Back in November, Philly rapper AR-AB was convicted for using his Original Block Hustlaz record label as a front for a drug ring operation, which implicated some murders and flooded the Philly area with heroin and cocaine. Looking at 15 years to life in prison, AllHipHop reports that AR-AB will find out his fate come May 28th when he stands before judge Michael M. Baylson for his sentencing.

AR-AB, along with three other O.B.H. associates, were accused of selling large quantities of cocaine around Philly while murdering their rivals to protect and expand their drug operation, which also sold meth, heroin and crack reports say. The rappers were accused of laundering the operation’s cash through the record label, as well as various properties, which also served as stash houses.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, prosecutors pointed to AR-Ab’s social media activity and songs lyrics to link him to a number of crimes. The feds showed jurors an Instagram post that showed AR-Ab and Blanding in California to allegedly purchase cocaine from their supplier. The posted was reportedly captioned: “I’ll make it snow in LA.” Prosecutors also highlighted lyrics they believe implicate AR-Ab in the 2017 murder of Robert Johnson, who was allegedly killed by AR-Ab crew member Dontez “Taz” Stewart.

We’ll continue to keep you posted moving forward.

Khaliyfa Neely, the man who stabbed Nicki Minaj’s former stage manager De’Von Andre Pickett to death in 2015, has officially been convicted of third-degree murder. The incident in question arose on February 18th 2015, when Neely attacked Pickett outside of a bar in Philadelphia’s Germantown area. Pickett’s death was all the more tragic as he was gearing up to head on tour with Nicki Minaj, having secured the position of stage manager. 

It took two trials before a jury was able to come to a conclusion, as the first ended in a hung jury last year; the complications likely arose by way of another suspect, Pierce Boykin, who was initially thought to be the killer. After further evidence shifted further away from Boykin, the jury was able to come to a concrete decision and Neely was convicted of third-degree murder, aggravated and simple assault and possession of an instrument of crime. While not the killer, Boykin was still charged with aggravated assault with a sentence of twenty-three months. The judge’s verdict is set to arrive on April 24th, with the possibility of a life sentence for Neely. 

After his death, Minaj took to Instagram to pay respects to Pickett’s life. “These guys flew into Philly for my tour rehearsals 2 days ago and were both stabbed last night,” she wrote on Instagram, back when the incident occurred. “Unbelievable. Eric (on the right) is recovering. Another senseless act of violence that took the life of a great guy. So sad.” It might have taken a while for justice to be served on this one, but it’s good to see Pickett’s case begin to get closure.