Rapper YNW Melly may lose his life
Months ago a talented rapper from Florida was charged with two counts of first degree murder. Known for his popular song, Murder on My Mind, YNW Melly is now facing the death penalty for those same alleged murders.
On February 13, 2019 YNW Melly was arrested in connection with the deaths of his two childhood friends. YNW’s friends Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr., fellow rappers that went by the names of YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy. The evidence points that they were killed in a drive-by shooting.
These charges add to a long list of court appearances and problems with law enforcement for YNW Melly that range from arrests for marijuana to alleged ties to a deadly officer shooting.
Why is it that rappers incriminate themselves on their own music records? Bobby Shmurda, the infamous New York rapper, has been incarcerated since 2016 on a seven year sentence. One of the key points of evidence used in his trial were lyrics from his hit single, Hot N*****, in which he says “I been selling crack since like the 5th grade”, and “I’m with Trigger, I’m with Rasha, I’m with A-Raw”. While some say these are just lyrics, others look deeper and believe that not only is Shmurda describing his crimes, but he is also naming people that could be guilty by association.
Oddly enough, YNW Melly has done a similar thing with his song “Murder on My Mind”, vividly desribes the death of one of his friends. In the song, he sings “I didn’t even mean to shoot him, he just caught me by surprise”.
Some rappers appear to have an obsession with violence. While there is nothing wrong with talking about the environment one grows up in, clearly a line has to be drawn.
Keeping it real in hip-hop has frequently been interchangeable with being a thug, having money and women, and glorifying violence. The black community has to refrain from putting their negative environments on front street. Not only does it keep them in the past, but it promotes a message that may cause people to believe that it is cool to be surrounded by violence.
However, YWN Melly is definitely hurting by portraying this image in his music. Rapping about various crimes and murder is part of the reason he is up against the death penalty currently.
Fans will have to wait and see what happens to YNW Melly. Despite his talent, his alleged ties to several crimes might result in the loss of his life.
Many people can’t understand why someone who seemingly has money, fame, and success could throw it all away. Nonetheless, all we can do is pray and hope that YNW Melly will be given a second chance to turn his life around.
