Bobby Shmurda sentenced to 7 years in New York state prison

A Manhattan judge sentenced Bobby Shmurda to seven years in New York state prison on Wednesday morning, following the rapper’s Dec. 2014 arrest and subsequent criminal charges stemming from his activities with a ;drug-related gang.

The 22-year-old Miami native, who shot to fame after videos for his single “Hot N—a” and resulting “Shmoney Dance” went viral, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and criminal possession of weapons charges in September. The plea deal allowed him to avoid a trail that, if convicted, could have put him behind bars for more than 25 years.

Though local news reports Shmurda (real name Ackquille Pollard) sought to withdraw his plea on Wednesday, the request was denied by a judge. The performer’s defense attorney, Alex Spiro, told The FADER Shmurda could “be home in approximately 3 ½ years and resume his remarkable career.”

Days after he performed “Hot N—a” on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2014, authorities arrested Shmurda and fellow hip-hop artist Chad Marshal (also known as Rowdy Rebel) as they left a Manhattan recording studio. Police reportedly found hand guns inside the studio, while additional firearms and crack cocaine were found in a car he was riding in. Shmurda’s bail was previously set at $2 million.

Fourteen others were arrested in connection to the case, which involved a Brooklyn-based gang called GS9. According to NBC New York, an indictment charged the 15 men with crimes ranging from murder and attempted murder to assault and drug dealing.

Epic, Shmurda’s label, has yet to comment on the case.