Lil Wayne's Former Protegé & YMCMB Rapper Sentenced To Life In Prison

BY Erika Marie 253.1K Views
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Lil Wayne
The rapper was signed to YMCMB in 2012.

Widner “Flow” Degruy once had a promising career ahead of him as Lil Wayne added the young rapper to the Young Money Cash Money Billionaires roster in 2012. However, the street life was difficult for Degruy to leave behind, and before the Louisiana rapper's star was able to shine, he was arrested in 2015 on charges of murder. 

Police say that 27-year-old Degruy and his associate Jonathan Evans shot two brothers, 22-year-old Kendrick and 18-year-old Kendred Bishop, as they sat inside a van. Authorities state that they found Degruy's phone at the scene and surveillance footage shows him at the location, as well. Kendrick Bishop and Degruy were both aspiring rappers and even recorded music together. Investigators think the motive for the shooting stemmed from Degruy's belief that the brothers stole guns and cash from him.

On April 8, NOLA.com reports that Degruy was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder. The rapper previously pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. It only took jurors an hour and a half to return with their verdict. The vote was 11 to 1. On Tuesday, Degruy was sentenced to life in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Irena Zajickova read Sherry Strauss' victim impact statement. Strauss is the mother of the two slain brothers. “In the beginning, I hated you,” the statement read. “I considered you a monster. Today, I no longer hate you. I feel sorry for you.”


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.