BY-NC-SA This month, in a New York courtroom, Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted gun possession, adding him to the long list of rappers with criminal records. From 50 Cent to T.I., Beanie Sigel to Gucci Mane, it seems rappers who rhyme about the streets and criminal activity feel the need to have prison sentences on their "rap resumé." Credibility is their motive. MTV reports that fans think Lil Wayne's time behind bars won't hurt his career. But the fans encourage these federally funded "vacations," making them a rite of passage.
First, fans in barbershops, auto detail shops, and internet message boards scrutinize rappers to determine whether or not they are "real" and attempt to hold them accountable for the images they portray. Rappers whose arrest records and hospital admissions reflect their gangsta persona are validated by the rap community and supported with consumer dollars.
Then, when artists are thrown in jail, for whatever reason, guilty or not, fans architect these insane "Free MC Thus and Such" campaigns. In 2001, when Bad Boy Records rapper, Shyne was sentenced to ten years in prison for firing a gun inside of a crowded nightclub, almost immediately the "Free Shyne" movement began. It's true some rappers have spent time in prison for questionable charges, like Wyclef Jean's protege, John Forte, who was recently pardoned by George W. Bush (of all people). I have a big problem, however, with instantly making these rappers out to be political prisoners.
If Mumia Abu Jamal (an activist believed to be framed for the murder of a Philadelphia police officer) had as many people behind him as Gucci Mane does every time he goes back and forth to jail, Mumia would probably not be on death row right now.
It is time to remove these mandatory requirements from a rapper's resumé. Consumers shouldn't encourage and validate lawlessness. Stop screaming"Free Lil Wayne." I'm going to start the movement to "Free Lil Wayne's Mind!"
An interesting video on "real" rappers...
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