Photo Credit Darryl Wood
Legendary Sacramento rap artist X-Raided (born Anerae Veshaughn Brown) has a life story that could be likened to the hip-hop equivalent of The Shawshank Redemption. In 1992, a 17-year-old X-Raided was tried as an adult and indicted on a gang-related homicide case, resulting in a charge of 1st-degree murder. The case was a first of its kind for the prosecution, who were allowed to play excerpts of X’s debut album Psycho Active for the jury who ultimately sentenced him to 31 years to life in prison. After 26 years, 5 months, and 26 days served, he was granted an early release by the parole board, something he never thought possible. This new lease on life directly results from the mentorship of Lyle and Erik Menendez, with whom X formed a lifelong friendship behind prison walls. The brothers played a significant role in X being free today, guiding him through rehabilitative programs and service positions.
When the news broke this month about a possible resentencing for Lyle and Erik, X-Raided wasted no time in preparing the following statement:
“On behalf of myself and my family, I want to express our full support for the potential resentencing of Lyle and Erik Menendez. I have been consistent in my support for them and vocal about my opinion that they are phenomenal people who will absolutely never recidivate. They will be model citizens and significant contributors to society, especially as it relates to giving voice to survivors of abuse.”
Check out his recent interview with ExtraTV, where he discusses his time in prison with the Menendez brothers and his hopes for resentencing: link.
X-Raided had to defeat the possibility of facing the Death Penalty before his trial where his lyrics were used against him in court, something that would not be allowed today due to AB 2799 / the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act. Despite maintaining his innocence and the fact that no murder weapon was ever found in his case, X-Raided was convicted, something he says would never have happened had this act existed three decades earlier. In 2022, he discussed the bill’s significance in an exclusive interview with TMZ after its passage: TMZ Interview.
While incarcerated, his creative fire never diminished. He managed to release twelve albums, he cracked the Billboard charts multiple times, and sold millions of units. The State of California even filed a “Son of Sam” lawsuit against him in an attempt to confiscate his royalties, but the California Supreme Court struck down the law, allowing X’s career to legally continue.
His release was partially due to a supportive letter written to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility parole board by the Menendez brothers. X-Raided shared, “Lyle was the first one to say, ‘I think you have an incorrect approach to how you’re doing time as someone with notoriety.’ When I moved to another institution where Erik was, Lyle sent him a letter saying, ‘I love X-Raided. He is our brother. Love him too.’ That’s verbatim. While Lyle taught me politics and how to think deliberately, Erik took my education to another level as a spiritual guru. I started attending self-help groups, and my participation inspired others to join as well. I went from getting in trouble for smuggling recording equipment into the prison to getting permission to build studios in the facility.”
Upon his release, he signed with Tech N9ne’s Strange Music Label. In addition to making music, he uses his freedom and platform to advocate for lasting change. He donates his time working with youth, most recently through the Augmented Forensic Youth Program (AFYP), helping young people positively re-enter the community. His mission is to decrease recidivism and increase restorative justice. X-Raided has earned praise from various governors, senators, members of U.S. Congress, and law enforcement.
