Baby Blue, from the R&B group Pretty Ricky, has been released from federal prison after just a year of his 20-month sentence for his wire fraud scam.

As reported by TMZ, Baby Blue was released on February 7 from the Federal Correctional Institution Coleman Low in Florida. The musician announced that he would drop a new album after his release and change his name to Bigg Money Blue.

The requirements around his early release say that Blue will have to be under supervision for the next three years, and he’s expected to pay

$1,111,345.23 in restitution. The 38-year-old, whose real name is Diamond Blue Smith, told the Shade Room that his release was due to the First Step Act.

He said, “I met a lot of real n***** in the feds. A lot of good street n***** doing time in this fucked up system just for hustling and getting money to support they families. Anybody out there that got a loved one behind them walls make sure y’all show love. Y’all all they got and that commissary expensive than a b****! I appreciate all the love and support from my family, friends, and fans!” 

He added, “Officially changing my name to BIGG MONEY BLUE. Shoutout to my n***** at Coleman Prison! I’m bout to get back to the MONEY! LET’S GO!!!” Blue has since been transferred to the Bureau of Prisons’ Miami Residential Reentry Management Office, and he’s expected to be under supervision in community confinement until April 4.

As previously reported by Sis2Sis, Blue was arrested for falsely filing for the Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic. He was said to have obtained millions through the PPP loan scam from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in 2020.