by Ben Rohrbaugh
November 26, 2018: Daniel Hernandez, also known as his rapper name “Tekashi 6ix9ine” was arrested after following charges of armed robbery and suspected murder. He pleaded not guilty for racketeering, but Hernandez will be in jail for at least 32 years.
Since then, there have been many rappers who have been faced with jail time. Notable rappers include: Sheyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, known by his rap name “21 Savage”, Taymor Mclntyre, known his by rap name “Tay K”, and Jamell Demons, known by his name “YNW Melly”.
Rapper 21 Savage was arrested for overstaying his Visa in the United States. He was charged with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Abraham-Joseph was originally born in London in 1992. He was recently released from jail, and his attorneys feel very confident that he will continue living in the States. However, Savage’s story is not the only one getting the headlines.
The young rapper YNW Melly is getting notice for his controversial news. Melly was arrested on first-degree murder charges, after he supposedly shot and killed two of his friends. Melly, who is famous for his hit song “Murder on my Mind,” is now facing life in jail after his conviction. Some are starting to wonder: “did he really have murder on his mind?”, as his song suggests. Some students here at YS were interviewed about the topic.
Junior Donald Dent said that YNW Melly will be released from jail. “I believe that he will be out soon” says Dent, “he’s not my favorite rapper, but I listen to him then and there,” he said. Dent feels that YNW Melly did nothing wrong, and that these accusations made against him are not true.
Sophomore Aidan Hughley said that if the convictions are true, then the rapper should have to pay the price; “if what he did was true, then he had it coming,” he stated in an interview.
So, is it true? Did YNW Melly commit the crime? Should 21 Savage be allowed to continue living in the States? I guess we will find out.