Rapper/producer Grand Master Jay, the former leader of the Not F### ing Around Coalition (NFAC), was sentenced to seven years and two months in prison in 2022.
The situation involving Grand Master Jay— real name Dr. John F. Johnson—is a complex and controversial one. Johnson’s sentence by a Louisville, Kentucky judge stems from an incident in which he was accused of pointing his rifle at Louisville metro police officers during a rally. The rally, held by the NFAC, took place the night before the 2020 Kentucky Derby and was in protest of Breonna Taylor’s murder. Taylor was tragically killed by police in her apartment during a no-knock raid.
Johnson denied ever threatening officers, a notion in line with his modus operandi of obeying the laws of the land. He asserted that his actions were in response to a perceived threat from teenagers on a roof, but his defense didn’t resonate during the trial. Furthermore, the viral support that took over social media, YouTube and other platforms seemed to dissipate as quickly as it materialized showing how fickle sideline observers can be.
Nevertheless, Johnson remains, although he’s in federal prison.
“I’m alive and breathing and I’m able to count my fingers and my toes and I’m living through every day, so I guess I could say I’m all right,” he tells AllHipHop from FCI Ashland Federal in Kentucky.
The NFAC and Johnson have quieted greatly in the aftermath of the leader’s incarceration. In a previous interview with AllHipHop, Johnson said his supporters were in “sleep mode.” The all-Black militia was founded by Johnson in the wake of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery’s hunt-and-murder, but they followed the law consistently in their struggle for racial justice and police reform. But, being unbowed can create new plights and that’s where Johnson is now.
Johnson’s new ordeal began in April 2023, when medical staff at the Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.) detected alarming signs in his health: an irregular heartbeat, skyrocketing blood pressure and high cholesterol. Subsequent tests at a civilian medical center between June and August 2023 uncovered a rapidly deteriorating heart condition, stroke-level blood pressure and an erratic heart rhythm. Contrary to initial beliefs, they were not pre-existing conditions.
He explains exactly what he went through when cardiologists projected a life expectancy of 24 months last year.
“Back in April, I was diagnosed with having a cardiological condition that only gave me 24 months to live, so there was no way I would finish this sentence, so the Bureau of Prisons began taking steps to correct that,” he says. “I had a failing heart valve and also had a lot of chronic conditions that were spinning off of that. My heart was basically backfiring, so I was suffering from chronic heart failure. So what they ended up doing was through a series of tests and so forth, over the period of six months, it was determined that I would need several operations to save my life.
“These operations were not performed here inside of the prison. I was taken to one of the best cardiological medical centers here in the country under secret and returned. The operations were done. One of those operations was in November. The other one was in December, about a month ago. I came through both of those with flying colors, and right now I’m going through rehabilitation and recuperation.”
He continues, “I have to learn to walk again, you got to remember they cut me open. They literally break me open, cut my heart open, put me on a bypass machine and install a valve in my heart and I’m pumping, then close me back up.”
While he experienced a health crisis, Johnson’s legal battle for freedom continued to unfold. His federal conviction appeal progressed through the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and was scheduled for October 2023. Additionally, efforts to secure a commutation of his sentence were underway, contingent on the appeal’s outcome. The court, however, affirmed his sentence on October 23, 2023, which—in a twist of fate—allowed his commutation request to proceed to The White House.
In early November 2023, Johnson underwent his first heart operation. By November 15, a motion for Compassionate Release was filed, triggering a 30-day window for the B.O.P. to respond, after which Johnson could directly petition the courts.
He then underwent major open-heart surgery on December 18, 2023, followed by intensive care and a lengthy recovery period. His reps tell us his medical needs far exceed the capabilities of the prison that houses him. Moreover, Johnson was returned to his original institution, causing more concerns with his constituency.
In a significant development, new United States Sentencing Commission guidelines expanded medical grounds for Compassionate Release motions as of November 1, 2023. The change, prompted by cases like Johnson’s, has led to several successful compassionate release motions across the country. With the B.O.P.’s 30-day response period having elapsed on December 15, 2023, Johnson’s legal team is now preparing a motion for his release due to his health quandary.
Johnson’s health continues to improve inside FCI Ashland federal prison, but his ardent followers feel his longterm aftercare would be better managed outside under the care of personal physicians and loved ones. They are asking for support, especially from those who once backed him as he fought for those slain in blatant hate crimes. Cards, letters and other well-wishes are being collected and encouraged, which offer a beacon of hope and solidarity in his fight for health and freedom.
Johnson remains unbowed and continues to progress. Last December, he celebrated his 60th birthday. He earned his doctorate from the The Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College, a fully accredited school that offers masters and doctorate degree programs. Johnson was awarded the Doctorate of Humanities last year, before the surgeries, appeals and requests for commutations from Biden. His story continues.
“There’s a bigger picture you need to look at,” he ponders. “There’s a much bigger picture.”
More later.
Correspondence can be sent to:
C/O: Dr. John F. Johnson #20257509
FCI – Ashland
P.O. Box 6001
Ashland, KY 41105
c/o: John F Johnson #20257509
“I can understand why what is happening to me is happening to me and the movement. There are multiple things going on right now. You can let them do what they always do, which is demonize the Black man in the media. They’re not going to talk good about you. Stop wishing on a star. That’s why we need our news, not just on social media but our world.”
Grand Master Jay in 2022