Bobby Shmurda

Biography

Ackquille Jean Pollard (born August 4, 1994), professionally known as Bobby Shmurda, is an American rapper. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Brooklyn drill music scene. Shmurda was born in Miami, Florida, but his mother later moved to East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He began rapping at the age of ten.

Rise to Fame

Shmurda gained international fame in 2014 with his song "Hot Nigga". The song, which used the instrumental from Lloyd Banks' "Jackpot", went viral on YouTube. The music video featured his signature "Shmoney dance," which became an internet meme and was replicated by celebrities like Beyoncé and Drake. The success of the single, which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100, led to a record deal with Epic Records. He released his debut EP, "Shmurda She Wrote," in November 2014, which included the track "Bobby Bitch" that also charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Legal Troubles and Incarceration

Arrest and Charges

In December 2014, police arrested Shmurda and several other members of his GS9 crew. He was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, weapons possession, and reckless endangerment. Authorities alleged that Shmurda was the ringleader of the GS9 gang, which they claimed was involved in drug trafficking and multiple shootings. His lyrics were also used as evidence against him during the legal proceedings.

Plea Deal and Sentence

In September 2016, Shmurda accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree conspiracy and one count of weapons possession. He was sentenced to seven years in prison. He was later sentenced to an additional four years for possessing a makeshift knife in his cell, but this sentence ran concurrently with his initial one.

Release and Post-Prison Career

After serving over six years, Bobby Shmurda was released from Clinton Correctional Facility on February 23, 2021. His release was conditional, and he will remain on parole until 2026. Following his release, he signed a management deal with Roc Nation. He released his first single since his release, "No Time for Sleep (Freestyle)," in September 2021. In 2022, he parted ways with Epic Records and became an independent artist, subsequently releasing the EP "Bodboy".