J Cole, 25, is best known for being the first artist to be signed by Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation. In his latest album, he teamed up with another ‘well-behaved’ rapper Drake for the single, “In The Morning.”
(Photo: Chance Jackson for TheFabEmpire.com)
March 28, 2012: Singer Drake seen leaving Nobu Berkeley ST in Mayfair, London, UK. Mandatory Credit: INFphoto.com Ref.: infuklo-105/ASI 121237
Will Smith, 42, has come a very long way from the show that helped spark his superstar status, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. To date, our “Fresh Prince” has never been arrested.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Nicki Minaj, 25, has built a reputation for being one of the strongest female rappers in the game right now. Although her aggressive and unrestrained lyrics may give her a ‘bad girl’ reputation, she still made our list.
(AP Photo/Jeffrey M. Boan)
LL Cool J, 42, has had a long career, which began with one of his first hip-hop songs, “I Can’t Live Without my Radio.” This hip hop artist has enchanted the audiences with his ballads, and his clean police record is just another reason for Ladies to Love Cool James.
(Photo by Phil McCarten/Fox/PictureGroup)
Chuck D, 50, has recorded what could be the most revolutionary album in the hip-hop canon. This politically conscious rapper may have been in the middle of protests fighting for social change, but he has never been to prison.
Wyclef Jean, 41, has been on the news for many reasons lately, but they have all been exceptionally good. This musician may have been denied candidacy to be Haiti’s president for a couple of reasons, but having a criminal record was not one of them.
(AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)
Ice Cube, 41, began his career as a member of a hip hop crew named C.I.A. Since then he has been a successful rapper, and although he has a lot of time in the field, he has never served time in prison.
(Photo by Ben Rose/PictureGroup)
Missy Elliot, 39, may have “Misdemeanor” as her nickname, but she is not living up to that name. This rapper has had platinum certified albums and her badass lyrics have won her numerous awards, but unlike contemporaries like Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliot has a pretty clean criminal record.
(AP Photo/Joan Leong)
Salt-N-Pepa, ages 46 and 45, are perhaps the best selling female rap act in history. This duo from Queens, New York has been in the business for a while, and they have managed to stay out of trouble.
(AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Lupe Fiasco, 28, is not only a rapper, he is also the CEO of his own company. He rose to fame with his debut album Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor. This rapper may sing about booze, but he has never been arrested, not even for DUI.
(AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
Ludacris, 33, known for hits such as, “Southern Hospitality” and “What’s Your Fantasy” has never done time despite his tough demeanor and racy lyrics.
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Every other week it seems like a new rapper is going to prison (DMX appears to be the hip-hop perp du jour). From T.I.’s latest sentence to Lil Wayne’s recent incarceration, hip-hop stars seem to have an incredibly difficult time staying of trouble.
So, theGrio has decided to recognize some of the rap artists who have never spent serious time in prison. Here are some of those artists who, despite some of their mentions of drugs in lyrics and “Misdemeanor” behavior, have managed to stay out of jail.
What do you think? Will these artists’ keep their squeaky clean reputation?
