Toronto Rapper Top5 Thanks Drake For Lawyers & Release From Prison

Toronto Rapper Top5 Cleared of Murder Charges in 2021 Shooting

Infamous Toronto rapper Top5, whose real name is Hassan Ali, has been acquitted of murder charges related to a fatal shooting that occurred in 2021. After spending over three years in prison, Ali was released on Monday.

Appearing outside a Toronto courthouse following the verdict, Ali expressed his relief, stating, “An innocent man just came home. I feel like Shohei Ohtani. I feel like a baseball player, a superstar.”

The drill rapper had faced first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of 20-year-old Hashim Omar Ali, who was shot while attempting to drive into the parking garage of an apartment building at 40 Falstaff Avenue in January 2021.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Gary Grill, Ali reiterated his innocence outside the courthouse. “I think the evidence against Hassan was entirely circumstantial,” Grill told reporters. “The case against him was not strong at all.”

Grill noted that prosecutors had attempted to use Ali’s lyrics and persona against him, but this approach failed to secure a conviction.

In 2023, Ali garnered attention after recording a music video for his song “21 Questions” while in custody at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton. The song included the line, “I was 18 when I bought a gun, 22 when I shot your son.”

Outside the courthouse, Ali denied any involvement in gang activity, saying, “No, I’m a businessman.” When asked about his connection to the “Go Getem Gang,” he replied, “You’re asking me some incriminating questions,” but shifted focus to praise fellow Toronto rapper Drake. “I’m gonna go chill with my boy Drake all night. He’s been supportive of me to the max!” Ali added, also thanking the Toronto South Detention Centre “for the hospitality.”

Ali was initially arrested by Los Angeles police in October 2021.

Toronto Rapper Top5 is a FREE MAN!

His charges were thrown out on the first day of trial pic.twitter.com/gplqjbkxeR

— keep6ixsolid (@keep6ixsolid) September 23, 2024

Top5 says he’s bringing communities together and buying his lawyer an AP watch

Via @powellbetsy pic.twitter.com/pRwBGmOZlO

— keep6ixsolid (@keep6ixsolid) September 23, 2024