Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting fellow music artist Megan thee Stallion back in 2020. His lawyer believes the justice system has unfairly charged him due to his celebrity status.
It’s safe to say that our personal lives were pretty stagnant in the year 2020, so when news broke that Tory Lanez had shot fellow rapper Megan thee Stallion at a party in the Hollywood Hills, anyone with an interest in the music industry waited impatiently to see how things would unfold.
Three years, a court case, and thousands of fan-led debates about his alleged crime later, Lanez has been sentenced to ten years in prison.
During the trial, the court heard that Lanez had fired his gun at Megan’s feet, shouting at her to ‘dance bitch!’ as she walked away from a car they had been driving in together just moments before.
Although surgery was required to remove bullet fragments from her foot, Megan waited longer than a month to publicly state who had fired the gun. She revealed that Lanez had begged her not to tell police what he’d done because he was already having legal issues. He offered Megan and another witness $1 million to remain silent.
Fast forward to today, and Lanez’s lawyer believes Lanez’s 10-year prison sentence is too harsh. They called it ‘just another example of someone being punished for their celebrity status and someone being utilized to set an example. And he’s not an example. He’s a human being.’
Looking deeper at Tory Lanez’s case, and other trials where rap artists were involved, how true is this statement? Let’s investigate.
Back in 2014, rapper Bobby Shmurda was arrested on charges related to conspiracy to commit murder, weapons possession, and drug trafficking. He eventually accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Female rapper Remy Ma was sent to trial in 2008 for assault charges after a shooting incident involving another woman. She was convicted of assault, illegal weapon possession, and tampering with evidence. She served six years in prison.
Meanwhile, rapper Young Thug has been in jail for over a year, arrested on gang-related charges and accusations of violating the RICO act. His trial continues, but he is predicted to face between 5-10 years in prison if he accepts a plea deal.
At face value, all of these high-profile celebrities have received similar prison sentences to Tory Lanez, despite the discrepancies of their crimes. Based on this caveat alone, it may be easy to sense a pattern in how harshly celebrities are charged.
However, it’s important to note that legal outcomes often vary based on the specifics of the case, as well as the prosecutor’s strategy, the defendant’s criminal history, and various other factors.
The case of Lanez vs Megan was particularly complex, due to the fact that it was widely publicised and fuelled by speculation from the start. It’s also worth noting that Lanez had suspected he would receive a harsh sentence, due to his previous convictions. This led him to bribe Megan and other witnesses.
with their storiesMeanwhile, fans and other artists in the music industry dragged Megan’s name and character through the mud throughout the trial. She was subjected to online abuse and was called a liar for speaking publicly about the shooting. She also became the butt of lyrical jokes in numerous rap songs to follow.
For example, ‘This bitch lie about getting shots, but she still a stallion / She don’t even get the joke, but she still smiling,’ raps Drake in his song Circo Loco.
Nicki Minaj had musically collaborated with Megan in the past, but still decided to poke fun at Tory shouting ‘dance bitch!’ while shooting her, rapping ‘That .40 cal ah make ‘em dance like a go-go’ on her latest solo track Red Ruby da Sleaze.
The psychological impact of being in the spotlight while healing from the trauma of being shot – let alone by someone you considered a friend – is evident. Megan has largely stayed under the radar for the last three years, only posting online to promote her work or update fans on her well-being.
Writing in an op-ed for the New York Times, Megan discusses the prevalence of physical violence and misogyny against Black women. She sheds light on her own experience, writing:
‘Even as a victim, I have been met with scepticism and judgment. The way people have publicly questioned and debated whether I played a role in my own violent assault proves that my fears about discussing what happened were, unfortunately, warranted.’
Megan also affirms her stance, saying she will always stand up for women – especially victims of violent assault – and calls for better protection for Black women and for society to believe them when they come forward with their stories.
In the end, Lanez was convicted of three felonies: assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.
In a news conference after the sentencing, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascó said, ‘I hope that Miss Pete’s [Megan’s] bravery gives hope to those who feel helpless.’
Considering how the events unfolded on top of Tory’s previous convictions and the fact that he tried to cover the entire situation up, it is likely that most people will see his sentence as fair. And yes, perhaps even as an example.
One that says committing violence against any woman is wrong and will finally be taken seriously.
Deputy Editor & Content Partnership ManagerLondon, UK
I’m Jessica (She/Her). I’m the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
The ban has already been lifted after drawing widespread public criticism.
Last week, Serigne Fall Guèye, director of the Grand Théâtre de Dakar, introduced a swift and surprising ban on wigs, weaves, hair extensions and skin-lightening products. The move was officially framed as part of a cultural revival – a means of returning to ‘pan-African values’ and reasserting a sense of African pride whilst preserving the theatre’s cultural heritage.
But the...
Africa's creative wave is the strongest it's ever been, and the world is paying attention.
As the pandemic ended, a global appetite for rawness and newness emerged, and Africa's artistic expressions are breaking away from the tired stereotypes to tell a different story, from the nightclubs of Lagos to the fashion houses of Paris, and everyhere in between.
African music, fashion, and art are coming into their own, changing the global...
James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman film has not only revived the iconic hero but also ignited a political firestorm, particularly among right-wing Americans.
The debut of the new Superman film last week sparked global excitement, with many reconnecting with their sense of childhood wonder. This did not go without a major debate about who envisioned Superman the best, Zack Snyder or James Gunn.
Admittedly, each director brought a unique creative approach...
More celebrities are facing the public consequences for their morally deplorable actions, dispelling the culture of idolatry that presents famous people as a moral guide. However, a culture of racism and misogyny is still allowing culpable white men to evade the consequences of their actions.
Earlier this month, hip-hop artist Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was convicted on ‘two counts of transportation for prostitution’
As Combs’ prosecution shows, fame doesn’t always protect...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.