From its conception, Rap music was about telling a story and creating vivid images of things that one wished to acquire. I have been a fan since the late eighties. When I became a fan, it was during the time of the Self-destruction era. The rappers of that day spoke of empowerment, and tasteful fantasies.
Fast forward, twenty years and it seems as if a great percentage of rapper artist have, or will be facing Incarceration. In the beginning of this week, Rapper Gucci Mane was praised as the break through artist of 2009. Much anticipation and emphasis has been placed on his album due out December 8th, 2009. However, that has now been placed in jeopardy due to his recent incarceration.
Thursday of this past week it was announced that Gucci Mane was place into custody and lead away from the Court room after a probation violation. Now, to the average person who is not a rap fan this is run of the mill news. It is labeled as black man goes to jail for not following the rules. I must say that it was kind of disappointing news to hear myself. Although, I am not a direct fan of Gucci Mane’s music; there is no way to avoid hearing him on the tracks of my favorite artist! This summer along side, Mario and Sean Garrett, he took over the 106 & Park Countdown with the hit smash “Break-up” as well as Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed” Remix. Not to mention, his most recent single, “Wasted”. Now the sad part is that he was sentenced to (12) months in jail for failing to pass urinalysis. Some would say, how could you fail a drug test with so much on the line? At this point we will never know… However, his career is on hold for at least the next (6) months.
Gucci Mane’s case maybe an isolated issue; however, it is not an uncommon situation. T.I. currently is incarcerated for pleading guilty to possessing illegal machine guns and silencers as a convicted felon. Last month Shyne (known as Moses Michael Leviy now) was released from doing 9 years of a 10 year sentence. Shyne’s release was bitter sweet. Many of his supporters were glad to hear he was finally released from prison, only to learn he was deported to his native country of Belize.* Earlier this year, C-Murder was sentenced to life in prison during his appeal trial in the shooting death of a (16) year old in a night club shooting. ** Recently, Lil’ Boosie was just violated for failing to adhere to the terms of his probation for drug and gun charges. He was sentenced to (4) years. This Month, B.G. was arrested again on gun charges. And, Lil’ Wayne just copped to a plea deal on a gun charge, and is facing (12) months in jail.
There has even been a rash of female rappers who have been on the list of incarcerated artists. In 2005, Lil’ Kim was sentenced to 366 days in federal prison for perjury charges. Foxy Brown was sentenced to a year in jail for a probation violation as well as other incidents, in 2007. The following year Remy Ma was sentenced to an eight year sentence for shooting her a friend over a money matter and Da Brat was sentenced to three years for aggravated assault.
As they say, “Sex sells”, I guess incarceration does as well, too! Many of the Artist named in this article have or had successful careers and notoriety that so many young Artist crave. But, what’s the cost? Is losing your freedom worth having the notch on your belt as “you did a bid”? Even though all of the circumstances surrounding each artist’s incarceration were different, it still makes it hard on the millions of fans who love their music and the children who look up to them. Hopefully, the future generations of rap artist don’t feel that jail is the way to go in order to sell albums. There is nothing exciting about being told when you can do things simple as eat, go to the bathroom and shower, not to mention your celebrity status is on hold. In jail everyone has a number, not a name. Being hard and gangsta on wax is entertaining, but like my man B.I.G. said, [there is someone always] ”Ready to Die”; especially, when in a crab in the bucket atmosphere like being incarcerated. Jail is not the place to be and as more and more rappers go to jail, my final thought is who wants to go to jail just to see their favorite artist!
Signing Off…
Mrs. Make It Happen
*Shyne is currently fighting his extradition from Belize. He is trying to return to the States.
**C-Murder has recently asked the Court to declare him indigent, in order her him to gain a new trial.
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