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Newark battle rapper Tsu Surf was sentenced to a mandatory five years in prison after previously pleading guilty to Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy charges.
The rapper, born Rahjon Cox, faced up to 30 years in prison as part of charges connected to his membership in the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang.
However, by pleading guilty to conspiracy and to possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon — and thus avoiding a trial and potentially harsher sentence — a U.S. district judge sentenced Cox to five years in federal prison, the Daily Voice reported.
Cox was one of 10 members of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips to face federal charges, accusing the street gang of acts of violence and distributing controlled substances in New Jersey and beyond. Cox himself allegedly held a leadership position and, in 2017, shot a rival gang member. Two years later, he was found in possession of two loaded firearms.
In addition to the mandatory 60-month prison sentence — the federal penal system does not allow parole — Cox was given three years of supervised release and fined $15,000, the Justice Department said.
Prior to his arrest and conviction, Tsu Surf was an up-and-coming talent on the battle rap scene, with his 2022 album Disparu — released shortly after his arrest — featuring artists like Jim Jones and Remy Ma. Previous LPs and mixtapes featured guests like Young M.A., Mozzy, G Herbo, Benny the Butcher, Wale, and more.
