A Brooklyn federal jury convicted Ronald "Ra Diggs" Herron, 32, of all 23 charges against him, from racketeering to drug trafficking to gang-related killings between 2001 and 2009, following the month-long trial.
Prosecutors used Herron's "gangsta rap" videos - in which he boasts about belonging to the infamous Bloods street gang, firing weapons and dealing drugs - to argue the lyrics documented his crimes.
Herron's lawyers argued that the lyrics were not autobiographical, but were commentary on crime, violence and drug wars in the inner city.
Following the verdict, US Attorney Loretta Lynch said Herron used the lyrics to glorify his "criminal lifestyle."