MUSICIANS BEHIND BARS (PART TWO)

Last week, I published an article featuring a list of musicians who've been charged with breaking the law (click here to check that out). But what the aforementioned article failed to mention, is that many more musicians could have also been added to this list. A musician like Eminem, for instance, who in June 2000, was charged with pistol-whipping a man who allegedly kissed his wife. Or alternatively, I could likewise refer to...

James Brown (James Joseph Brown)

Born: May 3, 1933, in Barnwell, South Carolina, USA / Claim to fame: Singer, dancer, bandleader, and progenitor of funk music / Some of their popular songs: 'Please, Please, Please' (1956), 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' (1965), and 'Living in America' (1985) / Years active: 1954 to 2006

Summary of the crime: James entered the insurance company next to his office, brandishing a gun, and complained about people using his bathroom until the police arrived and he tried to escape in his truck / Charged with: Carrying a deadly weapon at a public gathering, attempting to flee the police, and driving under the influence of drugs / Date and location: September 1988, in Augusta, Georgia, USA / Outcome: He was found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison, but only served approximately two to three years.

Snoop Dogg (Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.)

Born: October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California, USA / Claim to fame: Rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor / Some of their popular songs: 'Who Am I? (What's My Name?)' (1993), 'Drop It Like It's Hot' (2004), and 'Signs' (2005) / Years active: 1991 to the present day

Summary of the crime: Snoop was accused of shooting and killing a 20-year-old man named Philip Woldermariam, who was an Ethiopian immigrant and a member of a rival gang / Charged with: First-degree murder / Date and location: August 1993, in Los Angeles, California, USA / Outcome: He was acquitted because Philip was actually killed by Snoop's bodyguard, McKinley Lee, who was also acquitted.

Tupac Shakur (Lesane Parish Crooks)

Born: June 16, 1971, in Manhattan, New York City, USA / Claim to fame: Rapper, songwriter, activist, and actor / Some of their popular songs: 'Holler If Ya Hear Me' (1993), 'Dear Mama' (1995), and 'All Eyez on Me' (1996) / Years active: 1989 to 1996

Summary of the crime: Tupac and two other men were accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman named Ayanna Jackson, who they met at a nightclub / Charged with: Sodomy and the illegal possession of a firearm, which was later changed to sexual abuse / Date and location: November 1993, in Manhattan, New York City, USA / Outcome: Even though he was cleared of sodomy and the associated firearm charge, Tupac was convicted of sexual abuse and served nine months of a four and a half year prison sentence.

50 Cent (Curtis James Jackson III)

Born: July 6, 1975, in Queens, New York City, USA / Claim to fame: Rapper, songwriter, actor, and businessman / Some of their popular songs: 'In da Club' (2003), 'Just a Lil Bit' (2005), and 'First Date' (2012) / Years active: 1996 to the present day

Summary of the crime: 50 Cent sold four vials of cocaine to an undercover police officer, and later, the police found heroin, crack cocaine, and a starter's pistol in his apartment / Charged with: Selling and possessing illegal drugs and the unlawful possession of a weapon / Date and location: June 1994, in Queens, New York City, USA / Outcome: He pled guilty and was sentenced to three to nine years in prison, but served six months in a boot camp where 50 Cent earned his high school equivalency diploma.

Jay-Z (Shawn Corey Carter)

Born: December 4, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York City, USA / Claim to fame: Rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur / Some of their popular songs: 'Can't Knock the Hustle' (1996), 'I Know' (2007), and 'Part II (On the Run)' (2014), featuring his wife, Beyoncé / Years active: 1986 to the present day

Summary of the crime: Jay-Z was accused by the record executive, Lance 'Un' Rivera, of stabbing him while they were at the now-defunct Kit Kat Klub / Date and location: December 1999, in Manhattan, New York City, USA / Charged with: Felony assault with a deadly weapon, which later changed to third-degree assault / Outcome: Despite Lance renouncing his accusation in 2023, Jay-Z pled guilty to a reduced charge of third-degree assault and was sentenced to three years probation.

Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson)

Born: August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, USA / Claim to fame: Singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, philanthropist, and member of the pop group, the Jackson 5 / Some of their popular songs: 'Billie Jean' (1983), 'Thriller' (1983), and 'Bad' (1987) / Years active: 1964 to 2009

Summary of the crime: A 13-year-old boy called Jordan Chandler accused Michael of sexually abusing him, which was backed up by his father, Evan Chandler / Charged with: Child molestation and intoxicating a minor / Date and location: December 2003, in Santa Barbara, California, USA / Outcome: He was tried in court and eventually acquitted.

So, what do you think of all that, folks? What do you think of this subsequent list of musicians who've been charged with breaking the law? Are you surprised to see James Brown on this list? (😲) Or are you happy to find out that Snoop Dogg beat the rap? (👊) Either way, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.