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OJ Simpson Trial\r - On this day 16 years ago, OJ Simpson was infamously acquitted of charges of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson. Though he was able to avoid jail time after the controversial decision, Simpson’s public image changed dramatically the moment he was accused of the murder. Many musicians have experienced the same, or worse, in the past and had their reputation or freedom affected by high-profile trials. We look back at some notable musicians who survived shocking court cases that rocked the music world.\r \r(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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Tupac - Pac spent much of 1994 fighting for his freedom while on trial for sexual abuse. The night before his verdict was to be delivered, the rapper was shot five times and then robbed in Manhattan’s Quad Recording studio.

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C-Murder\r - The No Limit Records rapper is currently serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. The NAACP has since requested an investigation into the jury proceedings that led to the guilty verdict.\r \r (Photo by: UPI/Judi Bottoni /Landov)

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Mystikal\r - The “Shake it Fast” rapper's promising career was cut short in 2003 after he plead guilty to sexual battery and extortion. He was released in 2010 and is now a registered sex offender.\r \r (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

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Slick Rick\r - While at the top of his game, Slick Rick the Ruler caught a five-year sentence for attempted murder. Russell Simmons famously bailed Ricky out before his trial began so that he could finish his classic sophomore album “The Ruler’s Back.”\r \r \r(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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Irv Gotti\r - Murder Inc’s founder avoided big jail time in 2005 after being tried on money laundering charges. He and brother Chris spent three years fighting the case which would have landed them 20 years if they were found guilty.\r \r(Photo: Seth Wenig/REUTERS)

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T.I.\r - In 2008, while at the top of his game, the King of the South plead guilty to three charges of illegal weapons possession. He was later sentenced to a year and a day in prison, narrowly avoiding a much lengthier 10-year bid.\r \r(Photo: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

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Chris Brown\r - The music world was shocked to learn that former pop sweethearts Chris Brown and Rihanna had an altercation in which Brown reportedly assaulted the Roc Nation singer. Brown eventually plead guilty in 2009 and received five years probation and community service.\r \r(Photo: David McNew/Getty Images)

Photo By David McNew/Getty Images

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R. Kelly\r - Videotape of a man who appeared to be R. Kelly surfaced that allegedly included footage of Kelly having sex with and urinating on an underage girl. It took eight years for the trial to play out, but the pied piper was eventually found not guilty of all 15 counts against him.\r \r(Photo: George McGinn/Getty Images)

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Diddy\r - The infamous shooting at Club New York that led to the arrest of Puff and his former protégé was the biggest story in music in 2000. Sadly it ended with Shyne serving time in prison for 10 years and the former business partners’ relationship seemingly damaged beyond repair.\r \r(Photo: HRC/WENN)

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Lil Kim\r - The Queen B was sentenced to one year on perjury charges in 2005 in relation to a 2001 shooting outside of Hot 97’s Manhattan studio. She has since returned to music but has yet to return to her pre-prison form.\r \r (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Snoop Dogg\r - Murder was the case that they gave Snoop while he was in the process of recording his seminal debut, Doggystyle, in 1993. Like OJ, Snoop had famously slick-tongued lawyer Johnnie Cochran to thank for his freedom.\r \r \r (Photo: REUTERS)

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Michael Jackson\r - MJ was first accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, sending shockwaves through the entire music industry. An out-of-court settlement was reached with his accuser, but Mike would face the same accusation again ten years later. He was cleared of all charges in a trial that dominated headlines.

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Lil Boosie\r - The rap world was shocked when New Orleans rapper Lil Boosie was charged with ordering a murder last year. He is currently facing the death penalty in addition to other drug charges.\r(Photo: John Amis, AP)

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Cassidy \r - In January 2006, Philadelphia rapper Cassidy was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. The “I’m a Hustla” rapper served eight months before being released but has since faced more charges of murder.

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Jay-Z\r - Jay-Z was able to avoid jail time in a case that alleged he stabbed record exec Lance “Un” Rivera at a Q-Tip album release party. The Jigga man took three years probation in 2001.

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Remy Ma\r - The former Terror Squad MC is currently serving an eight-year sentence for shooting her friend during an argument. Remy’s husband, rapper Papoose, has famously stood by her throughout her bid.\r \r \r(Photo: Chip East/REUTERS)