Kanye West Thanks Drake for Larry Hoover Pardon—But Hoover’s Still Behind Bars

In a political-rap crossover twist worthy of its own Netflix docuseries, Kanye West took to X this week to thank none other than Drake—yes, that Drake—for helping to “bring Larry Hoover home.” The post followed Donald Trump’s latest pardon spree, which included the commutation of Hoover’s federal prison sentence. But there’s just one problem: Larry Hoover isn’t free.

Who Is Larry Hoover and Why Is He Still in Prison?

Larry Hoover, founder of the Gangster Disciples, a notorious Chicago street gang, has been in prison since 1973 for ordering the murder of a rival gang member. Though sentenced to 150–200 years in Illinois state prison, federal prosecutors later tacked on another life sentence in 1997, accusing him of continuing to run criminal operations from behind bars.

While Trump’s pardon affects Larry Hoover’s federal sentence, it doesn’t touch his original state conviction, and only a governor can commute that. So, despite the noise, Hoover remains incarcerated.

Kanye, Drake, and the “Free Hoover” Campaign

Kanye West’s message—“Thank you, Drake, for helping to bring Hoover home”—included a throwback image of the pair at the 2021 “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert, an Amazon-sponsored event held at the height of their reconciled bromance. The concert was billed as a public plea for prison reform, explicitly aimed at Hoover’s release.

But here’s where it gets murky: Drake hasn’t commented publicly on Hoover’s pardon, nor has he indicated any direct involvement in lobbying Trump. Kanye West, however, has been vocal on the issue since his infamous 2018 visit to the White House, where he wore a MAGA hat and pitched Hoover’s case to Trump during a televised meeting.

Why Trump Pardoned Hoover—And Why It’s Controversial

Critics argue that Trump’s pardon decision to commute Hoover’s sentence is less about justice reform and more about political theatre. Multiple Black commentators suggest that Trump’s pardoning of Black public figures serves as a performative strategy to win favor with minority voters, all while cutting funding for programs that target systemic racial bias in the criminal justice system.

Still, the commutation came, and Kanye West was quick to celebrate—even if he seemed unaware that state charges still keep Larry Hoover behind bars.

Thank you Drake for for helping to bring Larry Hoover home https://t.co/7GAbLy5M28

— ye (@kanyewest) May 28, 2025

What’s Drake Actually Focused On?

While Kanye West’s social media post credited Drake for Hoover’s partial release, there is no evidence that the Toronto rapper has been involved beyond their shared stage appearance in 2021. More recently, Drake has turned his attention to Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, who is serving a 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion. Unlike Snoop Dogg, who has publicly supported Hoover’s release, Drake has stayed silent.

The Bottom Line: Hoover Isn’t Going Anywhere—Yet

Despite Kanye’s gratitude and Trump’s intervention, Larry Hoover remains imprisoned. Legal efforts continue to challenge his state conviction, but for now, the “Free Hoover” campaign hasn’t succeeded in full. As for Kanye’s viral thank-you to Drake and Trump, it’s more smoke than substance—another bizarre chapter in the ongoing saga of hip-hop, politics, and presidential power.