Discover the crimes and sentences of your favorite rappers…
Rap, a musical genre often associated with freedom of expression and rebellion, sometimes finds itself facing the harsh reality of incarceration. Many American rappers, for various reasons, have found themselves behind prison bars, trading recording studios for cells and penitentiary hallways. Far from the glitz and glamor, these artists face a much different reality, marked by prison routines, violence, and separation from their loved ones. In this article, we present a selection of rappers who are currently in prison and reveal their crimes.
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YNW Melly:
Date of Incarceration: February 13, 2019
Charges: Two counts of first-degree murder
Sentence: Currently in prison awaiting a new trial for double murder
What Happened: YNW Melly, born Jamell Demons, was arrested in February 2019 for his alleged role in the murder of his best friends YNW Sakchaser (Anthony Williams) and YNW Juvy (Christopher Thomas Jr.) on October 26, 2018. Prosecutors claim that Melly shot both men and staged the scene with the help of YNW Bortlen (Cortlen Henry) to make it look like a drive-by shooting.
Young Thug:
Date of Incarceration: May 9, 2022
Charges: RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations) violations with allegations of murder, armed robbery, and more
Sentence: Currently in prison for his RICO trial
What Happened: Young Thug, born Jeffery Williams, was one of 26 members of YSL (Young Stoner Life) arrested for RICO charges in Atlanta in May 2022. The 56-count indictment against them includes charges of murder and armed robbery. Thug is accused of being the leader of a violent street gang and of renting a car used in the 2015 murder of gang member Donovan Thomas Jr. Additionally, Thug faces charges of drug and firearm trafficking resulting from a police raid at his Buckhead, Georgia, home during his initial arrest. Young Thug is currently on trial for eight counts of violating the RICO Act.
Casanova:
Date of Incarceration: December 2, 2020
Charges: Racketeering and drug trafficking
Sentence: 15 years in prison
What Happened: Casanova, born Caswell Senior, was among 17 alleged members of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation gang indicted under the RICO Act. The Brooklyn rapper was specifically charged with the distribution of controlled substances and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking ring. On June 27, 2023, Casanova was sentenced to 188 months in prison for gang-related racketeering charges and other crimes.
Fetty Wap:
Date of Incarceration: October 29, 2021, released on bail, then re-incarcerated on August 8, 2022
Charges: Drug trafficking
Sentence: Six years in prison
What Happened: Fetty Wap was among five others charged with distributing over 100 kilograms of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack in the New York region.
Tay-K:
Date of Incarceration: June 30, 2017
Charges: Murder
Sentence: 111 years in prison
What Happened: Tay-K, born Taymor Travon McIntyre, was sentenced on July 23, 2019, to 55 years in prison for the robbery and murder of 21-year-old Ethan Walker in 2016. He was also sentenced to 30 years in prison for armed robbery and two additional sentences of 13 years each for two other counts of armed robbery.
Blueface:
Date of Incarceration: January 12, 2024
Charges: Probation violation
Sentence: Seven months in prison
What Happened: Blueface is currently serving a seven-month sentence at the Central Men’s Jail in Los Angeles. The California rapper turned himself in on January 12, 2024, to address a probation violation resulting from an assault charge in 2021. In November of the same year, Blueface was arrested for his alleged involvement in an attack on a bouncer at Skinny’s Lounge in the San Fernando Valley, California. While the exact terms of the probation violation remain unclear, Blueface is expected to be released from prison on July 2, 2024.
