Just months after making headlines for appearing at a controversial Donald Trump rally in Brooklyn, Brooklyn drill rapper Sheff G—real name Michael Williams—is back in the news, this time for legal reasons that are making serious waves in both hip-hop and law enforcement circles.
According to Fox 5, the 26-year-old rapper pleaded guilty last week to second-degree attempted murder and conspiracy charges, stemming from his alleged involvement in a violent gang operation. The case is part of a massive 140-count indictment tied to 32 alleged members of a Brooklyn street gang.
Sheff G accepted a court-offered plea deal of five years in prison, along with five years of post-release supervision. This deal was offered over the objections of prosecutors, who had reportedly pushed for a 20-year sentence, given the gravity of the charges and the scope of the multi-year investigation that led to his arrest.
The case was built through a joint effort by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau and the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division, both of which have been cracking down on gang-related violence and gun activity across New York City. Authorities say Sheff G played a significant role in the gang’s operations.
Sheff G’s legal issues are part of a broader crackdown, with 17 other defendants already pleading guilty, and 14 additional cases still pending. Among those cases is one involving fellow Brooklyn rapper Sleepy Hallow (Tegan Chambers), a frequent collaborator of Sheff G and another rising star from New York’s drill scene.
Once considered one of the leaders of Brooklyn’s emerging rap wave, Sheff G’s name has become increasingly associated with real-life street violence rather than chart-topping hits. His appearance at the Trump rally last year raised eyebrows, especially among fans who were confused by the rapper’s political leanings, but this latest development puts the focus squarely back on the legal troubles that have clouded his career in recent years.
With this plea deal, Sheff G will serve time behind bars during a pivotal moment in his career—leaving fans and critics alike to wonder what’s next for one of Brooklyn’s most talked-about rap figures.