Though hip-hop has joyfully celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2023, a few high-stakes trials involving rap artists have left a cloud over the genre, to some extent. Whether it be the Young Stoner Life R.I.C.O. case in Georgia, Tupac‘s murder case in Las Vegas, or YNW Melly’s double homicide case in Florida, some of the genre’s most notable names have been implicated in critical legal battles.
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This is not to mention The Fugees’ Pras Michel, who is now just half a year removed from being found guilty of international conspiracy by a federal court. At the moment, Michel is currently awaiting a sentencing date and could face up to two decades in prison.
With this in mind, we’ve listed and broken down three ongoing trials below, all of which have not yet reached an official verdict.
3. YNW Melly
In the mid-to-late 2010s, Florida rapper YNW Melly went viral with hits like “Mixed Personalities” with Kanye West, “Murder on My Mind,” and “Suicidal.” However, at the start of 2019, he was arrested and charged with the murders of his former friends/associates Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas and Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams.
Last year, the case officially went to trial and lasted three weeks. However, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision, which led to the scheduling of a retrial for January 2024. Since then, Melly and his accomplice YNW Bortlen have also been hit with witness tampering charges in relation to the double murder.
Melly is currently awaiting the second trial in Broward County Jail in Florida and could face the death penalty if convicted.
2. Young Thug
On Monday (November 6), the official Young Stoner Life Twitter page acknowledged that it had been 547 days since Young Thug was initially arrested in May 2022. Along with many of his fellow label-mates on the YSL imprint, Thug was apprehended by Fulton County police on federal racketeering charges.
Since then, YSL’s Gunna was able to earn his freedom with a plea deal, which has led to an incredibly prosperous 2023 for the young star. As for Thug, though, he is currently facing eight counts relating to conspiracy and possession of drugs and firearms and has been in the jury selection stage of his case all year long.
Earlier this week, Rolling Stone confirmed that the trial will officially begin on November 27.
[RELATED: Gunna Shows Support for Young Thug During First Concert Since Prison Release]
1. Tupac
After 27 years and hardly any leads, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police finally arrested a man they believe is connected to the infamous 1996 murder of Tupac. Named Duane “Keefe D” Davis, the culprit is suspected to have been in the car where shots were fired that ended up killing the iconic rapper.
Since Davis’ arrest, many adjacent personalities have spoken out, such as Tupac’s former friend and business partner Suge Knight, Pac’s half-siblings, 50 Cent, and Greg Kading, a former LAPD detective who worked on the case in the 2000s. On Tuesday, Rolling Stone reported that Davis will go to trial in June 2024.
(Photo by Derek White/WireImage)
