Swagger Incarcerated

With 2010 under way I thought it might be helpful to have a look at the past years that were jam packed with scandals and premature deaths. While everyone else was mourning at the loss of the King of Pop, it was hard for me not to notice the hottest trend...court cases and prison sentences!!!

5. "The King" T.I.

Popular rapper T.I. was at the peak of his career starring alongside Denzel Washington in American Gangster as well as being among Hip-Hop's most elite. Last year he was sentenced to one year and a day in a correctional facility for federal gun charges making this his second visit to prison after similar charges back in 1997. The rapper once called "Jay-Z of the South" by Pharrell Williams, was caught in possession of illegal firearms. He is expected to be released March this year.

4. Ne-Yo

Singer, song-writer, producer, actor. Ne-Yo seems to have done it all, and there's not many that aren't keen to work with him. Having written and co-produced Beyonce's number one hit Irreplaceable he was personally contacting by Michael Jackson to work on his new album. But in early 2008 Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, was arrested for reckless driving without a valid license as seen in the very flattering picture above. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 24 hours of community service.

3. Katt Williams

Popular comedian Katt Williams was almost on his way to the top. Having supporting roles in films such as The Last Holiday and more famously Friday After Next. There were very few that couldn't find his high pitched voice and topical humour funny. Yet in November last year he was arrested for... burglary??? He was caught breaking into someone's home stealing items including jewellery, this was his apparent second run in with law after being caught in possession of fire arms as well as driving without a license plate. Williams claims all accusations are false.

2.Lil' Wayne

It seems like only yesterday that not many knew the name Lil' Wayne. After being catapulted into the limelight with the success of his single Lollipop, he was been met with a number of collaborations and top ten singles. Including Cant Believe it with T.Pain and the Grammy Award Winning single Swagga Like Us with T.I. Jay-Z and Kanye West. Despite his success it seems Lil' Wayne can't stay away from trouble. He has been arrested a number of times for drug possession, almost as much as Bobby Brown, and has recently pleaded guilty to gun possession. He is expected to serve one year in prison. His sentencing begins in February.

1.

And the number one spot of course goes to...you guessed it...Chris Brooooooooown!!!!

2009 really was the most media coverage Chris Brown has had and for the most will ever see. A very public break up with his girlfriend Rihanna left the ex-Wrigley's poster boy named and shamed. Charged with domestic violence where Rihanna suffered "horrific injuries" including bite marks on her arms. The disgraced singer of course did not face any jail time, but a restraining order that bids him to keep at least 100 yards away from her and six months of community service.

I must say that Katt Williams is by far the most surprising. Burglary? I mean come on! We all know that stuff he stole he could've just bought with his own money anyway. But still, through the past years we've seen the most successful and not so successful with countless run ins with the law. With the many eyes locked on all these figures one would think that they would tread much more softly but as we constantly see, it truly does pay to be young in Hollywood. In spite of the seriousness of their charges they are sentenced with many see little or no jail time at all. Is there really justice in young Hollywood?