Hip-Hop Police

Hip-Hop is in a State of Emergency! There is a thin line between the music business and the justice system. Within the Hip-Hop industry, entertainment has somehow intertwined with the law. In light of all legal controversy revolving around major artists in the game today, 24hourhiphop.com thought it’d be an appropriate time to mention what’s been going on in the industry between artists and the so-called “Hip-Hop Police.”

From the lifestyle to the music, the authorities believe that the manner the artists are financed to the manner in which they carry themselves have some barring on certain acts of illegal stipulations. A long list of artists through history has had some way or another found themselves in court battling prosecutors for their freedom. Within these trials prosecutors’ have always used their lyrics and lifestyles against them in court, when in reality freedom of expression and entertainment fall into the same category. Without the proper legal representation or the appropriate financing, the end result, unless appealed, is an unspecified amount of time in prison. It has become apparent that their intent is to tear down the infrastructure that Hip-Hop has built. Now, the term Hip-Hop Police does not refer to the Chamillionaire song that he released with Slick Rick last year, however it revolves around the same aspect. If you listen closely to the lyrics, they give you an idea of what the title actually means.

From past to present, Hip-Hop artists have in some way shape or form been involved in some type of legal situation during the span of their music career. Several artists have already served their time, while others are still doing time. Those same artists currently serving time are still in the middle of their appeals, pending approval. Recently, the crack down on artists has been more severe and has involved current chart toppers; these artists are at the moment are either awaiting trial, pleading their case, or awaiting conviction. When it all boils down to the breaking point and all the evidence and witnesses are across the table like a deck of cards, artists are only left with one choice, plead guilty and take the plea bargain prosecutors offer you. Those plea bargains usually include admitting guilt of the crime, felony conviction, and lesser time to be served in prison. This being the only alternative being worst case scenario because if they were to be convicted by a trial by jury they’ve would have to submit to a long term judgment sentencing, in which they can’t afford. If they were liable to serve time, the situation would be unbearable, they would lose their creditability amongst the fans if they don’t all together forget about them and the game will just keep going leaving them behind as just history.

Mentioning artists can just continue with no remorse or regard of what they may be going through. Understandably it is a sad situation, but these Hip-Hop police are going to keep pushing until they put every last rap artist in prison, effortlessly. Evidence of past artist convictions and apprehensions proves that this will never end. Drug charges, weapons charges, murder charges, attempted murder charges, assault charges, the list is almost infinite. This is not what Hip-Hop is all about. The music they produce pushes the units that make them the cash. Lyrics are sometimes not a means of a certain lifestyle, however, what they choose to mention is all on them. The authorities will take those same lyrics and use it against them, analyzing every single word brushing through it with a fine thin comb. Hip-Hop is a culture and a lifestyle built on the foundation of music and its legit business. If these Hip-Hop police should choose to break us down individually one by one, then we shall not falter.

Here is a list of Commercial Artists currently incarcerated:

Beanie Siegel – (Dwight Grant) Sentenced to 3 Months

Charge: Violation of Probation (failed Mandatory Drug Test)