For better or for worse, our culture is fascinated by celebrities who turn criminal.
But it's hard to believe someone so talented, so rich, and so famous could throw it all
away and land themselves in the slammer.
Sure, there are some celebrities that think they're above the law, and occasionally stars
don't end up serving their sentences.
But in reality, plenty of famous folks do get convicted for their terrible deeds.
From music industry heavyweight Phil Spector to rapper Vybz Kartel, here are the musicians
who are currently behind bars…and could be for a very long time.
DMX
With his gravelly voice, aggressive style, and obsession with dogs, DMX became one of
the hottest rappers of the late '90s and early 2000s.
But one of his biggest hits, "X Gon' Give It to Ya," is evidently not about paying taxes
to the government.
Billboard reported that in November 2017, DMX, who's real name is Earl Simmons, pleaded
guilty to tax evasion after a federal investigation revealed that he owed more than $1.7 million
in unpaid taxes.
According to Billboard, he was sentenced in early 2018 to one year behind bars.
DMX may be jammed up legally, but he's apparently still on-brand.
At his sentencing, the rapper reportedly requested to hear his own song, "Slippin'," before he…faced
the music.
C-Murder
For a hot minute in the late '90s and early 2000s, the rap world was dominated by the
No Limit label.
Founded by Master P, the label generated big hits for P and for his brothers Silkk the
Shocker and C-Murder, who's real name is Corey Miller.
According to Nola.com, C-Murder attended a rap battle at a Louisiana club in 2002.
Also at the club: 16-year-old fan Steve Thomas.
But at some point, a brawl broke out.
And according to MTV News, a jury determined that Miller delivered a fatal gunshot to the
teen, and was later sentenced to life behind bars.
"This is Jefferson Correctional Center.
They got me for second degree murder.
Something I didn't do.”
But fate may change for the rapper.
According to XXL, as of July 2018,
"Both key witnesses in the trial of C-Murder for his alleged role in a fatal 2002 nightclub
shooting have recanted their testimony identifying the rapper born Corey Miller as the gunman."
According to the mag, C-Murder's attorney is petitioning the court for a new trial.
Phil Spector
One of the most influential musical architects of all time, in the '60s, Phil Spector's "wall
of sound" production style influenced the sound of major bands like The Beach Boys and
The Rolling Stones.
According to MentalFloss, he also allegedly waved guns around the studio to intimidate
artists, reportedly taking aim at John Lennon, Leonard Cohen, Debbie Harry, and the Ramones.
According to The Telegraph, he also allegedly kept his wife, Ronettes singer Ronnie Spector,
imprisoned in their home.
This disturbing backstory came to a tragic head one night in February 2003.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Spector's chauffeur, who was waiting outside the home,
confirmed via testimony:
"[…] Spector emerged holding a revolver.
[…] Spector told him, 'I think I killed somebody.'"
40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson was dead.
That same month, she had met Spector while working at LA's House of Blues, and he allegedly
convinced her to go home with him, according to The Guardian.
Spector's first trial ended in a hung jury, but the LA Times reported that in 2009, he
was convicted of second-degree murder.
He was sentenced to life in prison and won't be eligible for parole until 2027.
Bobby Shmurda
Brooklyn rapper and viral dance creator Bobby Shmurda made a huge splash in the music industry
in 2014.
His breakout track was not only a top 10 hit, but the dance he created for the video became
a popular meme.
“Lotta people going around talkin bout grown man don't dance, gangsters don't dance.
I dance all day.”
But another place Shmurda was allegedly influential was within a New York street organization
called GS9 that was associated with drugs and violent crime.
According to the New York Daily News, Shmurda was arrested in June 2014, for allegedly having
a gun at a friend's Brooklyn apartment.
He reportedly claimed the weapon was just a prop, saying,
"I use my gun for videos — I'm a rapper."
In September 2016, Shmurda reached a deal in court, pleading guilty to one count of
conspiracy and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in exchange for a seven-year sentence,
according to the New York Daily News.
Shmurda claimed in a 2018 interview that he could be released early, in 2020.
Vybz Kartel
He helped popularize the amped-up form of reggae known as dancehall.
Vybz Kartel has also collaborated with the likes of Rihanna, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Missy
Elliott, and Pitbull.
His track "Rampling Shop" was a U.S. radio hit, even though it was banned in his native
Jamaica for obscene lyrics.
But that's far from the most controversial moment in Kartel's life.
In 2011, police alleged Kartel killed and mutilated a member of his inner circle, Clive
"Lizard" Williams, because he believed Lizard stole two guns from him and other members
of his crew, according to The Guardian.
After a 65-day trial, reportedly the longest in Jamaican history, Kartel was sentenced
to life behind bars, with a parole hearing in 2049.
Three members of Kartel's crew were also sentenced.