We always see the glamorous side of entertainment … popping bottles in VIP, impressive tour buses providing comfort while on the road, and non-top partying from city to city. But everything isn’t Maybachs and gold for some rappers. With partying comes the rock star lifestyle of Mary Jane, guns and trouble. Here’s our list of top 10 famed rapper drug arrests.
No. 1 – Soulja Boy
In case you’ve been under a rock, Soulja Boy has been on every news station and media outlet for his recent arrest on weapons and drug charges. The 21-year-old rapper, De’Andre “Soulja Boy” Way, was arrested in Temple, Ga., after police found a “substantial amount” of marijuana, gun, and cash in his vehicle. The total was roughly around $70,000 in cash and drugs. We hope he cleans his act up soon and turns things around before it’s too late.
No. 2 – T.I.
Recently released from prison and making every effort to stay out of trouble, Tip has been in the news for a few arrests. Following his seven-month prison stint for a felony gun charge, the rapper and his ride-or-die wife, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, were booked in September 2010 on felony possession of drugs charges. Next time he’ll think twice before making an illegal U-turn with drugs in the car.
No. 3 – Big Boi
Booked for trying to get his groove on, Big Boi was charged August 2011 with one count of drug possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of possession of a controlled substance. He dodged a bullet and made a plea, avoiding jail time. Big Boi has to submit to three months of drug testing, perform community service, and $2,000 charitable donations.
No. 4 – Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. may be on the clean and sober road right now, but we can’t forget his past troubled drug track record. Back in 2008 Weezy was arrested on three felony drug charges after federal agents found nearly 4 ounces of marijuana and just over an ounce of cocaine, on his charter bus at a checkpoint in Arizona. We’re glad you cleaned it up Weezy.
No. 5 – Wiz Khalifa
It’s official … no one’s safe when it comes to Mary Jane. Not even known pothead Cameron “Wiz Khalifa” Thomaz. He was arrested back in November of 2010 when police officers smelled a “strong odor of marijuana emanating from the bus and the backstage area of the auditorium” where he’d performed. Our question is … why were they surprised?
No. 6 – Kid Cudi
We are starting to notice a trend with these drug arrests. Marijuana won the battle again after “Day and Night” rapper Kid Cudi was charged in 2010. He assured fans that he quit the “hard drugs” and was just a marijuana addict, because he was determined to live past the age of 27. Looks like he’ll keep his promise … the lonely stoner is currently drug free.
No. 7 – Ra Diggs
The Murda Team emcee featured on Waka Flocka Flame’s “Flockaveli” was arrested in New York City for involvement in narcotics distribution in Brooklyn N.Y.’s Gowanus housing projects. Diggs had been in an undercover investigation by police since 2008 for 65 drug buys and four murders in the Gowanus Houses. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
No. 8 – Bruno Mars
OK, so he’s not a rapper and definitely not a pick you may have thought to end up on this list. R&B singer Bruno Mars made a big mistake back in October of 2010 where he was officially charged with felony drug possession. After his performance at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a bathroom attendant snitched on him to security that he was taking too long in the bathroom and must be using drugs. He was accused of having 2.6 grams of cocaine in his possession at the time of arrest.
No. 9 – Petey Pablo
Who tries to sneak weapons onto airplanes these days? Oh yes, Petey Pablo does. In September of 2010 the then-37-year-old rapper was on his way to Los Angeles to the VMAs when he was stopped by airport security for allegedly trying to sneak a gun into his carry on luggage. He was charged with being a felon with a gun and carrying a concealed, stolen weapon … ouch.
No. 10 – Ja Rule
Yet another gun and drug charge. Ja Rule pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon stemming from the night of July 2007 in which the Murder Inc. star and rapper Lil Wayne were arrested — separately — following a New York City concert performance. He could have faced up to 15 years in prison but instead faced a two-year prison sentence.
