Bobby Shmurda might not be the only rapper being sprung from prison this week. According to the Huffington Post, former No Limit Records rapper Mac is one step closer to clemency after 21 years behind bars. On Monday (February 22), the Louisiana Parole Board voted unanimously to start the process.
During the hearing, Mayor Tony Marabella commended Mac for not having any disciplinary write-ups and doing some “good things” while he’s been in prison. With a corrections officer sitting behind him, Mac looked on, nodding his head as Marabella voted for “immediate parole eligibility.”
The case now goes to the desk of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) for sign-off. If approved, Mac will be required to appear before the parole board one more time.
Mac was convicted in 2001 of manslaughter in the shooting death of 19-year-old concertgoer Barron “Bookie” Victor Jr. at a nightclub in St. Tammany Parish, something he’s consistently denied. Over the years, his legal team has fought valiantly to commute his 30-year sentence after a series of investigative reports exposed flaws in his conviction.
Unbreakable: Former No Limit Star Mac Tells All From Prison
Despite the good news from the Louisiana Parole Board, Mac’s wife Angelique Phipps is taking it slow and saving the celebration until there’s an official decision.
“On behalf of friends and family, we sincerely thank everyone from every corner for the outpouring of love and support,” she wrote in a recent Instagram post. “While we are one major step closer to freedom and rectification, we are however still exercising patience and caution to see this process through to the end.
“When all is said and done, we’re hopeful that our situation will bring to light many comparable cases, allowing those in similar circumstances to avoid these hardships and to have justice prevail. We are deeply dedicated to this cause every day. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and remain sharing your positive encouragement. Our goal is in sight and we will get to the finish line.”
Born in 1977, Mac grew up in New Orleans’ 3rd Ward as the eldest of six and began rapping as a kid. In 1990, he dropped his debut album The Lyrical Midget at just age 13 under the Lil Mac moniker with production from legendary beatsmith Mannie Fresh.
With an offer from Def Jam Recordings, Mac ultimately decided to sign with Master P’s imprint and found success as a solo artist and member of the 504 Boyz. During the course of his career, the now-43-year-old released two solo albums and one album with 504 Boyz, including 1998’s Shell Shocked, which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200.
Judging by Mac’s Instagram account, he stayed incredibly productive in prison and clearly made an impact on the board.
Check out some of the posts below.
Great news.
About fucking time.
What Jaggalo said…
Amazing news. Hopefully, we’ll see something for C-Murder and B.G. too?
This is great news. While you see some dudes who get released keep that knucklehead mentality, it’s clear to see that Mac has completely turned his life around and is doing a lot of good in the world. Very happy for him
Hopefully these new school rappers pay homage to mac and hopefully c murda when they come home soon. Without no limit southern rap aka hip hop woulnt be close to what it is. No limit popularized party hood music hard beats heavy bass all in have fun without all that northern logical shh or west coast convertible laid back shh hell or even bars sometimes literally at its best. Look at hip hop today and well since lil jon 2002-4 its southern ran or yall jacking our style to sale. Its funny when new yorkers trying to sound southern for ppl to listen on roddy rich from la jacks young thug n atl whole vibe like hes been in atl his whole life .
Real Talk! #504 4LYFE!
Omg this is like 21yrs overdue. Anybody that dont know about mac is missing out. 4real you gotta go through dudes music because out of any soldier including mystikal Mac was the best lyricist out of everybody. This dude can spit Shell Shockey is a cd that u can let play w out skipping anything and ww3 is just as good. This dude is one of hip hops best unknown secret I dont pray but you’ll be sure im praying for this come home mac we need you keep your head up. Oh 1 last thing if any rapper deserves a presidential pardon its this dude he shouldn’t have been there from the jump 4real
WAYNE ,& Mac da most lyrical out our city,if nobody dont know bout Mac they sleep!We gone pray you step back into da free world and hit that studio,music today is TRASH my brudda!Keep head up you will be out soon!Free Mac,B.g.,C!