Rap News Rundown: 2 Chainz, Lil Scrappy and Rick Ross
Last week, 2 Chainz caught a break, while Lil Scrappy and DMX confirmed that reality television is no place for a rapper, and others gathered around Rick Ross for support.
2 Chainz Cleared in Drug Possession Case
2 Chainz was found not guilty on drug charges last Wednesday. The charges were in connection with a February arrest in Maryland, when the southern rapper’s vehicle got pulled over for speeding and the police smelled marijuana. The search turned up a grinder and plastic baggie containing a trace of the drug inside of the rapper’s knapsack. But during the short trial, the Atlanta-based performer’s security guard claimed responsibility for the paraphernalia being placed in 2 Chainz’s backpack.
The judge cleared the rapper due to lack of evidence proving that the items belonged to him.
Reality TV Takes a Toll on Lil Scrappy and DMX
Last week, Lil Scrappy and DMX both provided solid cases for why rappers should not appear on reality TV until their careers are absolutely over (à la Uncle Luke, Consequence and Vanilla Ice).
Scrappy turned himself over to Atlanta police last Tuesday over a possible probation violation and, of course, the entire ordeal was recorded for his show, Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta. According to reports, the southern performer turned in a “questionable” urine sample and refused to provide another when asked by his probation officer. In other sad news, Scap’s paychecks from the show are reportedly being garnished until he can pay back an overdue six-figure bill to a booking agency.
DMX, on the other hand, claims to have been duped into having his dirty laundry aired on television. The embattled rapper reportedly thought his appearance on Iyanla: Fix My Life would feature his addiction to women. The conversation instead focused on his drug addiction and the toll it has taken on his personal and professional life. It wasn’t long before he began acting erratically and sobbing uncontrollably.
Snoop and Others Defend Rick Ross’s “Freedom of Speech”
Snoop Lion and other rappers, including Meek Mill and Tyga, are standing up for fellow MC Rick Ross after the lyricist was dropped by Reebok over a controversial lyric on Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O.” A common thread among all of the rationalizations is the protection afforded the performer by freedom of speech. Although Ross has the right to say what he wants, he’s not immune to the consequences of his actions. If he wants to boast about date rape on an already mediocre song (sorry, Rocko, it’s true), he has that right, but fans have the right to protest it—and brands have the right to disassociate themselves from him. All in all, Ross’s choice of how to exercise his freedom of speech could cost him up to $5 million a year.
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Rap News Rundown: 2 Chainz, Lil Scrappy and Rick Ross
Last week, 2 Chainz caught a break, while Lil Scrappy and DMX confirmed that reality television is no place for a rapper, and others gathered around Rick Ross for support.
2 Chainz Cleared in Drug Possession Case
2 Chainz was found not guilty on drug charges last Wednesday. The charges were in connection with a February arrest in Maryland, when the southern rapper’s vehicle got pulled over for speeding and the police smelled marijuana. The search turned up a grinder and plastic baggie containing a trace of the drug inside of the rapper’s knapsack. But during the short trial, the Atlanta-based performer’s security guard claimed responsibility for the paraphernalia being placed in 2 Chainz’s backpack.
The judge cleared the rapper due to lack of evidence proving that the items belonged to him.
Reality TV Takes a Toll on Lil Scrappy and DMX
Last week, Lil Scrappy and DMX both provided solid cases for why rappers should not appear on reality TV until their careers are absolutely over (à la Uncle Luke, Consequence and Vanilla Ice).
Scrappy turned himself over to Atlanta police last Tuesday over a possible probation violation and, of course, the entire ordeal was recorded for his show, Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta. According to reports, the southern performer turned in a “questionable” urine sample and refused to provide another when asked by his probation officer. In other sad news, Scap’s paychecks from the show are reportedly being garnished until he can pay back an overdue six-figure bill to a booking agency.
DMX, on the other hand, claims to have been duped into having his dirty laundry aired on television. The embattled rapper reportedly thought his appearance on Iyanla: Fix My Life would feature his addiction to women. The conversation instead focused on his drug addiction and the toll it has taken on his personal and professional life. It wasn’t long before he began acting erratically and sobbing uncontrollably.
Snoop and Others Defend Rick Ross’s “Freedom of Speech”
Snoop Lion and other rappers, including Meek Mill and Tyga, are standing up for fellow MC Rick Ross after the lyricist was dropped by Reebok over a controversial lyric on Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O.” A common thread among all of the rationalizations is the protection afforded the performer by freedom of speech. Although Ross has the right to say what he wants, he’s not immune to the consequences of his actions. If he wants to boast about date rape on an already mediocre song (sorry, Rocko, it’s true), he has that right, but fans have the right to protest it—and brands have the right to disassociate themselves from him. All in all, Ross’s choice of how to exercise his freedom of speech could cost him up to $5 million a year.