C-Murder

Corey Miller (born March 9, 1971), better known by his stage name C-Murder, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and author. He initially gained fame in the mid-1990s as a part of his brother Master P's label No Limit Records, primarily as a member of the label's supergroup, TRU. Miller went on to release several solo albums of his own through the label including 1998's platinum Life or Death. C-Murder has released nine albums altogether on six different labels, No Limit Records, TRU Records, Koch Records, Asylum Records, RBC Records and Venti Uno.

C-Murder
C-Murder in 1999
Background information
Birth nameCorey Miller
Also known asC-Miller
Born (1971-03-09) March 9, 1971[1]
OriginNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • author
Years active1993–present
Labels
Associated acts

In 2002, Miller was arrested in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Steve Thomas, and was sentenced to life in prison on August 14, 2009. Miller is currently serving his sentence in the Louisiana State Penitentiary.[2][3]

Controversy surrounding witnesses involved in Miller's trial came to light in 2018 when two key witnesses recanted their statements, claiming they had been pressured into testifying against Miller by authorities. Miller maintains his innocence, and both he and his brother have called for a new trial numerous times.[4][5]

Early Life

Corey Miller was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 9, 1971 and grew up in the Central City neighborhood known as the 3rd Ward. Miller spent most of youth growing up In the notorious Calliope Projects. In 1989 he was arrested and served a short stint in jail. Shortly after, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and would eventually serve in the Gulf war as a Combat medic.

Music career

1998: Life or Death

Miller rose to fame in the late 1990s after being featured on numerous No Limit releases. In 1998 Miller released his debut album Life or Death.[1] Miller's debut made it to number three on the US Billboard 200 with 197,000 copies sold the first week. The album eventually sold over one million copies making it certified platinum.[6]

1999: Bossalinie

In 1999 Miller released his second album Bossalinie it would prove to be even more successful charting at number two on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 175,000. The album was promoted with the singles "Like a Jungle" and "Gangsta Walk" featuring fellow No Limit artist at the time Snoop Dogg. The album eventually sold over 500,000 copies making it certified gold.

2000: Trapped In Crime

In 2000 Miller released his third album, Trapped in Crime, the album was known for containing Miller's biggest and most well known single to date "Down for My N's" the single featured fellow No Limit artists at the time Snoop Dogg and Magic. The album charted on the Billboard 200 at number eight.

2001: C-P-3.com

In 2001 Miller released his fourth album C-P-3.com and his final with No Limit Records, the album charted the Billboard 200 at number forty-five, a significant decrease from his previous releases. The album contained the singles "What U Gonna Do" and "Im Not Just". The album has currently sold over 260,000 copies.

2005: The Truest Shit I Ever Said

In 2005 Miller released his fifth album The Truest Shit I Ever Said. It was his first album released while imprisoned for his pending murder charge at the time. The album was promoted with the single "Y'all Heard Of Me" which featured fellow New Orleans artist B.G.. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at number thirty-four.

2008: Screamin' 4 Vengeance

In 2008 Miller released his sixth album Screamin' 4 Vengeance. This was Miller's second album released while being incarcerated. The album was promoted with the single's "Be Fresh" and "Posted On The Block (Remix)". The album charted on the Billboard 200 at one-hundred-thirty.

2009–10: Calliope Click Volume 1 & Tomorrow

In 2009 Miller released his seventh and third album while imprisoned Calliope Click. In 2010 Miller released his eighth album and fourth album while incarcerated entitled Tomorrow.

2013–2016: Ain't No Heaven In the Pen

On June 11, 2013, Miller released his debut mixtape Ricochet featuring variety of unreleased tracks.[7][8]

On March 11, 2014, recently released rapper Lil Boosie collaborated with Miller on a song entitled "Came 2 Da Can". The song has caused major controversy due to Miller's negative remarks of his own brother and former CEO Master P.[9]

On January 5, 2015, Miller announced via his website that he will be releasing a new album entitled Ain't No Heaven In the Pen Bruh.[10] On January 10, 2015, Miller via his website released the official track list for Ain't No Heaven In the Pen.[11] On February 28, 2015 Miller announced via his website the release date for Ain't No Heaven In the Pen which is March 24, 2015.[12][13]

On March 24, 2015, Miller released his ninth album Ain't No Heaven In the Pen, featuring guest appearances from Boosie Badazz, Shy Glizzy, Snoop Dogg, Callipoe Doefus, Al, Big Be, Bloc Boyz Click, Lil Kano, Montez, G-Dinero, Lil Soulja Slim, Adrian E and Jigga.[14][15] In January 2016, C-Murder released a diss track aimed at 2 Chainz entitled 2 Stainz,[16] due to the usage of the slogan and name style of his former group TRU[17] and record label TRU Global Records.[18]

April 2016: Penitentiary Chances

In April 2016 C-Murder and Boosie Badazz released a collaborative album about his murder charge entitled Penitentiary Chances. Artists on the album include Snoop Dogg, Calliope Bub, Verse, 2Meka, Cuttyboy G Dinero, Mac Milli, and Yella. The first single on the album, entitled "Dear Supreme Court", discusses his case and his hope that the Louisiana Supreme Court will drop his charge.

Other ventures

Acting career

In 1998 Miller acted and co-starred in the major No Limit film Da Game of Life. In 1998, he also acted in the No Limit film "I Got the Hook Up" starring his brother Master P and A.J. Johnson. His role was he played one of T-Lay's (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. "Zeus") henchmen alongside his brother Silkk The Shocker and Mystikal. In 2000 Miller also co-starred in the No Limit film Hot Boyz.

Bossalinie Records
Bossalinie Records
Founded2000
FounderCorey "C-Murder" Miller
StatusCurrent
Distributor(s)Priority (2001–2002)
Koch (2006–2008)
RBC (2009)
Genre
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana (2000–present)

Bossalinie Records is a record label founded by C-Murder in 2000.

Current

  • C-Murder (CEO/Founder)
  • Alexis Chelsea (Owner President)

Author

On January 1, 2007, Miller released his first written novel entitled Death Around The Corner.[19] On February 1, 2014, Miller released two novels entitled Red Beans and Dirty Rice For The Soul and Bound By Loyalty.[20][21]

Steve Thomas case
A mugshot of Miller following his 2002 arrest

In September 2003, Miller was convicted of the January 18, 2002, beating and fatal shooting of a fan, 16-year-old Steve Thomas, at the Platinum Club, a now closed nightclub in Harvey, Louisiana.[2] Miller was arrested in the early hours of January 19, 2002, for causing a disturbance at the House of Blues in New Orleans.[22] He was indicted on February 28, 2002.[23] However, Judge Martha Sassone granted a new trial based on the claim that prosecutors improperly withheld criminal background information on three of their witnesses.

While awaiting re-trial Miller was placed under house arrest. Sassone allowed Miller to promote his new yet to be titled CD and novel, Death around the Corner, while under house arrest, but ruled that a gag order pertaining to the case would remain in effect. The terms of the house arrest required Sassone's permission for all visitors, including reporters.[24]

On March 13, 2007, Judge Sassone granted Miller's request to work on his music career on a per request basis, but denied his request for a 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. curfew.[25] Sassone's rulings in the case became an issue in her failed 2008 bid for re-election. Sassone was defeated by Judge Ellen Kovach; prosecutors subsequently renewed a request to have Miller returned to jail.[26] During January 2009, Corey Miller was confined to his residence on house arrest, and could only leave for a documented medical emergency.

On May 27, 2009, Miller pleaded no contest to two counts of attempted second degree murder. These charges stem from a 2001 incident in Baton Rouge in which Miller fired one shot, after which it jammed, from a semi-automatic pistol at the owner and bouncer of a night club who refused to allow Miller to enter the business with the gun. Miller was sentenced to ten years with credit for time served.[27] An actual surveillance video of the incident was posted on YouTube.

The Louisiana State Penitentiary in November 2009

On August 5, 2009, the murder trial began. The father of the victim spoke of his son being a huge fan of C-Murder before the incident. A bouncer had also testified against Miller claiming to have witnessed every moment of the shooting. He claimed fear of repercussions for his testimony. Prosecutors also charged C-Murder's associates with threatening many other witnesses from this case.[28]

On August 10, 2009, the jury reported being deadlocked, but Judge Hans Liljeberg instructed them to attempt to resolve the deadlock. Three hours later, the jury returned to announce it had reached a 10–2 guilty verdict. The judge suspected that, given the deadlock announced earlier followed by the quick reversal, one of the jurors decided to switch under pressure to end the trial and instructed the jury to go back and deliberate on the case longer.[29]

When they came back with the same verdict, Miller was convicted of second-degree murder charges with a 10–2 verdict.[30] During sentencing the victim's father was quoted as saying "I'm not rejoicing. I feel bad for [Miller's] family. But at least they can see him. What have we got but a gravesite and a photograph?"[31] C-Murder was sentenced on August 14 by District Judge Hans Liljeberg to mandatory life imprisonment.[3]

On August 27, 2009, Ernest Johnson, president of the Louisiana NAACP, requested an investigation into the jury deliberations.[32] C-Murder's financial woes have reportedly landed him the help of two Harvard attorneys, one of them Ronald Sullivan, who have agreed to assist with his appeal. One of the jurors, Mary Jacob, said that both she and a fellow juror, a 20-year-old student at Xavier University of Louisiana, were verbally abused by fellow jurors for their decision to acquit. According to Jacob, the abuse resulted in her switching her verdict, saying "They literally made this 20-year-old girl so violently ill, she was shaking so bad. She ran into the bathroom. She was throwing her guts up. She couldn't function anymore. That's when I decided, the judge don't want to listen to me, doesn't want to listen to us? I told them, 'You want him to be guilty? He's guilty; now let's get the hell out of here.'" This account was partially confirmed by another juror. In Louisiana, a 10–2 consensus is sufficient for conviction but a 9–3 consensus results in a mistrial.[33] As a result, Miller appealed the conviction.

On December 28, 2011, his conviction was upheld.[34]

On February 19, 2013, Miller's final appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court. After a jury voted 10–2 to convict Miller, Miller's attorneys argued that because federal juries must reach unanimous verdicts in criminal cases, Miller should have not been convicted in Louisiana.[35][36]

On April 2, 2014, Miller's attorney, Rachel Conner, filed a post conviction relief application in state court in Gretna. She raised 10 points to support her assertion that her client didn't get a fair trial. Conner said she plans to raise more points later. Primary among the assertions is what she described as irregularities during the jury's deliberations stating "One juror cast a guilty vote not based on the evidence but because she wanted to end deliberations to protect another juror who refused to convict Miller but was targeted by other jurors to change her mind, Conner wrote."[37][38][39]

On June 26, 2018, Kenneth Jordan, a key witness in Miller's 2009 trial, recanted his testimony, claiming he was pressured by detectives to testify against Miller or he himself would have faced a 10-year prison sentence for unrelated criminal charges.[4] On July 6, another witness, Darnell Jordan, recanted his testimony, saying he was detained and locked in a hotel room by police for refusing to testify against Miller.[40]

Discography
Main article: C-Murder discography
See also: 504 Boyz discography and TRU discography

Solo albums

Collaboration albums
  • Penitentiary Chances with Boosie Badazz (2016)[42]

Filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes
1997I'm Bout ItQSupport Role
1998MP da Last DonCuban GuardCameo Role
I Got the Hook-UpT-Lay Boy #1Cameo Role
Da Game of LifeMoneySupport Role
1999Hot BoyzRemoSupport Role
No TomorrowHimselfCameo Role
2002UndisputedGat Boyz Rapper 3Cameo Role
2004White ChicksHimselfCameo role
2007Three Can Play That GameDate 1Cameo Role
2015Comedy CampObama impersonatorCameo Role
2020Angola 1, 2 & 3Bobby SealeSupport Role
gollark: For mass storage I either use enchanted TE tanks or black hole tanks.
gollark: They do not have oxygen masks or anything.
gollark: Fun fact: Mercury has fire dragons.
gollark: You know, GTech™ has 2.9 million dark oak planks, apparently.
gollark: GTech™ GOlogists™ will check.

References
  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Jeffries, David. "C-Murder Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  2. Kaufman, Gil (2003-10-01). "C-Murder Found Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder, Receives Life Sentence". MTV News. Archived from the original on 2003-10-02. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
  3. "Rapper C-Murder sentenced to life in prison". MSN Music. Associated Press. 2009-08-14.
  4. "C-Murder Witness Recants Testimony, Says He Was Pressured Into Identifying Rapper as Shooter". Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  5. "C-Murder's Lawyer Wants Conviction Reversed After 2nd Witness Recants Testimony". Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  6. "C-Murder > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  7. "C Murder – Ricochet". LiveMixtapes. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  8. "C-Murder – Ricochet". DatPiff. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  9. "New Music: C-Murder and Lil Boosie – Came 2 Da Can". Tha Produce Section. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  10. "NEW C-MURDER ALBUM DROPPING SOON!". Trurecords.wordpress.com. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  11. "(*UPDATED) TrackList for C-Murders new Album "Ain't No Heaven In The Pen"… *Coming March 24th". Trurecords.wordpress.com. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  12. "Ain't No Heaven In The Pen (NEW) C-Murder album dropping March 24th 2015". Trurecords.wordpress.com. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  13. "Pre-Order C-Murder's latest album (Ain't No heaven In the Pen) Dropping March 24th". Trurecords.wordpress.com. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  14. "C-Murder's New album (Ain't No Heaven In The Pen) is Finally Available!". Trurecords.wordpress.com. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  15. "C-Murder: Aint No Heaven in the Pen - Music on Google Play". Play.google.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  16. "C-Murder Disses 2 Chainz On "2 Stainz;" 2 Chainz Responds". YouTube. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  17. "@CartoonTutorBabi - C Murder 2 Stainz (2 Chainz Diss)". YouTube.
  18. "C-Murder speaks on the return of TRU Records Part 2". YouTube. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  19. "Death Around The Corner: Amazon Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  20. "Red Beans and Dirty Rice for the Soul (9780991238019): C-Murder, Eugene L Weems, Clarke Lowe: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  21. "Bound By Loyalty: C Murder, Eugene L Weems: 9781496154378: Amazon.com: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  22. Nelson, Rob (January 19, 2002). "Gangsta rapper booked in teen killing". The Times-Picayune. Archived from the original on August 22, 2002. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  23. Darby, Joe (March 1, 2002). "Rapper indicted in Harvey shooting". The Times-Picayune. Archived from the original on May 6, 2003. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  24. Purpura, Paul (March 2, 2007). "Judge lets rapper promote CD, novel". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  25. Purpura, Paul (2007-03-13). "Rapper may leave house". The Times-Picayune.
  26. Purpura, Paul (August 2, 2009). "C-Murder's retrial in 2002 killing set to open Monday". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  27. Gates, Paul (2009-05-27). "C-Murder pleads no contest to attempted murder". WAFB. Archived from the original on June 12, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  28. AbduSalaam, Ishmael (2009-08-06). "Bouncer Says C-Murder Guilty of Killing Teen". AllHipHop.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-29. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  29. Lin, C.J. (August 11, 2009). "C-Murder guilty verdict not valid, judge says, and sends jury back for more deliberations". New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  30. Purpura, Paul; Lin, C. J. (2009-08-11). "C-Murder guilty of second-degree murder after topsy-turvy jury action". New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  31. "Rapper C-Murder Shot 16-Year-Old Fan In Club". Sky News. 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  32. Purpura, Paul (2009-08-27). "C-Murder jury deliberation needs investigation, Louisiana NAACP president says". New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  33. "C-Miller, rap star, kills a young fan". TruTV. TruTV. 2009-08-14.
  34. Kunzelman, Michael. "Rapper C-Murder's Conviction, Sentence Upheld". ABC News.
  35. "Supreme Court Rejects C-Murder's Appeal Of Murder Conviction". Hiphopdx.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  36. "Supreme Court rejects appeal from rapper C-Murder". Nola.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  37. "C-Murder Says This Can't Be Life, Wants Another Shot At Freedom – SOHH.com". Sohh.com. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  38. "TMZ BREAKING". hiphopnews24-7.com. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  39. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  40. "Second Witness Says Detectives 'Tricked' Him Into Identifying C-Murder in Nightclub Shooting". Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  41. "Aint No Heaven In the Pen by C-Murder on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  42. ""Penitentiary Chances (Deluxe Edition)" by Boosie Badazz on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
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