C-Bo

Shawn Thomas (born January 14, 1972), better known by his stage name C-Bo, is an American rapper from Sacramento, California. Known for his extensive legal troubles, he was the first notable rapper to be jailed due to his lyrical content in 1998. His 1995 song, "Deadly Game" (with X-Raided) earned this distinction, as its lyrics were a scathing critique of political officials, including governor Pete Wilson, and California's Prop. 184 three-strikes law. He ineffectively argued for appeal three times. Although some charges were dropped as it was viewed as a violation of his First Amendment rights, he was arrested in California in 1998, under the suspicion that his violent rap lyrics violated his parole. He rapped his court statement to the presiding judge, in Ohio, who gave C-Bo probation on the condition that he also rap in a Public Service Announcement. Also known for his frequent collaborations with fellow California-based rappers, he appeared in numerous videos for Tupac Shakur.