Lil Wayne received a full presidential pardon and Kodak Black received a commutation from Donald Trump in the president’s final term, CNN and Reuters report. The two rappers’ postponement comes amid a barrage of pardons as some of the outgoing president’s final acts. Other names on the President’s pardon and commutation list include Steve Bannon, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and Michael “Harry-O” Harris, co-founder of Death Row Records.
In November, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced that Wayne was on a federal gun charge in a December 2019 incident at Miami-Grandpa Locka Executive Airport. According to the Miami Herald, the Miami Dade police gave federal authorities a hint that a private plane transporting Lil Wayne from California to Florida was also carrying marijuana and guns. The rapper was accused of possessing a firearm and ammunition from a convicted criminal. He pleaded guilty in December and faced up to 10 years in prison.
Wayne’s pardon statement released by the White House notes the rapper’s commitment to charity and cites the support of Sovereign Brands’ Brett Berish (who describes him as “trustworthy, kind and generous”) and Deion Sanders (who calls him “a provider.” for his family, a friend to many, a man of faith, a natural giver for the less fortunate, a trailblazer, [and] a game changer ”).
Kodak Black’s current verdict comes from a May 2019 arrest for paperwork stated that he was not charged while attempting to buy firearms. At the time he was in custody in South Carolina for sexual assault. In March 2020, Kodak Black pleaded guilty to being in possession of a second-degree criminal possession after being arrested on the US-Canada border in April 2019. The rapper was in jail when Trump pardoned him on his last day in office.
The White House official statement on the conversion of Kodak Black mentioned support from Gucci Mane, Lil Yachty, Lil Pump, Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens players, and others. “Before his conviction and after his success as a recording artist, Kodak Black was deeply involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors,” the statement said. “Indeed, he is committed to supporting a variety of charitable endeavors, including providing educational resources to students and families of fallen law enforcement officers and the disadvantaged.”
Trump also reversed the judgment of Michael “Harry-O” Harris, co-founder of Death Row Records. Harris had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for 30 years in prison for first degree murder conspiracy. “He is a former entrepreneur and has mentored and taught fellow inmates how to start and run businesses,” the White House statement said. “He has completed courses in business and journalism.” Snoop Dogg allegedly championed Harris’ commutation.
Days before the 2020 presidential election, Lil Wayne tweeted a photo with Trump and appeared to be giving his approval. Just had a great meeting with [Donald Trump]”Wayne tweeted.” Aside from what he’s done with criminal reforms so far, the Platinum Plan will give the community real property. He listened to what we had to say today and assured us that he will and can do it. “Joe Biden won the election.
This article was originally published on January 20 at 12:05 am Central. It was last updated on January 20 at 12:40 am Central.
