Strapped and Caught: 15 High-Profile Rappers Who Faced Severe Legal Heat Over Illegal Firearms

The culture of hip-hop often intertwines with the reality of street life and self-protection, leading many of the industry’s biggest stars to carry firearms. However, moving between states, especially through highly regulated spaces like airports, has led to a litany of felony charges, career crises, and even prison sentences for some of rap’s most iconic figures. This is a look at 15 high-profile rappers who faced major legal heat over weapons possession.

The Airport Epidemic: “Forgetting” the Heat

A surprising number of major artists have been arrested for loaded guns in their carry-on luggage, often attempting to board flights with weapons they claim they “forgot” were in their bags.

Waka Flocka Flame: Was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in October 2014 after TSA found a loaded handgun in his carry-on bag. He was charged with carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.
Master P: Was caught at Newark Liberty International Airport in 2003 when security found a handgun in his luggage, demonstrating how even business-minded moguls can face charges when crossing state lines.
Young Joc: Arrested at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in 2007 for carrying a concealed, semi-automatic handgun and ammunition, facing multiple felonies during the height of his fame.
Too Short: Attempted to bring a loaded handgun through security at Burbank Bob Hope Airport in 2014. He reportedly fled the scene before returning with his attorney and was cited for possession.
Travis Porter (Strap): Was caught at ATL in 2012 after TSA found a loaded 9mm handgun in his backpack, leading to a felony charge that threatened to derail his group’s career momentum.
Two Chains: Proved that non-firearm weapons can also lead to trouble when he was caught at LaGuardia Airport in May 2012 after TSA discovered brass knuckles—classified as a weapon—in his carry-on luggage.

Federal Offenses and Prohibited Weapons

For others, the charges were far more severe, involving high-powered, illegally modified, or stolen weapons that drew the attention of federal authorities.

T.I.: Had one of the most high-profile cases after his October 2007 arrest where federal agents found multiple firearms during a raid, including three machine guns and two silencers. As a convicted felon, he faced up to 30 years but ultimately served a prison sentence after an unusual plea deal that included 1,000 hours of community service.
Lil Wayne: As a convicted felon, he has faced multiple serious charges. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges after a gold-plated .45 caliber handgun was found on his private jet in Miami. He faced a decade in prison but was granted a presidential pardon from Donald Trump in January 2021.
Lil Zay Osama: Was arrested on federal charges in 2022 after allegedly leaving a modified Glock 22 with a “switch” in an Uber. The switch illegally converts the pistol into a fully automatic machine gun, dramatically increasing the severity of the charges under federal law.
Soulja Boy: Busted in January 2017 during a police raid that found a mini Draco AR-15 pistol at his home. The weapon was deemed an illegal assault weapon in California, leading to a probation violation.
Petey Pablo: In a more complex airport case, he was arrested in 2010 after TSA found a stolen 9mm pistol in his carry-on. He pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm and served 35 months in federal prison.
Lil Flip: Arrested during a traffic stop in Louisiana in December 2012 after police found a Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle along with drugs and fraud equipment in his vehicle.

Other High-Profile Cases

DMX: Faced multiple weapons charges throughout his life, including a bizarre 2004 incident at Kennedy Airport where he was found carrying a gun while trying to jack a car and claiming to be a federal agent.
Snoop Dogg: Also faced multiple weapons-related arrests, including an incident in 2006 at Burbank Airport where a gun and marijuana were found in his vehicle.
Nelly: In April 2015, police raided his tour bus in Tennessee and found drugs and multiple handguns, showing that even artists with a mainstream, pop-friendly image are not immune to serious weapons charges.

These cases collectively demonstrate the severe legal consequences—ranging from prison time to felony convictions—that await rappers who fail to distance themselves from firearms, especially in an era of heightened security and federal scrutiny.