G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo’s arrest this weekend for allegedly roughing up the 14-year-old son of the man who manages rival artist The Game is bad news for everyone. It’s still far from clear exactly what happened on the day in question, but it doesn’t sound like it was much fun for the alleged victim. Yayo himself (pictured), who pled not guilty on Sunday and was released from jail on $5,000 bail, can’t be enjoying the process either. ("We adamantly deny the allegations as set forth by the District Attorney’s office," Yayo’s attorney, Scott E. Leemon, told EW.com today.) And in a larger sense, this turn of events is unfortunate for hip-hop as a whole. However this case is resolved, the last thing the world needs is another excuse for media mavens to trot out the old, tired stereotype of rap as an inherently violence-prone genre. If Bill O’Reilly hasn’t made some offensive generalizations based on Yayo’s arrest yet, I’m sure he’ll get around to it soon.
But the person who may be least happy about the charges against Yayo is his friend and boss, 50 Cent. Initial reports claimed that he was present at the alleged scuffle in downtown Manhattan. The rapper’s attorney, Benjamin Brafman, issued a denial: "One thing I can say with absolute certainty… is that at the time of the alleged incident, 50 Cent was not in New York State," Brafman said in a statement.
Why is 50 Cent — a guy who regularly brags about his criminal past, who just last month was releasing straight-to-YouTube videos featuring angry threats against fellow rappers — so eager to distance himself from this story? The truth is, despite 50’s exaggerated on-record persona, there’s just no way for a grown man to turn rumors that he might have been somehow involved in beating up a real-life teenager to his advantage. True or false, this is not the kind of story that’s going to get fans excited to buy 50’s new album, which is scheduled for a summer release. Ultimately, it seems, there is such a thing as bad publicity.
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This may truly be the most ridiculous article I’ve ever read on EW. “Old, tired stereotypes”? Bro, did you even READ your own article? Did a guy associated with 50 cent not just beat up A 14 YEAR OLD BOY??? Did 50 Cent not release videos of himself onto Youtube threatening other rappers? What is this, middle school? How old is 50 Cent again, 12 years old or something? How exactly would you expect the media to react? “Tonight at 11: Tony Yayo, a grown man, beats up a 14 year old boy…..but he’s a great guy, really!!” LOL Get serious, he’s a punk and a thug, and lives up to every single ACCURATE stereotype of a thug rapper that you can think of. I love how gangsta rap throws out these “stereotypes” on every single album, then complains about “profiling” when they proceed to live up to the negative bile they spew out of their mouths. You reap what you sow, sorry, that’s life in the big city.
I’ve been following this entire story all weekend & I think its a ruse. Yes, the slapping of a 14 yr. old boy is HIGHLY inappropriate, especially by a former convict, but bottom-line I think this is all an elaborate set-up. G-Unit member, Youngbuck’s new cd, “BUCK THE WORLD” hits stores tomorrow & eventhough the Game & 50’s G-Unit crew may not be amicable any longer, I think this is all a sham for free press to promote the new G-Unit release since thier records haven’t been selling as well as when they first did a few years ago. Its sad if thats the case since they’re using a teenager as their focal point. Interscope Records, which distributes Aftermath/G-Unit releases must be hard pressed today, since Tony Yayo was also one of the rappers said to be involved in the scuffle that resulted in the death of Busta Rhymes’ bodyguard, Izzy Ramirez a year ago. It was also announced today that NY State had rescinded the plea bargain they offer Rhymes earlier this year. They want answers…
Sigh…as much as I like the rap genre, it’s just getting that much harder to defend it when crap like this happens. And as much as I hate the genre being stereotyped – don’t even get me started on Bill O’Reiley -the fact that no other genre of music comes close to the amount of arrests/attacks/killings that result (not even rock) is impossible to ignore.
Gangsta rap may have been revolutionary when NWA released Straight Outta Compton, but now it’s responsible for turning hip-hop into a parody of itself.
Whoa – could that have been Bill-O himself disguised as Hutchy above with his “most ridiculous item” of the day? Way to go, EW!
As a former New Yorker, I can say without any hesitation that the stereotypes are true. When rap first hit the scene it was mostly positive, but now, what you see is what you get. Even if this particular case was a staged for publicity, it doesn’t make the rest of its history false.
Great initiative! I hope your work will help people to know deeply about these. I hope we can establish a strong community of fans and enthusiasts via this effort.
john/cuesight.com
That 50 cent’s trying to distance himself from this says something. Even for violent prone gangsters, you gotta have limits. Smackin’ hos, drinking 40’s, and blowing drug profits on record labels and threatening to bust a cap in your rival’s heineken is all in good fun. But clearly one must draw the line at hitting people under the age of 18…
I’ve got to admit those are some wacko standards.
As for stereotypes, rap has always been purchased mostly by white suburban high school kids and college students. I don’t see this music inspiring them to go gangsta, as most the rap fans I grew up with are Republicans now.
First of all, I’m DEFINATELY not Bill O’Reilly LOL Im a moderate Democrat who think Bill is a loofa-carrying joke. However, it is what it is, gangsta rap is a cancer on American pop culture. Ep Sato, it says something when the things you listed are considered “in the game”, but smacking a 14 year old, WHOA NOW!! Lets not go too far here, smacking some hood rat or shooting someone who steps on your shoe, totally allowed. Smacking minors, now THATS out of bounds!! LOL riiiiight. Jason Bonkers, of course the stereotypes are true, stereotypes dont just emerge fully formed out of the air, they are formed over time by a consensus of popular opinion. If gangsta rap is so worried about being stereotyped, why not lift a finger to CHANGE the perception? At least Nas is making an effort to change the topic of conversation somewhat.
thank you brother simon for having the courage to speak the truth. before the white man turned rap stars into their personal slaves – violence was virtually unknown in this peaceful community. early rap songs spoke of the importance of resolving conflicts through non-violent diplomacy, woman were portrayed goddesses and men spoke of the tremendous joy they derived from raising their children. this proud history was of course buried by the jewish media and now penniless rap stars have no other choice but to “act tough” just to survive. they are the true victims here.
Hutchy: Of course some fit the stereotype, but not all do. In this case it is true. No need for the sarcasm. Popular opinion is not always correct. Madonna sells millions of records but her talent is an enigma. All buy her products think of her as some great singer;go figure that one out.
Rap has become garbarge. I am happy to see there is at least one sociologist expert on this post it board. Hutchy, keep up the good work. Do you live in the “inner-city.”?
Like Hutchy, I am a moderate democrat. Personally, I am sickened by how the religious right has hijacked our country with their “faith-based” initatives and what not.
That said, I hope this does spell trouble for 50 Cent. Now, anyone that can distance themselves from a crappy upbringing certainly does get my respect and support.
But keep in mind that this guy still seems to embrace – and almost celebrate – his criminal nature and background. And society is holding this guy up as some sort of role model.
If the guy stayed out of trouble, then I’d say, “Okay, here is someone that overcame a bad childhood. Here is someone to be admired.” But he’s not, and we shouldn’t.
I’m sure the racist, redneck, and “According to Jim” comments are going to come flying at me from the apologists now, but, honestly, people, what in the hell happened to accountability and shame in our society?
50 Cent should probably go away until he learns to act like a non-criminal.
And, to a point, I agree with Steven as well. Rap, at one point, was a revolutionary, positive art form that was to be respected and celebrated.
There are still a few that walk that path, but the majority of it is garbage. I don’t know that I would necessarily blame that on the Jews – Suge Knight certainly is no Jew, and he is just as corrupt and shady as anyone in the industry.
Bottom line is that I wish rap was the way it was back when it first started. Rappers, in general, need to take pause, get back to their roots, and show respect to those that started it.
Says the white, middle-class hesher.
There are times when I am embarrassed to be a liberal and this is one of them. Simon – do you actually believe the nonsense you write?
Violence is to rap what getting stoned was to sixties rock.
And when the hits stop coming, and when the money dries up – it’s only going to get worse. It’ll be just like a VH1 “Behind the Music” – only instead of fried minds there are going to be broken bodies. Why? Because the philosophy they created their entire lives around will not age well. Their definition of what a man is, and what a woman is, and what personal responsibility is – will only lead to tragedy.
Unless, of course, the hip hop community itself decides that it’s had enough of glamorizing the thug life at the expense of the hearts and minds of their children. That will a good day.
I do believe there’s a need for personal responsibility, but albums by positive artists don’t sell. Guys like Common, KRS One, Mos Def, Tribe (and most of the native tongues movement for that matter) have pretty much left the scene and are now actors or do the speaking tour set.
IMHO, the market is to blame for this. Nas’s comment about how “hip hop is dead” is a fairly biting assessment. Hip hop is a fantastic form of artistic expression, but the cutting edge jazz style artists, those who make us think and who are trying to go beyond a lowest common denominator, unfortunately, are not the rappers who sell records. Occasionally a Common or Ceelo will get recognition, but only when they “leave” the genre.
More on this: When Snoop Dogg was singing about murder, west coast groups like the Freestyle Fellowship and Spearhead were talking about creating positive a African American identity. Now I ask Aceyalone fans, who sold a few million copies and who’s been sent to obscurity?
As usual, I have to agree with Ep. Every stupid white kid I knew growing up had Snoop’s debut album.
Arrested Development, Black Sheep, etc. however…a couple of songs on MTV, and then a quick departure.
On a semi-related topic, I was reading something the other day about a relatively new genre known as “satanic rap”. I had to laugh at that. As if “gangsta rap” was morally bankrupt enough!
Well, for those of you that hated 80’s metal, satanic metal didn’t exactly help keep it all alive. Maybe this will do the same for the more negative aspects of rap.
I’m going to go listen to The Roots now. Y’all be good!
Did anyone here happen to watch that PBS documentary about rap last month (look in the popwatch backpages if you’re interested)? Some of the stuff mentioned in the doc was common knowledge, but it had some pretty interesting topics to discuss. The biggest one I remember is the director asking some aspiring gangsta rappers to go the reverse route and talk about something informative. Surprisingly enough, all of them had something meaningful to rap about instead of the bile that hits the airwaves these days. Their excuse for not going that direction? It’s because that’s not what the music execs want (Ep Sato’s statement isn’t far off from that sentiment). Despite hip-hop being a multi-billion dollar industry, it’s pretty bad that to this day, the biggest distributors are still a bunch of corporate white executives in suits instead of blacks who helped invent the genre. It’s a shame.
I’m not saying that there isn’t a certain economic incentive to make thug-oriented music – but you can only lay so much blame at the feet of the record companies. The marketplace drives our capitalistic society. That has absolutely nothing to do with race and that’s the mistake too many Black activists make. “They” can be black or white – “they” can sell music or video games or porno or guns – “they” just want to make a much money as possible. And the only antidote to all this crap being marketed to our kids is to constantly de-glamorize the empty and destructive myths they are peddling.
In the case of rap – at some point all of the enlightened Black stars need to lead the charge against this garbage because any time a white person tries to help – they are immediately dismissed as a racist” who is trying to censor the authentic voices of the Black community. They have know idea that many of us are speaking out precisely because we do care so much about the Black community.
I’m torn. I’ve been a fan of hip-hop music since the early 90’s when it when it transitioned from the New Jack Swing R&B tracks to the gangsta rap phase, to now, where hip-hop dominates not just Urban radio, but Pop radio as well… & I’m a 28 yr. old, white gay guy that was raised in Philadelphia. When I worked in radio years ago, there was actual DEBATE in the music offices of what tracks we COULD or SHOULD play. I remember arguing with my Program Director over initial spins for the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo MONEY, MO PROBLEMS” track, weeks after Biggie’s death. The murder was fresh in listeners’ minds (still is 10 yrs. later) but regardless of the Diana Ross sample and familiarity, my boss said it needed to be a hit at Urban radio before we could support the artist, since he was NOT a key artist at Top 40 radio at the time. And yet, turn on any Pop radio now & you’ll hear them spinning numerous B.I.G. records as “oldies” or “classics”. Things have def. changed in the last 10 yrs. alone
1. Agree with t3hdow. You didn’t see Russell Simmons producing this crap in 1985.
2. Agree with MZ, as well. A prime example of someone in the rap community that has begun to portray a more positive image? Ice Cube. Now he is panned for that in some circles. Sad.
3. Something just dawned on me. Tony Yayo. YAYO – slang for cocaine, first popularized in “Scarface”. Shocker.
4. Which makes me think back to how some of the gansta rappers have hijacked things that were current in the media and used them. For instance, there is/was a duo called “Tariq and Noreaga”. Hmmm. I’m surprised some idiot rapper hasn’t named himself Osama yet.
5. Bottom line is that rap needs to bring positivity back to the forefront – for it’s credibility and even it’s survival.
Okay, look at the picture of Tony for a second. In your mind’s eye, put dark, plastic rim sunglasses on him. Got the visual? Good…
Now, anyone want to tell me where Tone Loc is these days? LOL!!!
Royale With Cheese….in all fairness, it was two separate duos…Capone & Noreaga (who now just goes by N.O.R.E.) & it was Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, who only had 1 hit, “Deja Vu (Uptown Anthem)”.
You are absolutely correct. My apologies. It’s been quite awhile, my memory slips. It’s not like I was an expert to begin with!
But, it further bolsters my point – a guy that uses the most notorious gangster in our country’s history as his stage name – Capone. Nice!
Hell, why we’re at it, why not a rapper named Bundy (Ted, not Al), Dahmer, Gacy, or McVeigh? Better yet, maybe Lil’ Kim can change her name to Wuornos! How classy!
Dude, where is KRS-One when we need him?
1. I’m from Baltimore, definately not the inner city LOL I wouldn’t wish the Bmore inner city on anyone, I’m a suburbs white kid.
2. If you talk to anyone in the rap community, there’s one thing they all agree on: they love Gnarls Barkley. Like LOVE them. Why? Because its not the same old same old you hear, they are trying something different and out of the mainstream
3. Everyone is right when they say record execs pushed for this, but it was way earlier then people realize. Teenage boys care about 4 things: girls, fighting, money, and cars. All through the 80’s, hair metal filled that void, but when grunge came along, a void was created. Nirvana was NOT singing about girls and money. Puffy (a marketing visionary) saw the opening and jumped in, and the rest is history. Remember those shiny mid-90’s Puffy and Biggy videos? Aimed smack dab at the white teenagers of the midwest. Everything has just spiraled from there, after all, white midwest kids dont buy songs about Black Pride.
Hutchy, you are spot on with that analysis. I did have more to add to the discussion, but why beat the dead horse more?
It makes me long for the days when I heard “South Bronx, South South Bronx” blaring out of a boom box…again coming from the white hesher.
Everyone knows who the biggest badass in rap is… Washington!*
*Yeah, I know this video is about a year old, but indulge me.
Yes, Tom, well I am a little new to the YouTube party, so that would be the first time I saw that. I am still reeling from the Pepsi coming out of my nose. Thanks so much.
Who know he had two sets? I guess that’s what happened to Hitler’s other half. LOL!
Sounded a bit like King Missile, but I could be wrong…
spare a rod and spoil the child.
spare the rod and spoil the child
I think many of you folks are missing the point here all of the guns TI had are legally obtainable weapons in Georgia the only reason he was in trouble was because of his criminal history there isnt any famous person who doesnt use armed guards for security, he was stupid for not doing that. But their are plenty of stars that have had trouble with the law outside hip hop tim allen sold herioin for pete sake. Look at where these cats come from, and the success they have had it makes them natural targets for crime you cant expect them not defend themselves.