If I Had A Record Deal, I’d Be Gandhi
It was reported and denied over the weekend that Cleveland artist Kid Cudi was tasered and arrested just before his show at the NBA All Star Game. Although it seems that Cudi was involved in a fairly minor incident, he is not the first rapper who risked his entire career on some stuipd ish. I just cannot understand why rappers/artists put their future on the line over what oftentimes is petty, insignficant issues.
There’s Shyne, Da Brat, Beanie Siegel, T.I., Cassidy, Remy Ma, Foxy Brown, Prodigy – the list of rappers who have had to or are still taking a state-ordered career detour is a long one. While I don’t claim to identify with it, I understand that things can still be real for aspiring rappers; sometime the record deal money is slow and you’ve still got one foot in the streets and things just happen. Or someone knucklehead wants to test a rapper in the club. Some corrupt cop wants to make a name for himself. Sometimes circumstances are beyond their control. But just as often, its ego, pride or an overinflated temper than puts a successful future in jeaprody.
I gotta tell you: if I was an up-and-coming artist, especially one that’s on the edge like Cudi (sined by Kanye, big buzz in the streets) you would have to murder my family to get me heated enough to risk everything I’ve worked for. Now, I’m a hothead – you can’t be this opinionated and not be one – but I also recognize when I’m just getting pulled into some stupid ish.
Why do you think your favorite rapper has a weed carrier? I’d have a whole entourage designed around keeping me out of trouble: the burly bodyguard to smack around mouthy critics, the assh-le lawyer to fight my contracts, the wingman to deal with all the groupies. Rap is big buisness. Sure you’re street rep may even go up if you get knocked, but that 3-labum deal won’t be there if you get 10 years, I guarantee it.
Even if I had a crew to protect me and watch my back, I’d be a damn buddhist monk when people tried to test me. I’m a pus-y? Sure. But I’ll be driving out of this spot in my Benz Coupe and you’ll be taking a cab. I’m a bit-h? Kinda hard to hear you in this V.I.P. area while you’re all the way out there. Why would I care what you think? I’d be too busy getting money.
There are too many examples of success, money and fame being snatched away because some rapper mouthed off to the wrong dude and it all got out of control. If I had spent that much blood, sweat and tears getting my career to where I want it, I’d be a damn fool risking it to go after some idiot in a club.
Tags: Kid Cudi
