Brooklyn rapper Sheff G, whose real name is Michael Williams, has been sentenced to five years behind bars. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and a conspiracy charge. The 27-year-old artist entered a plea deal with prosecutors earlier this year. In addition, he is required to serve five years of supervised release following completion of his prison term.
Prosecutors painted a picture of Williams as a violent gang leader whose lavish lifestyle funded Brooklyn gang warfare. He allegedly distributed cash and jewelry to gang members in their ongoing turf wars with other gangs. He hosted an extravagant steakhouse dinner for a dozen gang leaders in Manhattan. They celebrated a shooting from 2020. Second, he provided getaway transportation for co-defendants involved in a shooting ambush in 2021.
Williams became a household name not just for his music. His songs and music videos went viral, and were drawing millions of views on platforms such as Youtube and Spotify. He wasted all his talent by getting immersed in crime. As part of a yearlong investigation into gang-related shootings in Brooklyn, he was arrested with other high profile figures as well.
Eric Gonzalez, the Brooklyn District Attorney, called out Williams for opting violence over opportunity.
“This defendant had talent and opportunity, but chose to use them to fuel violence instead of building a better future,” – Eric Gonzalez
Williams’s connection to the political sphere raised eyebrows when he joined former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally last year. Trump highlighted Sheff G and fellow rapper Sleepy Hallow during his campaign stops, showcasing their influence in the music scene.
During the case as it progressed, Sheff G’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, made no statements. He did not return calls and e-mails seeking comment on the sentencing.