Murder Was The Case: 10 Rappers Charged With Murder

Suge Knight demonstrated that some people really are “about that life” when he caught brand new charges of murder and attempted murder after he ran over (and subsequently killed) a man with his car.

If he’s convicted of the charges, the former football player and Death Row titan could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

And while “studio gangstas” abound in droves in Hip-Hop today, there was a time when rappers really were about the life they rapped about. Here, then, is a list of rappers that caught (and sometimes, got convicted of) murder charges.

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Photo: WENN.com

10. RondoNumbaNine

They don’t call Chicago “Chiraq” for nothin’: last year, 17-year-old Chicago native RondoNumbaNine was on his way to becoming a household name in Hip-Hop. His video for the “Hang With Me” remix reached nearly 4 million views on the strength of his talent alone. But just as he was about to make a huge break, he was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the shooting death of livery driver Javan Boyd. What a waste.

9. Big Lurch

Big Lurch’s name doesn’t ring many bells in the Hip-Hop landscape, but he will go down in infamy as being one of the most brutal murderers in Hip-Hop history. On April 10, 2002, Lurch (real name: Antron Singleton) murdered Tynisha Ysais…by carving into her chest and eating her face and lung. (Dang, fam…) Despite claiming that he was high on the drug PCP at the time (thus pleading “not guilty by reason of insanity”), the Texas rapper was ultimately convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole.

8. C-Murder

Hard as it may be to believe that a man who goes by the name of “C-Murder” is capable of committing a crime of that magnitude (that was sarcasm…), Master P’s little brother was convicted of beating and shooting a 16-year-old fan in a Louisiana nightclub. For his role in the crime, he was sentenced to life in prison.

7. Cassidy

Though his career today is on par with that of, say, Papoose (I know, Cassidy…let it burn), in 2005 Cassidy caught charges of murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons possession in Philadelphia. When many of the witnesses withdrew their testimony, Cassidy ultimately was convicted of third-degree murder (i.e., involuntary manslaughter). He was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison, received credit for time served, and ultimately was released in March 2006 after serving only 8 months in jail.

6. Chi Ali

The youngest member of the Native Tongues Hip-Hop movement served 12 years in New York City’s infamous Sing Sing prison in connection with the 2000 shooting death of Sean Raymond in the Bronx. Chi Ali also has the distinction of being the only rapper to appear on America’s Most Wanted, after he went on the lam when the subsequent manhunt for him ensued.

5. Cool C

One of the pioneers of Hip-Hop is, unfortunately, better known for his role in the shooting death of a police officer, for which he is now sitting on death row in Pennsylvania. In 1996, he and two other rappers were robbing a bank when they shot and killed responding officer Lauretha Vaird. Recently, Cool C was granted a stay of execution — his second stay of execution since he was first convicted of the crime.

4. Young Thug

Originally, the charges against the “Stoner” rapper included murder…but ultimately, the charges that stand simply include reckless driving. His bail is still pending in Atlanta.

3. Bobby Shmurda

The newest entry into the murder hall of fame, Bobby Shmurda is currently facing second-degree murder charges (amongst a bevy of other accusations) in New York. His arrest came as a result of a task force that targeted him and at least 9 other people, including other members of his GS9 crew. If he’s convicted, the “Hot Ni***a” (why three “G”‘s, though? WHY?) rapper faces 25 years to life in prison. He’s currently being held on $2 million bail.

2. Gucci Mane

Part of Gucci’s appeal is that he looks so harmless. But the “Lemonade” rapper only looks cute and cuddly — in 2005, he was charged with murder in relation to the death of Pookie Loc, a Young Jeezy associate. The Atlanta rapper ultimately beat the charges, and taunted Jeezy with Pookie’s death in “The Truth.” (Let him have this one, Jeezy. Let him have this one.)

1. Snoop Dogg

People forget that, more than 20 years ago, “Snoop Lion” — the revered and chill elder statesman of the genre — was wild out here in these streets. In 1993, Snoop was charged with both first and second-degree murder in the shooting death of gang member Phillip Woldemariam in California. Prosecutor Bobby Grace used much of Snoop’s “violent imagery” as evidence of the rapper’s violent ways, but ultimately, the jury found Snoop and his bodyguard not guilty of all the charges against him.

Bernadette Giacomazzo invites you to talk to her on her website, www.bernadettegiacomazzo.com, or on her Twitter at @berngiacomazzo.