Rapper C-BO is still in jail, but AP reports that California prison authorities have dropped the section of his parole violation that pertained to the lyrics on his new record.
C-BO, whose real name is Shawn Thomas, remains jailed for lesser violations, including travelling more than 50 miles from his home base without permission from his parole officer. If all goes well, he'll be released March 18.
As previously reported, the terms of his release from the Bay area Soledad prison last June included that he was not to "engage in any behavior which promotes the gang lifestyle, criminal behavior, and/or violence towards law enforcement." The California Department of Corrections included his song lyrics in that category. He was arrested last Tuesday after the authorities reviewed his new album, "'Til My Casket Drops."
AP reports that C-BO was first convicted of a weapons charge the wire service says stemmed from the rapper firing bullets in the air that accidentally killed someone. In actuality, the rapper's role in the death was limited to the fact that he fired the first shots that police say led to a gang scuffle.
C-BO was taping a video for one of his songs in a Bay area park when a rival gang showed up on location. The rapper says a melee started, and he fired in the air to break it up. Police contended that the act of C-BO being the first to fire a gun led to one gang member shooting another. He was placed on 15 months probation for the weapons charge and was later jailed for parole violations.
His most recent release on parole included the lyrics clause, and three appeals to rescind the order failed. The stipulation angered civil rights groups who apparently lobbied successfully to have the clause dropped. AP reports that the authorities stressed to the rapper that he will be jailed again if he partakes in any gang activities.
