Skepta brought in the new year by calling for J Hus to be freed from prison.
The award-winning rapper, whose real name is Momodou Jallow, was caught carrying a knife in a public place after police stopped his vehicle near Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, east London on June 21.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how the star was in his car with his girlfriend when the pair were stopped by police officers after they smelled cannabis.
When they asked the rapper if he was carrying any illegal items, Jallow told the officers that he was in possession of a six-inch folding knife.
According to the BBC, Jallow was subsequently arrested and replied “You know, it’s Westfield” when police asked why he was carrying the weapon.
He later described his choice to carry a knife as “ill-advised” and “utterly stupid”. Jallow’s lawyer Henry Blaxland added that Jallow said: “I was not in the right state of mind. I’m deeply sorry and regret my foolish actions.”
Judge Sheila Canavan told the court she would be “failing in my duty” if she did not hand down a custodial sentence to the star. He was sentenced to eight months in prison.
During a series of tweets after midnight last night (December 31), Skepta tweeted: “Acceptance will set you free” before adding, “FREE J HUS”. You can see those tweets below.
Acceptance will set you free.
— Big Smoke – (@Skepta) January 1, 2019
FREE J HUS
— Big Smoke – (@Skepta) January 1, 2019
J Hus has six previous convictions for 10 offences committed between 2011 and 2016 – including possession of a knife.
He has been previously convicted of violent disorder and was handed an ASBO.