphia rapper Ar-Ab, born Abdul West, was arrested in October of 2018 and charged with running a local drug ring under the guise of his record label Original Block Hustlaz. Prosecutors also implicated OBH in at least one murder of a rival drug dealer. Ar-Ab was convicted by a jury on the criminal charges on Nov. 19, 2019 and sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison on April 16, 2021.

YFN Lucci Fulton County Sheriff’s Office mug shot

Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

YFN Lucci

Incarcerated: Jan. 14, 2021
Charge: Violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act
Sentenced: Time served, eligible for parole in four months.
What Happened: In January of 2021, YFN Lucci turned himself in to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office on a murder charge in Atlanta. He was then indicted in May of that year for racketeering, aggravated assault, murder and robbery, among other gun and gang-related charges, along with 11 other individuals. YFN Lucci pleaded guilty to one count of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism Prevention Act in January of 2024 following a lengthy legal battle. With nearly three years served, Lucci is currently eligible for parole, according to his legal team.

FTO Sett mugshot

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office

FTO Sett

Incarcerated: Feb. 20, 2024
Charge: Drug possession, firearm possession, theft, evading police.
Sentenced: Pending
What Happened: In February of 2024, FTO Sett was taken into custody after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The Memphis, Tenn. rapper’s bond was revoked in connection to an arrest in November of 2022 where he was hit with various drug and firearm charges including possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, evading arrest and more.

Sean “Diddy” Combs attends Sean “Diddy” Combs Fulfills $1 Million Pledge To Howard University At Howard Homecoming – Yardfest at Howard University on October 20, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images

Diddy

Incarcerated: Sept. 16, 2024
Charge: Sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Sentenced: Currently awaiting trial.
What Happened: Following multiple lawsuits being filed against Diddy accusing him of verbal, physical and sexual assault in late 2023 and early 2024, agents for the Department of Homeland Security raided Diddy’s home in Miami and Los Angeles in what was reported to be part of a sex trafficking investigation in March of 2024. Following several months of speculation and more lawsuits, the Bad Boy Entertainment founder was arrested on Sept. 17, 2024. The following day, a 14-page indictment was unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, revealing Puff had been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy pleaded not guilty, has been denied bond and will have to sit in jail as he waits for his trial.

HoneyKomb Brazy

HoneyKomb Brazy/YouTube

HoneyKomb Brazy

Incarcerated: Dec. 18, 2023
Charge: Possession of a controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm.
Sentenced: Currently awaiting sentencing.
What Happened: HoneyKomb Brazy was arrested along with his bodyguards following a traffic stop on I-65 in Mobile, Ala. on Dec. 18, 2023. discovered a Girson MC28 SA 9mm pistol and a Smith and Wesson MP 15 AR pistol in the vehicle. All three men were charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a controlled substance. The Feds picked up the case in January of 2024 and indicted the rapper on the gun charge. HKB pleaded guilty in July of 2024. His sentencing date has been set for Oct. 25, 2024.

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