Free (Insert Your Favorite Rapper Here)

November 13, 2009 |2 Comments| by skip

It’s about that time guys. It’s time for another mini-rant from your boy Skip. I’ve been thinking about this for some time now and with Gucci Mane getting locked up again, I feel like I need to speak on this. How many of you personally know Gucci, Boosie, Wayne, T.I., or any rapper behind bars (or on their way)? Yet we as a fan of their music are so quick to jump to their defense. The mixtapes, the t-shirts. Why?

Do you guys know why some of these people are in jail? Let’s make a little list, shall we.

C-Murder: Found guilty of murder.

Chi Ali: Found guilty of murder.

Turk: Found guilty of second-degree attempted murder and firearm possession.

Prodigy: Found guilty of illegal gun possession.

Mystikal: Found guilty of extortion and sexual battery.

And the list goes on and on. This is a very dicey subject. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should automatically crucify a rapper for being in prison, I’m just saying that we, as intelligent young men and women, need to examine the facts before making a decision. Just because we enjoy someone’s music doesn’t mean we should act like they didn’t commit the crime.

I remember when football player Donte Stallworth served 24 days for his hit-and-run ordeal which left a man dead. Many of us were up in arms. Now what if 50 Cent had been behind the wheel? Then what? Would we act like it’s alright because the man sold millions of records and has a line of Vitamin Water? I bet if I ever get locked up, I won’t be seeing Curtis with a “Free Skip” t-shirt on.

All I’m saying is that we really need to make better decisions. Some of these rappers we love go on to commit crimes which they end up paying for with prison time. It’s one thing to forgive, it’s another to cast aside facts because of fame.

Think. Analyze. Then act.