Boosie Badazz revealed over the weekend that he’s accepted a federal plea deal related to a gun charge. The Louisiana native—whose real name is Torrence Hatch Jr.—first faced weapons charges in 2023, only for the case to be dismissed. However, a new indictment followed the next year, reviving federal scrutiny.
“JUST ACCEPTED A PLEA FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON MY GUN CASE,” Boosie wrote on Twitter on August 4, as reported by The Shade Room. “I THOUGHT THIS CASE WAS OVER N I WAS GOING TO GET ON WITH MY LIFE BUT ‘GOD DONT MAKE MISTAKES’ N IM TIRED OF FIGHTING.”
In his post, Boosie underscored the emotional toll of the case and how family factored into his decision to stop contesting the charges. “TALKED TO MY FAMILY N THIS IS THE RIGHT DECISION,” he said, later adding, “TO ALL MY FANS ACROSS THE WORLD SAY A PRAYER FOR YA BOY N GO GET THE NEW ALBUM #wordsofarealone.” While the full terms of the plea remain sealed, the announcement leaves open questions about what lies ahead for the outspoken artist.
Boosie backs Arenas, fuels hip-hop bias debate
Boosie’s legal issues have been both persistent and public. After the initial 2023 charge, prosecutors brought fresh allegations in July 2024, including a drug-related count. The artist has also inserted himself into other high-profile controversies, most recently weighing in on the federal arrest of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas.
Arenas was briefly detained and later released on a $50,000 bond in connection to an alleged illegal gambling ring. Boosie responded online, not only questioning the charges but defending Arenas’s actions. “HE SET A POKER GAME AT HIS SPOT N WON OFF THE HANDS PLAYED. WTF. THATS THE SAME AS A GETTING A CUT OFF A DICE GAME THATS AT YOUR HOME N TO MILLIONAIRES THATS A CLEANING FEE,” he wrote. “YOU KNOW HOW MANY SUCCESSFUL ATHLETES, RAPPERS, COACHES, BUISNESS MEN N WOMEN CALL THEY FRIENDS OVER TO F*CKING GAMBLE. THESE R X PROFESSIONALS WHO ENJOY GAMBLIN.”
His comments reflect an ongoing frustration with what some artists see as double standards in how celebrity behavior—particularly in hip-hop—is policed. Boosie’s case, while unique in its details, echoes a broader pattern in hip-hop where legal entanglements often intersect with questions of profiling, cultural expression, and reputation. For some, these battles serve as cautionary tales. For others, they fuel conversations around systemic disparity.