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On his final day in office, Donald Trump issued a list of pardons and commutations. Trump pardoned a total of 73 people and commuted the sentences of 70 others.The majority of pardons and commutations appear to be awarded to individuals who had close ties to the president or whose cases were championed by advocates. Among the list were Trump’s allies, including former chief strategist Steve Bannon and former top fundraiser Elliott Broidy. The list also included some notable names in hip-hop, including Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, and prominent executives like Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez.
For those who are unaware, a clemency is a general term for granting a convicted person relief from a prison sentence or other legal consequences. The two primary methods of clemency are pardons and commutations, which come with different plans or actions by the government and law enforcement. A pardon is an action taken by the government to relieve a convicted person of all or some of legal consequences from their conviction. A commutation is the decision to reduce the punishments of a conviction. Usually, a commutation results in a reduced prison term or reduced court-ordered fines.
Here’s a breakdown of each of Trump’s pardons and commutations of notable hip-hop figures.
Kodak Black
Type of action: Commutation
What was his legal issue? Kodak Black was sentenced to 46 months in prison for federal weapons charges in 2019 after admitting to falsifying information on federal forms to buy four firearms. He obtained a 9mm handgun, a .380-caliber handgun and a semi-automatic Mini Draco weapon.
What explanation has been given for the commutation? Kodak Black served nearly half of his 46-month sentence. The White House press secretary wrote that the rapper is a “prominent artist and community leader,” citing his involvement in philanthropic efforts, including providing educational resources to students and families of slain law enforcement officers and providing food and supplies for underprivileged students and families. The press secretary also says Kodak Black donated $50,000 to David Portnoy’s Barstool Fund, which provides relief funds to small businesses affected by Covid-19. “This commutation is supported by numerous religious leaders, including Pastor Darrell Scott and Rabbi Schneur Kaplan,” the statement notes. “Additional supporters include Bernie Kerik, Hunter Pollack, Gucci Mane, Lil Pump, Lil Yachty, Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, Jack Brewer formerly of the National Football League, and numerous other notable community leaders.”
It’s also worth noting that his attorney Bradford Cohen was a contestant on the 2004 season of Donald Trump’s NBC reality show The Celebrity Apprentice. Trump, who had a friendly relationship with the attorney, has called Cohen a “brilliant guy” who is “doing wonderful things for Florida.”
What about his other legal issues? Kodak’s other ongoing legal case, regarding first-degree criminal sexual assault, is still pending. In 2016, the rapper was accused of pinning down and rapping a woman in a South Carolina hotel. Officials confirmed the alleged victim was a minor at the time of the assault. If convicted, Kodak Black faces up to 30 years in prison. He is currently out on bond in that case.
Lil Wayne
Type of action: Pardon
What was his legal issue? In December 2020, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge after he carried a handgun from California to Florida on his private jet in 2019. Wayne’s attorney Howard Srebnick said in a statement to Complex that the “gold-plated firearm, which Mr. Carter never operated, is a collector’s piece, given to him as a Father’s Day gift.” The rapper posted a $250,000 bond in November 2020, and was due back in court on January 28 for sentencing. The charge carried a maximum of 10 years in prison.
What explanation has been given for the pardon? Lil Wayne famously expressed his support for Trump in the days leading up to the 2020 presidential election. On October 29, 2020, the rapper revealed that he had a “great meeting” with the former president at the White House, sharing a photo of the two together. Trump also claimed Lil Wayne to be a “really nice guy.” Lawyer Bradford Cohen recently told The New York Timesthat Lil Wayne’s weapons charge was not the reason for his pre-election support, but it “may have ultimately been a factor” in Trump’s pardon decision. The White House press secretary’s statement says, “Mr. Carter has exhibited this generosity through commitment to a variety of charities, including donations to research hospitals and a host of foodbanks.” Deion Sanders, who wrote in support of his pardon, argued that Wayne is “provider for his family, a friend to many, a man of faith, a natural giver to the less fortunate, a waymaker, and a game changer.”
Desiree Perez
Who is she? CEO of Roc Nation
Type of action: Pardon
What was her legal issue?: In 1994, Perez was arrested for the possession of 35 kilos of cocaine. She eventually struck a deal with the DEA to become a cooperating witness, agreeing to wear hidden wires in her meetings with major drug traffickers. Her cooperation helped federal prosecutors break up drug deals in Puerto Rico and Colombia.
What explanation has been given for the pardon? The White House press secretary’s statement says, “Since her conviction, Ms. Perez has taken full accountability for her actions and has turned her life around. She has been gainfully employed and has been an advocate for criminal justice reform in her community.” Perez and Roc Nation have notably been avid supporters of criminal justice reform. In 2019, they launched the REFORM initiative alongside Meek Mill, and have partnered with various organizations such as the NFL and U.S. Open to advocate for social justice. In a statement following the news, Perez said, “I’m grateful to have received a pardon and to have formally closed that chapter of my life in the eyes of the law. I have taken full accountability for my mistakes from 25 years ago, but I also take tremendous pride in my personal growth, perseverance and accomplishments since then. This pardon reinforces my lifelong commitment to advocate for criminal justice reform and social justice initiatives.”
Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris
Who is he? Michael “Harry-O” Harris was a music executive best known for co-founding and financing Death Row Records in the 1990s. He contends that he put up $1.5 million in 1991 to launch Death Row following a visit from Suge Knight.
Type of action: Commutation
What was his legal issue? In 1988, Michael Harris was convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and cocaine dealing. According to filings from his attorneys, Harris petitioned to be released due to “suffering badly for around a week and remains in a fatigued and weakened condition.” He was originally scheduled to be released in October 2028.
What explanation has been given for the commutation? Harris has served 30 years of his 25-years-to-life sentence. The White House notes, “Mr. Harris is a 59 year old who has served 30 years of a 25 year to life sentence for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Mr. Harris has had an exemplary prison record for three decades. He is a former entrepreneur and has mentored and taught fellow prisoners how to start and run businesses. He has completed courses towards business and journalism degrees. Upon his release, Mr. Harris will have a meaningful place of employment and housing with the support of his family.” Alice Johnson, whose life sentence was commuted by Trump in 2018, told The Daily Beastthat she had begun lobbying Ivanka Trump and White House chief of Staff Mark Meadows for Harris’ release in August 2020. “The president knows how much this case means to me,” she said. “In reviewing Michael Harris' case, his story, and what he's gone through, this is such an unfair case… He should have been home a decade ago.” Snoop Dogg, who pushed for Harris’ pardon said, “That’s great work for the president and his team on the way out. They did some great work while they was in there and they did some great work on their way out.”