From Lockdown to Legacy: B.G. Reclaims His Crown

“Twelve birthdays, twelve Christmases, twelve summers gone—but I ain’t miss a beat.”

B.G. has been gone for over twelve years. Long enough for rap trends to rise and fall, and long enough for entire careers to come and go, but the original Hot Boy never left the heart of New Orleans or the DNA of Southern rap. Now, fresh out of prison, B.G.’s not just stepping back into the world; he’s reclaiming his place in it.

Once the voice of a generation, Hot Boys member B.G. was known for his street sermons and signature New Orleans drawl. Now older, sharper, and still raw, he’s faced federal time, personal battles, and struggles most couldn’t imagine. Following the release of his album Freedom of Speech and the accompanying documentary Freedom of Speech: The Christopher Dorsey Untold Story, the Cash Money icon opened up about the challenges of returning to society after prison, the recent Hot Boys reunion, new music, and more.

In his conversation with Bleu Magazine, the Louisiana legend admitted the first couple of years in prison were rough. According to B.G., he was “bitter” and “mad” with an unshakeable feeling that he was given a lengthy sentence he had no business serving. However, he was aware of what landed him such a long sentence.

"I had a fucked up attitude. Wildin', doing everything I wasn't supposed to do,” B.G. tells Bleu. “I was caught with cellphones, weed, knives… they was trying to give me a 25-30 year sentence because I wouldn't cooperate."

He continues, "Eventually, I started working on me."I read the Quran, I read the Bible, I took a little bit from here and there. I’m a child of God, even if I still have questions."

Despite the isolation and the ongoing mental battles, B.G. was far from alone in his journey. Tracy, the rapper's manager, has been by his side from the moment he walked through the door to when he was a free man. In addition to his manager, B.G. received support from fellow rappers such as Boosie Badazz, T.I. and Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman.

In today's world, the intersection of music and incarceration has become increasingly prevalent, with many rappers creating music from behind bars. Artists like Tory Lanez and Lil Durk have not only faced legal challenges, but have also used their time in confinement to craft songs that resonate with their audiences. Things were different for B.G. as recording music was a difficult task.

On his first day in prison, B.G. was told that if he was caught rapping over the phone or doing anything to profit off his music, he would be put on a 23-and-1 lockdown, a risk he wasn’t willing to take. Even after his release, restrictions on his creative expression have continued. Due to conditions of his supervised release following his sentence for gun charges and obstruction of justice, a federal judge ruled that B.G. must submit all new song lyrics to the government for review before recording or performing them. This measure aims to ensure his content aligns with rehabilitation objectives and does not glorify violence or criminal activity.

"It was a challenge writing this album. I had to think carefully about how to tell my full story in a way that felt authentic, but also wouldn't get me into trouble," B.G. said.

When asked about his post-probation style and whether he plans to return to his rawer roots once his probation ends or stick with the more restrained, PG version of himself, B.G. responded passionately: "ABSOLUTELY, I'm going back to the old me. I love keeping it raw and uncut, being authentic and original. That’s the real me, with no zip ties on my hands."

Each track on the album holds personal significance, reflecting different parts of his journey. “I ride to the music everyday. Not just because it's mine, but because it’s so raw and personal,” said B.G. “I like the Derez De’Shon record and Freedom of Speech. Honestly, I like all of them, I can't even lie.”

"When You Come Home" stands out as a powerful moment on the tracklist, with B.G. shouting, "Free my son T.Y.," a nod to his son who was incarcerated on similar charges shortly before B.G.'s release from federal prison. “It hurts obviously, we used to talk all the time about what we were gonna do when I got out. I used to always tell him don’t be like me, be better. At the end of the day sometimes experience is the best teacher. It's nothing to glorify and I hate to see him in that situation, but he gon’ be alright. He stood up and took his lick like a man.”

Today, B.G. is a free man, and his day-to-day life looks a little different than it used to. No longer in New Orleans, the rap icon now resides in the state of Nevada. The choice of a scenery change was driven by the need to be close to his business partners, as well as the desire to start fresh.

“I didn’t want to deal with the BS that comes with being home,” says B.G. “Ya know, motherfuckers pulling up to my house with begging hands.” B.G.’s interests have also evolved. He now enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle full of watching the news and staying informed on politics, a new passion sparked by his past.

B.G.'s close friend Lil Wayne has had his own experience with the political sphere, notably his relationship with President Donald Trump. Wayne, a known supporter of Trump, was granted a pardon by the former president in the final hours of his previous administration. Given their longstanding friendship, many have wondered whether B.G. ever received similar consideration. On the topic, B.G. responded with a heavy laugh and revealed Wayne was willing to set him up with some assistance.

“Wayne had some recommendations and lawyers on deck for me,” says B.G. “It just so happened that the lawyer I already hired was best friends with his lawyer. The guy I hired was a tiger, so I was in good hands.”

There’s a saying that goes “Time waits for nobody,” and for B.G., the relentless march of it meant watching from behind bars as his Cash Money counterparts soared to greater heights of fame. While B.G. was serving time, his peers had a distinct advantage. They were able to seize opportunities, expand their brands, and remain at the forefront of the rap scene. Despite this, B.G. doesn’t feel rushed to play catch up and he’s grateful for his team that helped him get to where he is today.

“I’m just happy to be free for real and have another shot at this. Most people don’t get a shot again at this level after all that time behind bars. I’m just grateful for where I’m at now,” says B.G. “I'm part of a brand that pretty much defined an era. When you think of Cash Money, we’re all joined at the hip. I can't tell my story without telling Wayne's story, Juvis' story, or Birdman's story and they can't tell their story without telling mine. Cash Money remaining relevant made it easier for me to ease back into it.”

B.G.’s perspective is a reminder that the journey to success is rarely linear. Now, that journey has come full circle with the Hot Boys reuniting. After years of solo success, public fallouts, and B.G.’s hard-fought return to freedom, the legendary crew that helped shape Southern rap joined forces again.

The group graced the stage together at Lil Weezyana Fest in November, marking the first time in more than 15 years that every member shared the stage. The New Orleans legends have since reunited for performances in Tampa, Charlotte, St. Louis, and even headlined the final Dreamville Festival. Now, they're gearing up for the highly anticipated Carter VI Tour, bringing their legacy to an even bigger stage.

“To come home after 12 years and go on tour with the homies I started with, and for us to still be able to sell out arenas lets you know at the end of the day, we are who we are,” says B.G.

The reunion tour isn’t the only thing making noise. B.G. 's comeback story added another chapter with the release of his new album Freedom of Speech, and his documentary, Freedom of Speech: The Christopher Dorsey Untold Story, a testament to his resilience.

B.G.’s work is far from over. The rapper let Bleu know that much more music is coming in the foreseeable future. Among the upcoming releases, fans can expect a full-length collaborative album with Juvenile, as well as projects with Boosie, Birdman, and hitmaker Mike WiLL Made-It, each promising to showcase a different side of his artistry while solidifying his return as a force in the game.

“I'm always in the studio, always working and always trying to get to the money,” says B.G. “A lot is going on out here and I've always been a hustler, so you know I'm gonna hustle.”

Time is a cruel producer. It cuts scenes, remixes identities, and fades out the ones we forget to fight for. But some voices don’t die as B.G. waited over 12 years, and now, his mic is back on.