5 Rappers Who Turned Their Lives Around With Music

In the short story "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin, the narrator had a younger brother named Sonny who was arrested for selling and using heroin. Sonny had a drug addiction problem but when he was released from jail he told his brother he dreamed of becoming a jazz pianist. Sonny would skip class and constantly practice playing his music. One day, Sonny invited his brother to a small jazz club where everyone knew who Sonny was and respected him for his music. The narrator watched Sonny carefully and realized who Sonny really was because he can see his pure emotions that came from his music. Many musicians today have struggled early on in their life with violence or drug addiction but have used music to find their way out of that. These 5 American rappers are just some musicians who made it out of their struggle and are now positively changing themselves and people around them.

1. Gucci Mane

Gucci Mane is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. Gucci is notoriously known for causing problems and used to be a drug dealer. Here’s a list of crimes he has been charged with: possession of cocaine, murder charge, probation violation, several traffic charges, battery charge, aggravated assault, reckless and disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, firearm possession. His most recent arrest was in 2013 when he was caught with a handgun on him. He was released in 2016 and the hip hop culture was buzzing. It was all over social media but unexpectedly people started calling him a clone. Fans could not recognize the new Gucci Mane as he lost weight and spoke in a different way. In an interview Gucci says, “Prison was one of the best things that ever happened to me, looking back on it”. He emphasizes that being in a maximum-security facility full of violence and rage was a life-changing experience. Being in jail cut a line in the sand where he did not talk to many people who were always causing trouble with him. Today, Gucci is working out, eating right, and spending most of his time in the studio. Gucci also said in an interview that his drug addiction days are over and the sober Gucci is here to stay. He recently got married and is living happily.

2. PnB Rock

PnB Rock is an American hip-hop artist born in Philadelphia. When PnB was 15, his uncle was murdered and this made him go mad. He started causing trouble by selling drugs and robbing people. By age 19, he was sent to a Pennsylvania for 33 months and then he realized it wasn’t for him. He wanted to stop being trouble and started to make music. His debut mixtape was made in prison but it didn’t give him any recognition at first. When he was released from prison, he was left homeless and with nothing. But soon enough Atlantic records signed the rapper to a multi-album deal. Ever since then he has been climbing the charts and giving the world music that has positive vibes to it. He emphasizes the message he wants to put out is for peace and love instead of the typical cold and hateful music that we get from rappers today.

3. Chief Keef

Chief Keef is a rapper from Chicago who has been involved in a lot of trouble throughout his life. His first incident that got him arrested was when he fired gunshots into a neighborhood and was charged with unlawful use of a weapon. Keef gained popularity from local high school students playing and sharing his music. While he was blowing up Keef was still making poor decisions. In 2011, he was charged with heroin manufacture and distribution. Later that year he flashed a gun at a police officer and lead them on a chase. He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and unlawful use of a weapon. Since then he’s been involved in a lot of legal trouble but he recently changed his outlook on life and what he really wants to make of what he has. He moved to LA because he loves the peace he has there and not having to hear gunshots. Even his addiction to guns is being coped with by going paint-balling. Since his trouble he arranged to host a hologram concert to support the death of a toddler involved in a shooting. He has been staying out of trouble and linking with some of the biggest names in music.

4. XXXtentacion

XXXtentacion is an American rapper from Florida who gained fame while in jail. He was put in jail for gun possession charges but met a rapper who also blew up in jail named Ski Mask the Slump God. They both would freestyle in jail and help each other with their music. Ski Mask was released as he was in there for possession of marijuana and so was X but he found his way back shortly after he was released. He was charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon in 2016 but then released on bail. Again shortly after his release he was charged with false imprisonment, witness tampering, and aggravated battery of a pregnant victim. He is still awaiting the trial for this case but X has found himself through music and has been pushing positive messages since these incidents. He recently donated $100,000 to domestic violence prevention programs in order to show support for victims and the cause. His music targets anyone who is depressed or suicidal because he has always had that problem and shows that through his lyrics. Fans are able to relate and this connection shows them they aren’t alone. Overall, X has been sending positive messages and showing he’s changed since jail and what he has done.

5. Tee Grizzley

Tee Grizzley is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. Grizzley was sentenced to three years in a Kentucky prison for home invasion and robbery charges. He planned out his music career and what he wanted to do while in jail. As soon as he was released from jail in October 2016 he started to put together everything and eventually released his song “First Day Out” in November 2016. A couple more songs after that and he was recognized by the world. He has already been nominated twice for BET Hip Hop awards in less than a year since starting his music career. He has always been struggling as his father was murdered in 2012 and his mother was sent to prison for drug trafficking charges. He said he remembers thinking, “I ain’t never gone make it up out of here.” while in the Kentucky prison. But since his released Tee has realized that life isn’t for him and he mentions that in his lyrics. In his music he speaks to the youth that are troubled just like how he was and how there is a way out. This hopefully inspires many kids to be better people and not follow the path Tee took in his youth.