As the world awaits the sentencing of Sean Diddy Combs’ in the final phase of his salacious federal case, there are whispers across political and entertainment circles alike that what ever sentence he receives might be undone by the highest office in the land. Word on the street is that President Trump may be eyeing a presidential pardon for the disgraced Bad Boy mogul. While nothing has been confirmed, it would not be the first time a hip hop figure has been granted a reprieve from a POTUS or Governor in our great republic.
While we wait for the result of these rumors and Diddy’s sentencing, we took a look at five names in Hip Hop who made headlines after receiving a pardon or commutation, changing the course of their lives and legacies.
Lil Wayne – Pardoned in 2021
Lil Wayne was staring down a federal weapons charge stemming from a 2019 arrest when he caught the attention of President Trump. After pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Wayne faced up to 10 years in prison. But just before Trump left office in January 2021, he granted the New Orleans rapper a full pardon, citing his charitable work and creative contributions to music.
Kodak Black – Sentence Commuted in 2021
Another Florida rapper also benefited from Trump’s final acts in office. Kodak Black had been serving time on a weapons charge after falsifying information on federal gun purchase forms. Trump commuted his sentence the same day he pardoned Lil Wayne. Kodak later thanked him publicly, saying the move gave him a second chance at life and freedom.
McKinley “Mac” Phipps – Granted Clemency in 2021
While not a presidential pardon, former No Limit Records rapper Mac was granted clemency by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards after serving over 20 years behind bars. Convicted in 2001 for manslaughter in a nightclub shooting, Mac long maintained his innocence. Advocacy from his family and national attention helped pave the way for his release in 2021.
John Forte – Pardoned in 2008
Grammy-nominated artist and former Fugees collaborator John Forte was granted a full pardon by President George W Bush in 2008. Forte had been serving a 14-year sentence after being convicted of trafficking liquid cocaine through Newark International Airport in 2000. After several years behind bars, a campaign led by Carly Simon and others helped bring attention to his case and ultimately contributed to his release.
NBA YoungBoy – Pardoned in 2024
NBA YoungBoy, one of the most streamed rappers of his generation, was recently granted a pardon by none other than President Trump for a previous firearms conviction that was set to hang a cloud over his career. On his new album MASA, Youngboy expressed Trump’s moves are great for the young generation on the single “XXX”: “Make America Slimy Again/ Whatever Trump doin’, b—h, it’s good for the youngins.”
With Diddy’s sentencing swiftly approaching and rumors swirling about a possible intervention from President Trump, the intersection of politics and hip hop remains as layered and complicated as ever. Whether or not a pardon comes, history shows that when music and power collide, anything can happen.