The five rappers with the longest prison sentences
Rap and crime have a complicated relationship. For some rappers, being on the wrong side of the law has landed them years off the streets and off beats.
This has also created a vicious cycle where young rappers constantly try to earn those jail stripes in order to make it as an ‘established’ MC, especially in the age of social media, where these stories become viral in a matter of seconds.
However, more often than not, these shortcut plans to fame and success end up falling on their face, and before you know it, you’re looking at a prison sentence that seems to have no end in sight.
Take a look at the five rappers with the longest terms in prison.
Five rappers with the longest time behind bars
Big Lurch
Big Lurch had previously been signed to MCA Records and 3XL Entertainment, and was sent to prison back in April 2022, charged with murder, torture and aggravated mayhem.
At the time of his arrest, he was high on PCP. He killed and ate 21-year-old Tynisha Ysais, who was dating one of his friends. When he was arrested, police allegedly said he was covered in blood, screaming in the street, and couldn’t remember what had happened. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Mac Phipps
Former No Limit rapper, Mac Phipps, was incarcerated in September 2001, charged with manslaughter.
In February 2000, Phipps was due to perform at a club in Louisiana when a fight broke out. A gun was fired, and a 19-year-old man was killed. Phipps was initially charged with murder but was reduced to manslaughter after a security guard later confessed to the killing. The police chose to continue charges against Phipps, who became a high-profile case of wrongful conviction.
In 2021, after 20 years in prison, Phipps was pardoned and released.
C-Murder
New Orleans rapper, C-Murder, was charged with second-degree murder in August, 2009. He has currently served more than 15 years in prison.
In January, 2002, a 16-year-old was shot and killed outside a nightclub after an altercation. He was beaten before the gun was fired. C-Murder had a retrial following the initial conviction and was placed under house arrest until his second conviction in 2009.
The case has gathered support from the Louisiana NAACP, the Supreme Court has been involved, and “Free C-Murder” has become a prominent campaign in the hip hop community.
Max B
Max B was sent to prison in September, 2009 for murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and conspiracy to armed robbery.
The Public Domain and Million Dollar Baby mixtape-maker took part in a hotel robbery that went very wrong. Max B wasn’t actually present at the robbery, but New Jersey justices claimed he was part of a conspiracy that led to a man being shot and killed. The rapper’s girlfriend at the time, plus another acquaintance, shot the man while trying to steal from his friend.
Since the original charge, Max’s sentence was reduced to 12 years for manslaughter, and he is due to be released this month.
Chi-Ali
The ‘Age Ain’t Nothin’ But a #’ rapper, Chi-Ali, entered prison in March 2001, and so far, he’s spent over 4,000 days there for manslaughter.
At the start of 2000, Chi-Ali was accused of being involved in the murder of his brother-in-law. After the shooting that killed the man, the rapper went on the run, spending more than a year with police officials searching for him. He even ended up on the US’ Most Wanted list. He was eventually found in 2001 and was charged with a 14-year sentence.
Does crime pay? No, it doesn’t. But rappers have also experienced serious injustices at the hands of the legal system. Let’s hope more members of the hip hop community continue making bars, rather than being behind them.