. >> reporter: last year louisiana governor john bel edwards granted him clemency., mack is still invested in the future of the music industry. volunteering here at this after-school program. >> kids is going to blurt out whatever. i love to see them learn. i love to see the look in their eyes when they learn something new. you know, it kind of almost makes me relive my youth in that split-second again. >> reporter: while mack empathizes with thug and gunna, he has a warning to young rappers out there who may face the same fate. >> be mindful that anything you say can be used against you. >> what's your advice, i guess, to that next generation of artists, particularly black artists, who are looking to rap, looking to become the next hip-hop star? what do you say to them? >> if you love what you do, do it. and i would definitely not tell them to censor their art. that's what people like myself and others are here to try to make sure that they don't have to censor their art, that they can be free, that they could express themselves. >> our thanks to ashan. >>> coming