Former hip-hop artist Travell "G Dep" Coleman, who was once signed to Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy label, has been granted clemency by Governor Kathy Hochul after serving 15 years for a cold-case murder in Manhattan. Coleman, now 49 years old, turned himself in to authorities in 2010 for the 1993 shooting death of a robbery victim in East Harlem, a case that had remained unsolved for years.

In a traditional end-of-year clemency list, Governor Hochul commuted Coleman's sentence, along with three other convicts, and issued 12 pardons, eight of which were related to drug cases. Coleman's sentence of 15 years to life has been reduced by two years, making him eligible for early parole in 2025.

Travell "G Dep" Coleman had risen to fame in the late 1990s with hits such as "Special Delivery" and "Let's Get It" but had tragically spiraled into drugs and crime. His lawyer, speaking after Coleman turned himself in, revealed that the rapper had carried immense guilt over the fatal robbery he committed as a teenager.

During his time behind bars, Coleman worked diligently to rehabilitate himself. State officials reported that he earned an associate's degree and actively participated in violence prevention and sobriety counseling programs. His achievements during his incarceration, along with his surrender to the authorities, led a prosecutor from the Manhattan District Attorney's office to recommend clemency for Coleman.

While the rapper has been granted a reduced sentence, the brother of the victim, John Henkel, declined to comment on the recent development. In a previous interview, Robert Henkel had expressed his opposition to Coleman's bid for clemency, stating that he believed the rapper should serve his full 15-year sentence before being considered for parole.

With G Dep's clemency, the rapper now has the opportunity to rebuild his life outside of prison walls, aiming to make positive contributions to society and leave his troubled past behind. As the hip-hop world awaits his potential return, the impact of his music and the journey that lies ahead remain to be seen.

The granting of clemency to G Dep has sparked debates surrounding the appropriate length of sentences for cases involving murder, emphasizing the challenging balance between rehabilitation and ensuring justice for victims and their families.