Common sense from a rapper.

When we think of the rapper and entrepreneur 50-Cent, nuanced social commentary is not the first thing that comes to mind.  Perhaps we are wrong.  To think that your average cop would share an opinion on law and order with the gansta rapping tough guy is almost laughable, yet here we are. 

50 Cent recently made headlines for online comments he made about the bail reform in Los Angeles.  He stated that “LA is finished watch how bad it gets out there. SMH” in response to a reinstated no bail policy in the City of Angles.  Even he can see the message that a no bail policy sends to the city’s criminal element.  50-Cent, A.K.A. Curtis Jackson is no stranger to criminality and has some life experiences that very few individuals can match.

Curtis Jackson knows crime.   He has been on both sides of the equation.  When Jackson was an up-and-coming rapper, he was stabbed on the west side of Manhattan at the SONY Hit Factory.  It was one of the first stabbings I ever responded to as a cop.  The midnight platoon had a good laugh over his moniker and his seemingly short-lived celebrity. It wouldn’t be his last time as a victim.  Jackson was shot two months later on the streets of his Jamaica Queens neighborhood. He knows victimhood.

The stabbing and shooting were probably retaliation for his penchant for robbing drug dealers and wealthy fellow rappers.  He split his younger years doing these robberies and pitching crack.  He had learned the narco business early.  Jackson’s mother was a drug dealing lesbian who died when he was still a boy.  A few of his more memorable brushed with the law include when he was caught with a gun in school, arrested for selling drugs (several times), arrested for gun possession after a car stop, and arrested for assaulting concertgoers.  He knows crime.

Jackson’s fame grew as a series of albums met success and controversy.  He appeared to put his criminal behavior behind him as focused on growing his personal wealth.  Jackson has proven himself to be a savvy entrepreneur.  Jackson has business interests in artist and talent management, record, television, and film production, footwear, apparel, fragrances, liquor, video games, mobile apps, book publishing, headphones, along with health drinks and dietary supplements. He has made and lost hundreds of millions of dollars.  He knows financial success. 

So, 50 Cent knows both sides of crime and is intelligent enough to make a fortune.  Despite not being a public policy pundit, he is more qualified than most to understand people and their motives.  It is plain to him that the current state of bail reform is bad policy.  Anyone who deals honestly will tell you that these “reforms” increase crime and harm law abiding citizens.  Curtis Jackson knows what makes criminals tick.  Los Angeles politicians should appreciate his honesty and listen to him.