MHD, the 29-year-old French rapper whose real name is Mohamed Sylla, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a gang-related murder that occurred in Paris in 2018.

The court found him guilty of his role in the killing of Loic K, who was struck by MHD’s Mercedes car and subsequently beaten and stabbed by a group of up to 12 individuals.

MHD had maintained his innocence throughout the trial, entering a “not guilty” plea. Five of his co-defendants were also convicted, while three others were acquitted.

The evidence against MHD included footage filmed by a local resident, eyewitness identifications based on his haircut and a Puma sweatshirt he wore (as he was a brand ambassador for Puma), and the discovery of his abandoned and burned-out car in a parking lot a day after the murder.

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MHD rose to fame with his pioneering genre known as afro-trap, a fusion of hip-hop and African traditions. Despite his legal troubles, he gained international recognition and even drew admiration from global stars like Drake and Madonna.

He had been charged with homicide in January 2019 and spent a year and a half in custody before his release while investigations continued, during which time he released a new album.

Upon the announcement of the verdict, emotions ran high in the courtroom, with several women in the public gallery bursting into tears. MHD hugged one of them but maintained his composure.

Born in France to Guinean and Senegalese parents, the rapper is best known for his song “Afro Trap Part 3 (Champions League),” dedicated to the Paris Saint-Germain football club.