President Trump pardons rapper Lil Wayne, commutes Kodak Black’s sentence

MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 09: Lil Wayne performs onstage during BACARDI, Swizz Beatz and The Dean Collection bring NO COMMISSION back to Miami to celebrate “Island Might” at Soho Studios on December 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for BACARDI)

by: Aleksandra Bush, Haley Townsend

Posted: Jan 20, 2021 / 12:00 PM AST

Updated: Jan 20, 2021 / 11:02 AM AST

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WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — In his final hours in office, President Donald Trump has granted clemency to rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, along with the former Mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick.

President Trump granted a full pardon to Lil Wayne. Wayne, who was born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., pleaded guilty last month to possessing a loaded, gold-plated handgun when his chartered jet landed in Miami in December 2019. He faced a sentence of up to 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

President Trump granted a commutation to Kodak Black, 23, who was born Bill Kahan Kapri. Black was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for making a false statement in order to buy a firearm. He has served nearly half his sentence.

President Trump commuted the sentence of Kwame Kilpatrick. He was convicted on federal racketeering and other charges while holding office in Detroit. Kilpatrick has served around seven years in prison.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

Reuters contributed to this report.