February 24, 2025
These rappers overcame authorized challenges and proved their innocence within the court docket of regulation.
The hip-hop group is celebrating A$AP Rocky’s acquittal for a number of felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm within the alleged capturing of his childhood homie A$AP Rellie. Authorized victories aren’t precisely a dime a dozen in the case of Black people, particularly navigating a justice system that has traditionally been stacked in opposition to them–and when mass incarceration is considered. Nonetheless, there are moments when Black rappers have defied the chances. Right here’s a take a look at six rappers who overcame authorized challenges and proved their innocence in court docket. From high-stakes trials to career-defining moments, a few of these artists not solely secured not-guilty verdicts but additionally used their experiences of their music.
2 Stay Crew

2 Stay Crew, the legendary R-rated rap group from Miami, consisted of Uncle Luke, Mr. Mixx, Recent Child Ice, and Brother Marquis. The crew, recognized for his or her influential music, confronted authorized battles over their early albums. It’s been nearly 35 years for the reason that group confronted obscenity expenses in federal court docket for his or her album As Nasty As They Wanna Be. In 1992, an appeals court docket dominated the album was protected by the First Modification.
2pac

Tupac Shakur usually highlighted points like police violence, racism, and poverty in his music. On Oct. 30, 1993, the rapper allegedly shot two law enforcement officials allegedly attacking a Black man in Atlanta. Shakur was charged with two counts of aggravated assault however maintained his innocence. The case was dismissed on Dec. 1, 1993, after an investigation revealed the officers had been intoxicated and carrying a stolen weapon from the Henry County Police proof locker.
Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane rose to fame along with his first Billboard hit, “So Icy,” that includes Jeezy. Only a month later, he turned himself into authorities after being charged with homicide in connection to a deadly capturing that befell in his residence. The case gained widespread consideration, with Gucci Mane sustaining that he acted in self-defense. After a year-long authorized battle, he was discovered not responsible in 2006, as proof supported his declare of self-defense, permitting him to proceed his music profession.
Diddy

The decision of Diddy’s present indictments hangs within the steadiness because the music mogul and founding father of Dangerous Boy Information awaits trial to deal with quite a few expenses, together with intercourse trafficking and assault. Nonetheless, in December 1999, he was arrested alongside Jennifer Lopez and rapper Shyne following a NYC nightclub capturing. After a extremely publicized trial, a jury deliberated for 22 hours earlier than Diddy was discovered not responsible on March 16, 2001. Shyne, nonetheless, was convicted and sentenced to jail, whereas P. Diddy continued to increase his affect within the music and enterprise industries.
Snoop Dogg

Lengthy Seaside, California, rapper Snoop Dogg first gained recognition in 1992 when he appeared on Dr. Dre’s music Deep Cowl. Only a 12 months into his rising profession, he was arrested and charged with first-degree homicide in connection to a deadly capturing. He enlisted famend legal professional Johnnie Cochran for his protection, and in 1993, each he and his bodyguard had been acquitted of all expenses. The high-profile trial served as inspiration for Snoop Dogg’s hit music Homicide Was the Case, which mirrored his authorized battle.
Boosie Badazz

Boosie Badazz was incarcerated for a probation violation in 2009, however his authorized troubles escalated in 2010 when he was indicted for first-degree homicide and confronted the opportunity of the demise penalty. A jury discovered him not responsible on Could 11, 2012, clearing him of the fees. Boosie remained in jail on separate drug-related expenses earlier than being launched in March 2014, resuming his music profession and addressing his authorized battles in his lyrics.
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