Brooklyn drill rapper Sheff G has officially begun serving time behind bars.
The 27-year-old musician, whose real name is Michael Williams, turned himself in on October 1 to start a five-year prison sentence following his guilty plea to attempted murder and conspiracy charges earlier this year.
Sheff G was one of 32 people indicted in a sweeping case targeting two Brooklyn street gangs. Prosecutors accused him of using his rap success to help fund the groups, alleging he treated members to luxury dinners and jewelry. They also claimed he drove a getaway car during a 2021 shooting that left two bystanders wounded.
Although prosecutors initially pushed for a 20-year sentence, a Brooklyn judge accepted a plea deal that brought the term down to five years. He’ll also face five years of supervised release once he’s out — though with time served and good behavior, he could be free in as little as two and a half years, according to his attorney.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said the case was a tragic example of wasted potential: “This defendant had talent and opportunity, but chose to use them to fuel violence instead of building a better future.”
Born in Brooklyn to a Trinidadian mother and Haitian father, Sheff G became a breakout star in 2017 with his viral single “No Suburban.” He went on to become one of the pioneers of Brooklyn’s drill music scene, founding his own label, Winners Circle Entertainment, in 2019 and releasing his debut album One and Only in 2020.
Sheff G’s music has earned millions of streams, with his hit “No Suburban, Pt. 2” even going Gold in 2022. He often collaborated with fellow rapper Sleepy Hallow, who was also charged in the same case and sentenced last week to one year in jail.
The rapper also made political headlines last year when he appeared on stage at a Donald Trump campaign rally in the Bronx. Standing alongside Trump and Sleepy Hallow, Sheff G told the cheering crowd, “They are always going to whisper your accomplishments and shout your failures. Trump is going to shout the wins for all of us.”
The moment sparked backlash from critics, including New York Congressman Ritchie Torres, who called the appearance “offensive.”
Before reporting to prison, Sheff G wrapped up an 18-city tour with Sleepy Hallow and shared a message to his supporters:
“Stay safe, be safe, play safe, and do everything that you dream about.”
For now, Sheff G is being held at Rikers Island before he’s moved to a state facility. Out of the 32 people indicted in the case, prosecutors say 23 have already pleaded guilty, while seven cases are still ongoing.
