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20 Famous Rappers Who Have DUIs

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Drinking while under the influence is a trap that many musicians, regardless of genre, too often fall into. You’d think that if you’re famous, it’d be easy enough to call a cab, or a limo for that matter. Yet, for some reason, these thoughts don’t cross the minds of the many celebrities and musicians who drink to excess and get behind the wheel.

Like any types of musicians, rappers have had their fair share of DUI drama. Here’s our list of 18 famous rappers who have DUIs.

1. Flo Rida

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Rapper Flo Rida is the first entry on our list of famous rappers who have DUIs.

Best known for songs like “Right Round,” “Good Feeling,” and “My House,” Flo Rida was arrested on June 9, 2011, after being pulled over for erratic driving. According to Billboard.com, police reports said the rapper was swerving in his 2008 Bugatti through South Beach, Miami. He was taken into custody after failing a field sobriety test.

Flo Rida reportedly told the police, “I can’t do this. I don’t think I can walk a straight line. I had a few drinks.” While all of this was happening, a large crowd soon gathered and witnessed the entire ordeal. And they were apparently fans because many were reportedly begging officers to let the “I Cry” singer go. “Let’s do another test,” Flo Rida continued to protest. “I live on the other side of the bridge. I can make it home.”

2. Trick Daddy

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Trick Daddy is a recent offender of the famous rappers who have DUIs list.

Like Flo Rida, the “In da Wind” rapper was pulled over in Miami in January 2020 after police responded to a call of a Range Rover running red lights and hitting road signs. While the DUI was eventually dropped after making a plea deal, the “Let’s Go” rapper was also later charged with the possession of cocaine.

3. Bobby Brown

whitney houston and bobby brown
09SEP98: Singer/actress WHITNEY HOUSTON & husband BOBBY BROWN at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. Picture: Paul Smith / Featureflash

Bobby Brown may qualify for our list of famous rappers who have DUIs, but that particular charge is the least of his problems. But alas, it’s the one we’re focused on here. His first driving under the influence charge happened in January 1998.

The arrest came two years after he caused property damage while driving his then-wife Whitney Houston’s sports car. He received five days in jail before being released on probation.

He was arrested again in April 2012 for drunk driving and was ordered to spend time in rehab, but it apparently didn’t stick. Six months later, he was arrested a third time and sentenced to 55 days in jail and four years of probation.

Related: How Did Bobbi Kristina Brown Die?

4. Dr. Dre

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Andre Young, aka Dr. Dre, earned his DUI in 1994. His arrest came following a 90-mph pursuit through Beverly Hills with police.

Upon being caught, a test revealed his blood alcohol level to be twice California’s legal limit. Because the incident violated his parole of a previous battery charge, he became less lucky than some of the other famous rappers who have DUIs. Instead of getting the charges dropped or even probation, he was sentenced to serve eight months in jail.

Related: 25 Rappers That Came From Nothing

5. Xzibit

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There’s nothing like celebrating the happiest day of your life and finding yourself in jail the very next morning. In 2014, “Paparazzi” rapper Xzibit was that unlucky soul when he was arrested and charged with two counts of driving under the influence just hours after marrying Krista Joiner.

The charge came just hours after he married Krista Joiner. According to police reports, which noted that he was speeding in the early morning hours, “The officer contacted the driver and smelled alcohol. This started a driving under the influence investigation, which ended with the arrest of Alvin Nathaniel Joiner.”

6. Young Jeezy

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It’s actually quite sad when you can say that a DUI charge is the least of your woes, but alas, many of the famous rappers who have DUIs seem to have that problem. “Soul Survivor” rapper Young Jeezy is yet another example.

Young Jeezy’s DUI arrest came on June 18, 2008, in Atlanta, but that’s nothing considering in the years since, he’s also been arrested for terrorist threats, suspicion of battery, and, worst of all, murder.

7. Nas

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Nasier Jones, better known as Nas, was arrested in September 2009 on suspicions of driving under the influence. Unlike other famous rappers who have DUIs, however, his charges were dropped just a few months later.

You’d think he’d be off the hook after that, but not in the case of the “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” and “Hate Me Now” rapper. That same month, a federal tax lien was filed against him for more than $2.5 million. That number only grew over the years.

8. Gucci Mane

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Rapper Gucci Mane, known for hits like “Freaky Gurl” and “Spotlight,” was arrested for driving under the influence in 2008. That was the least of his worries that year, or any other year for that matter. From violating probation to scraping by the skin of his teeth on murder charges, what trouble will he get into next?

All the way through 2014, he was in and out of trouble on firearms possession charges, aggravated assault, and more. His most recent release from prison happened on May 26, 2016.  

Related: 25 Rappers That Came from Nothing

9. Busta Rhymes

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Rapper Busta Rhymes, known for songs like “It’s a Party,” “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” and “Dangerous,” was arrested for driving impaired on May 3, 2007.

As part of his conviction, he was ordered to complete 10 days of community service and enroll in a program for drunk driving. He was also sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay more than $1,000 in fines.

10. Too $hort

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Todd Anthony Shaw, aka Too $hort, best known for songs like “The Ghetto” and “Blow the Whistle,” was charged on March 20, 2013, with a DUI and drug possession, following an arrest in 2009 for suspicion of driving under the influence.

Surprisingly, unlike many of the famous rappers who have DUIs, he didn’t breathe a sigh of relief when he was offered three years of probation. Nope, Too Short opted to receive three months in jail instead, according to Billboard.

11. Lil Twist

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Lil Twist may still be young, having been born in 1993, but he’s no stranger to trouble already.

He was only 20 years old when he was pulled over and subsequently arrested for driving Justin Bieber’s Fisker Karma under the influence on July 11, 2013. The traffic incident began when he was caught driving between 60 and 70 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone.

Two years later, he was arrested again for burglary, grand theft, battery, and making criminal threats.

Related: 32 Interesting Facts About Justin Bieber

12. DMX

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Rapper DMX was yet another of the famous rappers who have DUIs who had a slew of legal problems throughout his 50-year lifespan. Along with driving under the influence charges in 2013, he has also been jailed for animal cruelty, assault, drug possession, and much, much more.

He was jailed more than 30 times for the various offenses.

Related: How Did DMX Die? 

13. Chief Keef

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Chief Keef, best known for songs like “I Don’t Like” and “Love Sosa,” was arrested for driving under the influence on March 5, 2014. The incident, which happened in Highland Park, Illinois, also led to him being charged with failing to provide proof of insurance and driving on a suspended license.

14. Jim Jones

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Joseph Guillermo Jones II, better known as Jim (Jimmy) Jones, is the rapper behind such hit singles as “We Fly High” and “Pop Champagne.”

Unfortunately, he made the wrong choice to “pop a bottle of champagne” and inhale drugs on the night of October 2, 2013, in the Bronx. According to law enforcement, he was pulled over for speeding and, upon confronting him, was found to have bloodshot eyes and looked “out of it.”

15. Eve

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Thus far, our list of famous rappers who have DUIs has been a boys’ club. That is, until now.

Famed female singer and rapper Eve, known for songs like “Love is Blind” and “What Ya Want,” was arrested on a DUI charge in 2007. According to People, prior to crashing her Maserati into a cement divider, “She also ran over a metal sign on the divider which warned drivers it was there.”

While no one was injured, including the two in the car with her, she was arrested in the early morning hours before posting bail for $30,000.

16. Pitbull

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Armando Christian Pérez, aka Pitbull, is easily one of the most famous rappers in the business thanks to his hit singles like “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) and “Give Me Everything.” 

Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to steer clear of problems and has also landed on our famous rappers who have DUIs list. He does, however, seem to be one of the ones who got off easy. While the incident in question happened in December of 2007, he was later found not guilty on the charges in July of 2009. 

Related: The 25 Richest Rappers in the World

17. Bow Wow

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First known as Lil’ Bow Wow and now the grown-up Bow Wow, the world fell in love with him when he performed the hit song “Basketball” for his appearance in the film Like Mike, and then later for bringing about such rap songs as “Let Me Hold You” and “Like You.”

While he has not officially been charged with a DUI, we think his since-deleted 2010 Tweets that bragged of a night of drinking and driving count as something he should have received. That evening, he Tweeted, “Face numb I’m whippin the lambo. Tipsy as [expletive].” He later posted again, saying, “I’m [expletive] up!!! Ohhh [expletive]. Y I drive the lambo. Chris might have to drive after next spot.”

18. Mac Miller

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Mac Miller was arrested for driving under the influence in May 2018, resulting in a hit-and-run crash when he ran into a utility pole before fleeing the scene. The late “Donald Trump” rapper was later obtained after his license plate number led police to his home, where he promptly confessed.

While he was taken into custody and posted bail for $15,000, he was never sentenced because he passed away soon after, on September 7, 2018, due to a drug overdose.

Related: How Did Mac Miller Die? 

19. Natina Reed

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Another rare appearance by a female on our famous rappers who have DUIs is singer and rapper Natina Reed.

She was stopped by police on June 29, 2011, after being caught recklessly swerving her car through the streets. After failing a field sobriety test, she was arrested and left in jail for two days before bail was posted for $2,230. This incident was her second DUI offense, which led to the revoke of her license.

20. Taboo

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Taboo, best known for his time with the Black Eyed Peas, was charged with driving under the influence following a minor traffic accident in March 2007.

Along with the DUI charges, he was also booked for the possession of drugs, including marijuana and a controlled substance without a prescription. He later posted bail for $15,145.

Related: Who Are the Black Eyed Peas?

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Written by Anna Paulson

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