Former Bad Boys Rapper Loon Released From Prison After Almost 9 Years

Loon

Harlem Rapper Loon Released From Prison After Almost 9 Years

Harlem native and former rapper Loon (real name Chauncey Hawkins) was released from prison (July 29) after serving almost 9 years in prison according to All Hip Hop. Loon was indicted on conspiracy to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin. The former rapper’s good behavior and a coronavirus outbreak at the Wildwood, Florida prison he was at, led to his release. Judge Terrance W. Boyle ruled that,

“The Court finds that a sentence reduction would neither minimize the seriousness of defendant’s offense nor frustrate the promotion of respect for the law and the goals of punishment. [Loon] has been in custody for over eight years. During that time, he has maintained good prison conduct.”

Loon now plans on taking care of his mom and grandmother now that he’s been released,

“My mother recently had a heart attack and had to get surgery and get a loop recorder implantation. She is in her late 60s. I’ve already lost my grandfather since I’ve been incarcerated and do not wish to lose her before my release. She could use my assistance to help care for her. My Grandmother is 90, and she is also ailing.”

Loon was a member of Diddy’s Bad Boy Records and his most well known single is “I Need A Girl (Part One)” which was released in February 2002 and featured Diddy and Usher. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The second part of the song, “I Need A Girl (Part 2)” was released in May 2002 and featured Diddy, Ginuwine, Mario Winans, and Tammy Ruggieri. The single was also successful and peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Loon released his self titled studio album on October 21, 2003 and peaked at number 6 on the Bilboard 200, with the lead single “Down For Me” featuring Mario Winans peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In July 2013, Loon plead guilty and was sentenced to 14 years in prison with a release date of August 2021. When he was locked up, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Amir Junaid Muhadith, while giving up rap and turned his life around.

In April 2019, activist Weldon Angelos launched a nonprofit organization called the Weldon Project, with a mission statement to enforce the First Step Act, which was signed by President Donald Trump in 2018. The First Step Act expanded compassionate release eligibility for prisoners and the right to appeal denials of prisoner’s requests for compassionate release to a court, as opposed to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

After the First Step Act was passed, Weldon’s first mission was Loon’s case. Weldon gathered high-profile industry names like Snoop Dogg, Faith Evans, Mary J. Blige and others to co-sign a petition that was eventually sent to President Donald Trump.

Judge Boyle reduced Loon’s sentence to time served and ordered that he be released from custody.

Loon

What are your thoughts on Loon being released from prison?