YNW Melly on trial: Rapper Fredo Bang releases ‘Free Melly’ song mentioning subpoena
Leondra Phillips has been grieving her 19-year-old son since his murder in 2018. For three weeks, she has been attending the Broward County murder trial of Florida rapper YNW Melly. On Thursday, she was finally able to testify.
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Kodak Black offers to pay college tuition for fallen FBI agents’ kids, reports say
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Fresh off getting clemency from outgoing President Donald Trump, Kodak Black is looking to help out the families of the two FBI special agents killed in Sunrise. The rapper from Pompano Beach reached out through his attorney to offer to pay the college tuition for the agents’ young children, according to multiple reports. Laura Schwartzenberger, who lived in Coral Springs, had two young children. The special agents — both of whom worked years protecting children from online crimes — were memorialized in separate services at Hard Rock Stadium this past weekend. AdTMZ reported that Kodak’s attorney Bradford Cohen send a letter to the FBI’s Miami division to make the offer about paying college tuition.
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Trump pardons Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and others with South Florida ties
MIAMI – When outgoing President Donald Trump released his list of pardons overnight, they included a handful of people with South Florida ties, the most notable of which are rappers Kodak Black of Pompano Beach and Lil Wayne, who owns a home here. In his final hours as president, Trump granted clemency to more than a hundred people. Lil Wayne was granted a full pardon. A commuted sentence was given to Palm Beach eye doctor Salomon Melgen, who is serving a 17-year federal sentence for healthcare fraud. A prison sentence was previously commuted for former Miami Beach businessman Philip Esformes.
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Lil Wayne, Kodak Black get clemency; Joe Exotic does not
President Donald Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of more than 140 people in a last-minute clemency flurry after midnight on Wednesday, a list that included rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. — Rapper Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was given a full pardon. In the pardon, Lil Wayne was praised for his “commitment to a variety of charities, including donations to research hospitals and a host of foodbanks.” Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders backed the pardon. Lil Wayne is one of the seminal figures in rap in the last two decades, selling more than 20 million albums in the U.S. since releasing his debut in 1999. Supporters included Gucci Mane, Lil Pump, Lil Yachty, and athletes Lamar Jackson and Jack Brewer.

Kodak Black sentenced to 46 months in federal prison
MIAMI - South Florida rapper Kodak Black was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison Wednesday. According to court documents, two of the weapons he managed to purchase were found at crime scenes. One gun was found at the scene of a Pompano Beach shooting in March, court documents said. Black was denied bond after U.S. attorneys appealed to a federal magistrate that Black presented a danger to the community. In late October, Black was reported as involved in a prison fight that left one guard hospitalized.

Kodak Black receives 46 months in federal prison
Kodak Black appeared in federal court Wednesday. The South Florida rapper faces up to 10 years in prison for falsifying information on an application to purchase guns. MIAMI - South Florida rapper Kodak Black was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison Wednesday. Black pleaded guilty in August to falsifying information on a gun application and faced up to 10 years in federal prison. He was denied bond after US attorneys appealed to a federal magistrate that Black presented a danger to the community.

South Florida rapper Kodak Black involved in prison fight
MIAMI - South Florida rapper Kodak Black was involved in a prison fight in Miami on Tuesday night that left one guard hospitalized. The fight which started between two inmates occurred at the Federal Detention Center at 33 Northeast 4th Street. It's not known if the rapper, whose real name is now Bill Kapri, was one of the first two inmates involved, of he joined in the fight after it started. Kapri pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges and was in the detention center as he awaits sentencing scheduled for Nov. 13. Prosecutors originally charged Black with crimes including falsifying information on federal forms to buy four firearms from a Miami-area gun shop on two separate occasions.

Rapper Kodak Black pleads guilty in federal weapons case
MIAMI - Rapper Kodak Black has pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges. Black entered the change of plea in Miami federal court Thursday, months after he had pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors in May charged the 22-year-old rapper for crimes including falsifying information on federal forms to purchase three firearms. Prosecutors said a weapon purchased by Black was found at the scene of a South Florida shooting. The rapper also faces drug, weapons and sexual assault charges in other states.