Brown was raised by his mother, Shirley James 'Jaz' Brown, a clerk at the Sacramento County courthouse. Brown subsequently joined the 24th Street Garden Blocc Crips. In 1992, Brown released his debut album, Psycho Active, before being arrested in March with four other Crips for the killing of Patricia Harris during a home invasion, with the prosecution citing Brown's lyrics in his trial, accusing Brown of premeditated murder. The weapon that was used to kill Harris was never found, and Brown maintains that he is innocent.
Brown's second album, Xorcist, was recorded over the phone while he was in jail awaiting trial. He was later sentenced to 31 years in prison. His third album, Unforgiven, was recorded on a DAT recorder smuggled in by a prison guard. Brown also operated a record label, Bloc Star Entertainment from prison. The recordings Brown made while in prison documented the maturation of Brown's psychological development as he processed the gravity of his imprisonment. In 2010, Brown was stabbed seven times during a prison riot by inmates affiliated with the Northern Riders gang, in retaliation after Brown had refused to record a rap album for them.
Brown was paroled on September 14, 2018 after serving 26 years in prison, due to a letter of support from Lyle and Erik Menendez, whom Brown had befriended in prison, who wrote that Brown "has developed into a kind and patient person, rooted in integrity, and passionate about his ideas." Brown expressed remorse for his past criminal activity, and expressed the intention leading a new life as a changed man, as well as marking a change in his career and lyrical style. After being released from prison, Brown signed with BMG Rights Management. In 2022, Brown signed with Strange Music.

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