G Herbo has spoken out for the first time since it was announced he was facing federal fraud charges earlier in December. The Chicago-bred rapper maintains his innocence on a new Hollywood Cole-produced song called “Statement,” which was released on Friday (December 18).
“Let’s talk about this paper,” he raps. “Let’s talk about them jets/Yeah, let’s talk about Jamaica/Ask about me, I ain’t never been a fraud/I went hard from the start/In my city, I’m a God muthafucka/If you know, you know/Never been no phony though.”
Directed by JMP, the music video finds Herbo in his garage and cruising around the city. The track itself notably samples Dipset‘s “I Really Mean It,” which was produced by Just Blaze using Major Harris’ 1976 song “I Got Over Love.”
G Herbo, his music promoter and other members of his crew were named in a federal fraud case on December 2, alleging they “used stolen identifications to charge more than a million dollars worth of exotic services over a four-year period.” According to the 14-count indictment filed in Massachusetts, they stole identities for private jets, limousine rides, exotic car rentals, designer puppies and a villa in Jamaica.
However, a rep for the rapper quickly claimed he was innocent and that he welcomed the chance to prove himself in court.
“He maintains his innocence and looks forward to establishing his innocence in court,” his rep said. “Herbo has legal representation in Massachusetts via Prince Lobel, whose team has reached out to the US Attorney’s office in Massachusetts to make arrangements for Herbo’s appearance. G Herbo will appear in Massachusetts whenever he is required either in person or via Zoom.”
Herbo, who is allowed to remain free on a $75,000 bond, pleaded not guilty on December 9 and entered his plea via a videoconference from Los Angeles. If convicted at trial, he faces up to six years in prison.
His last album PTSD dropped in February with features from 21 Savage, Juice WRLD, Lil Durk, Lil Uzi Vert, Chance The Rapper, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Polo G and more. The project debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart with roughly 59,000 equivalent album units.