The Most Infamous Criminal Trials In Hip-Hop History, Ranked

Steady B and Cool C

Few episodes illustrate Hip-Hop’s fraught intersection with the law more starkly than the fall of Philadelphia pioneers Steady B and Cool C. In the late 1980s, Steady B helped lay the foundation for the city’s rap scene with releases like Bring the Beat Back and the Gold-certified single “Going Steady.”

Cool C found success with his Atlantic Records debut I Gotta Habit and the Billboard-charting “Glamorous Life.” Together, as C.E.B., they scored a Top 5 hit on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles with “Get the Point,” cementing their hometown acclaim before legal trouble derailed their momentum.

In 1996, both were implicated in a botched bank robbery in Philadelphia that resulted in the death of Police Officer Lauretha Vaird. Convicted in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, Cool C received a death sentence, while Steady B was sentenced to life imprisonment. Their convictions remain one of rap’s most sobering crime sagas, forever altering their legacy in the city they once helped soundtrack.

Remy Ma

At the height of her rising solo career, Remy Ma saw her momentum unravel after a 2007 altercation that led to serious criminal charges. Fresh off the success of her breakout single “Conceited (There’s Something About Remy)” and debut album, Remy had earned respect as one of New York’s fiercest lyricists.

On July 14, 2007, she was arrested for shooting her friend Makeda Barnes-Joseph outside a Manhattan nightclub after accusing her of stealing money. Remy Ma was charged with first-degree assault, attempted coercion, and weapons possession. Her trial began in early 2008 at the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan. On March 27, 2008, she was convicted of assault and weapons charges.

Remy Ma was sentenced to eight years in prison on May 12, 2008. Ultimately, she served approximately six years before her release in 2014, marking a dramatic interruption in a once-ascending career.

Boosie Badazz

Long before the legal drama that nearly cost him his life, Boosie Badazz was firmly entrenched as one of the South’s most influential voices in Hip-Hop. He also collaborated with frequent partner Webbie on mixtapes and projects that became staples of Dirty South rap, charting on Billboard and solidifying his regional and mainstream appeal.

In 2009, as his star was rising, Boosie was indicted in Baton Rouge on first-degree murder charges tied to a 2009 killing and faced possible capital punishment. Tried in the 19th Judicial District Court, he pled not guilty, and the case drew national attention with #FreeBoosie campaigns from fans and peers alike.

In 2012, a jury acquitted him of murder, though he later served time on drug-related charges. His vindication was widely celebrated across rap communities as a major legal victory for the Southern star.

C-Murder

Before the legal battle that would define much of his public life, C‑Murder was a key figure in the rise of Southern Hip-Hop in the 1990s.

A younger brother of Master P and core member of the No Limit Records family, C-Murder released a string of albums—Life or Death (1998) and Bossalinie (1999) among them—that charted on Billboard and helped solidify New Orleans’ impact on mainstream rap.

In 2002, C-Murder was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a teenager at a nightclub in Harvey, Louisiana. Tried in the 24th Judicial District Court, he initially pleaded not guilty. After his first conviction was overturned on procedural grounds, a 2009 retrial again resulted in a guilty verdict; he received a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole and remains incarcerated.

The case drew sustained regional and national coverage, with advocacy campaigns and celebrity support calling for a review. Unfortunately, a recent ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court determined that C-Murder had exhausted his rights to state-level post-conviction after his third appeal was unanimously denied.

YNW Melly

Jamell Maurice Demons, known professionally as YNW Melly, rose to prominence in 2018 with his breakout single “Murder on My Mind,” which later reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned multi-platinum certification in the United States. He followed with charting hits including “Mixed Personalities” (featuring Kanye West), “Suicidal,” and “223’s,” while his 2019 album Melly vs. Melvin debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.

In October 2018, two associates were fatally shot in Miramar. In February 2019, Melly was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, accused of staging the scene as a drive-by shooting. He pleaded not guilty. His 2023 trial ended in a mistrial after a hung jury, and prosecutors continue pursuing a retrial as of 2026.

Murder Inc.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Irv Gotti was one of hip‑hop’s most influential producers and executives. As co‑founder of Murder Inc. Records, he helped craft and executive‑produce breakout albums and hits for artists like Ja Rule, Ashanti, and others, contributing to multiple multi‑platinum records and earning industry accolades, including a Grammy for Ashanti’s debut album.

In 2003, federal authorities investigated alleged ties between Murder Inc. and notorious Queens drug figure Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, accusing Gotti and his brother of laundering more than $1 million in drug proceeds; prosecutors said McGriff supplied cash and influence to the label.

The Lorenzos were charged in federal court in 2005 but acquitted on all counts later that year after a high‑profile trial. Although never convicted, the investigation and its surrounding publicity dented Murder Inc.’s commercial momentum and public image, marking a notable chapter in early‑2000s hip‑hop business history

Lil’ Kim

In the early 2000s, as Lil’ Kim reigned as one of hip-hop’s most visible stars, her career was jolted by a criminal case tied to a brazen 2001 shootout outside New York’s Hot 97. The clash involved entourage members of Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Capone-N-Noreaga, escalating amid Foxy Brown’s appearance on Capone-N-Noreaga’s track “Bang Bang,” in which Foxy dissed Lil’ Kim, as well as Diddy, while throwing down the gauntlet in their heated beef.

The drama, which resulted in Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Suif “Gutta” Jackson receiving a twelve-year prison sentence for firing a machine gun during the incident, prompted Hot 97 to tighten security and avoid booking rival artists in close proximity. Kim was arrested in 2003 and later charged with perjury and conspiracy for lying to a federal grand jury about the incident. Her trial began in January 2005 at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

In March 2005, she was convicted of three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy. She was sentenced on July 6, 2005, to one year and one day in federal prison. Ultimately, she served about 10 months before her release in 2006.

BMF

The Black Mafia Family (BMF) was a major U.S. drug‑trafficking and money‑laundering organization founded in Detroit in the mid‑1980s by brothers Demetrius “Big Meech” and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, BMF had built an extensive cocaine distribution network spanning multiple states, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit revenue. Recognizing hip‑hop’s cultural reach, Big Meech launched BMF Entertainment in the early 2000s, cultivating ties with artists like Young Jeezy and associating with figures such as Jay‑Z, Fabolous, and Trina; the group’s lavish lifestyle and branding became iconic in rap lyricism and imagery.

In 2005, federal authorities indicted BMF, and in 2007, the Flenory brothers pled guilty to operating a continuing criminal enterprise involving large‑scale cocaine distribution. Both were sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment. BMF’s story has since influenced pop culture, including inspiring the Starz crime drama BMF, and left a lasting imprint on hip‑hop lore long after the original convictions

2 Live Crew

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, 2 Live Crew became one of hip‑hop’s most controversial and commercially successful acts, known for explicit lyrics, party‑oriented production, and a distinctly Miami bass sound.

Their 1989 album As Nasty As They Wanna Be spawned hits like “Me So Horny” and became the first in history to be declared legally obscene by a federal court. Their music also earned strong chart placements and multi‑platinum sales, solidifying their commercial impact. In 1990, members of the group and record store owners were charged under Florida obscenity laws in Fort Lauderdale over the distribution of As Nasty As They Wanna Be.

They pleaded not guilty, and following an initial ruling that the album was obscene, the decision was overturned on appeal in 1992, with the U.S. Court of Appeals affirming First Amendment protections for the music. No prison sentences resulted. The case became a landmark free speech battle in music history, with the group unleashing their 1990 album, Banned in the U.S.A., and embracing their fight against the powers that be.

Tory Lanez

Tory Lanez (Daystar Peterson) built a high‑profile rap and R&B career in the 2010s with a string of charting singles and albums. Lanez also scored notable projects like I Told You, Memories Don’t Die, The New Toronto 3, and Alone at Prom, which earned Top 10 placements on Billboard charts.

In July 2020, Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion in Los Angeles following a dispute; she sustained gunshot wounds to her feet and later publicly identified him as the shooter. In December 2022, a Los Angeles jury convicted Lanez on three felony counts related to assault with a semiautomatic firearm and related gun charges. In 2023, he was sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

The case dominated national conversation, spotlighting issues of violence, gender, and credibility in hip‑hop culture. As of early 2026, Lanez is serving his sentence and has continued legal appeals

Diddy

Federal authorities arrested Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2024 amid allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, and racketeering tied to events in Los Angeles and Miami. Prosecutors filed charges in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where he pleaded not guilty. Facing the possibility of life in prison if convicted on federal trafficking counts, the case generated global media coverage, trending across major platforms and dominating cable news cycles for weeks.

At the time, Diddy was a billionaire entrepreneur and cultural icon, making his downfall even more shocking. The trial’s proceedings became a flashpoint for discussions about power, abuse, and celebrity accountability. The mogul was eventually convicted of prostitution related charges and sentenced to 50 months in prison.

2Pac

In the early 1990s, 2Pac (Tupac Shakur) was already a transformative figure in hip‑hop, known for his socially charged lyrics, charismatic delivery, and albums like 2Pacalypse Now and Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z… In 1994, while at the height of his rising fame, Tupac was arrested in New York City on charges that included sexual abuse stemming from allegations by a woman he met at a nightclub.

Tried in the New York Supreme Court, he pleaded not guilty but was convicted in February 1995 of first‑degree sexual abuse and acquitted of the more serious sodomy charges. He was sentenced to 1½ to 4½ years in prison. To pursue an appeal, he served about nine months at Clinton Correctional Facility before being released on bail posted by music executive Suge Knight.

Snoop Dogg

In the early 1990s, Snoop Dogg emerged as one of hip‑hop’s most influential figures. He gained fame after costarring on Dr. Dre’s “Deep Cover” single and on his solo album, The Chronic, as well as on his own multiplatinum debut, Doggystyle.

Shortly after Doggystyle’s release, Snoop and his bodyguard were charged in Los Angeles Superior Court over a 1993 fatal shooting. He pleaded not guilty, and in 1996, a jury acquitted him of murder and related charges.

The trial, coming at the peak of his early fame, drew national media attention and fueled debates over gangsta rap’s influence. Though he served no prison time, the case became a defining cultural moment.

Young Thug and YSL

Arrested in May 2022 in Atlanta, Young Thug faced sweeping racketeering charges under Georgia’s RICO statute, accused of leading the YSL gang. Prosecutors alleged the collective functioned as a criminal enterprise responsible for violent crimes. The case was tried in Fulton County Superior Court and became Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial, drawing intense national coverage and millions of daily social media impressions.

Thug initially pleaded not guilty and faced decades in prison. By late 2024, he accepted a negotiated plea that spared him life imprisonment, receiving a lengthy probationary sentence after serving over two years in jail awaiting trial.

Puff Daddy and Shyne

Shyne Barrow emerged in the late 1990s as a prodigious force in the New York rap scene, captivating audiences with his deep, gritty voice and streetwise lyricism. His talent sparked a major label bidding war, ultimately landing him a deal with Bad Boy Records under Sean “Diddy” Combs. With his debut single “Bad Boyz”, Shyne quickly established himself as a rising star, blending raw storytelling with mainstream appeal and securing early acclaim.

On December 27, 1999, a nightclub shooting at Club New York in Manhattan left three people injured. Authorities charged Shyne and Diddy in connection with the incident; the case was prosecuted in the New York Supreme Court. During the high‑profile trial, Diddy was acquitted of all charges, while Shyne was convicted in 2001 of assault and gun possession. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, ultimately serving nearly nine years before his 2009 release and deportation to Belize.

The trial was a media spectacle — broadcast nationally and fueled by celebrity testimony and daily tabloid coverage — and is often remembered as one of the most explosive legal dramas the Hip-Hop world has witnessed to date.