Lil Boosie was released from the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola Wednesday night (March 5).

The Baton Rouge-bred rapper born Torrence Hatch was locked up in 2009 for marijuana possession, and his freedom has been anticipated like some rap fans fiend for new albums. Almost immediately upon his release, Twitter was littered with "Free Boosie" notes and he became a Trending Topic in countries around the globe, reports WAFB.

"Welcome home Bad Azz!" tweeted Bun B. 

The actual date of Boosie's release had been changed numerous times in the last few months, and most recently was kept quiet — even from Boosie himself — due to "safety concerns and protocols."

While in jail, Boosie, 31, remained in the public consciousness with new music, and a murder charge. He was acquitted, but picked up even more charges, as part of a drug ring that was smuggling product into the prison. He also demanded rehab and got his GED. He was on year two of an eight-year sentence when he got out this week.

"I hope that he becomes a productive citizen," East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said, according to The Advocate.

His label, Atlantic Records, has scheduled a news conference in New Orleans for Monday. It is expected he will announce a new deal.

Boosie will be on parole until 2018.

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(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)