Sunday, May 10, 2009

To Snitch, Or Not To Snitch?


Wowsers!! Don't know what to say about THIS. The Smoking Gun has published some news that's going to leave a sour taste in the mouths of lots of hip hop fans. Supposedly, Grand Hustle artist, Alfamega, served as a DEA informant some moons ago in return for shaving off time for a bid he was sentenced to. Of course, the matter is a little too close for comfort for T.I. as he is preparing to turn himself into a federal prison to serve a year and a day sentence after an informant participated in getting him caught up.

T.I.'s statement about the matter:

"I am stunned and totally surprised by the news about Alfa “Ced” Zellers. Even though all of our artists and employees are asked by us to be honest and open about their past history, at no time did Alfa disclose to me or Grand Hustle what has now appeared in the media. He essentially deceived us by failing to fully disclose the truth about his past, and there is no place in our organization for dishonest and misleading behavior.

As I’ve always said, you must take responsibility for your own actions. We at Grand Hustle can not support or condone blaming others for our own mistakes. I hope and pray that God blesses Cedric’s plans, but i don’t foresee me or my company playing a role in his personal or professional business."


Whoa.

I've worked with Alfamega and ran into him on several occasions and he's always seemed like a good, genuine dude. Although I don't have anything to say about his current situation, it does make me think about the whole "no snitching" code that permeates society. And YES, I say "society" because even though certain media outlets and dumb ass rappers may make it seem like the code is inherent to hip hop culture, it ISN'T. The "no snitching" code runs rampant in corporate America, government, the streets, education, military...all that. That's one problem I have with how shyt somehow gets misconstrued and all of a sudden typical behavior/codes are placed upon a particular demographic. It's bigger than Hip Hop as dead prez would say. That's a whole 'nother post though.

Thing is, I'll tell anybody, straight up, that if you harm me, my family, or my friends, I'M FUCKIN' TELLIN'!! Yep, damn right. I'll do anything in my power to bring you to justice if you fuck with my loved ones. That may mean putting a hit out on you calling the police or testifying if I know that you're responsible for something that did my folks wrong. Call me a snitch. I'll be dat.

Now, if I'm a participant in something that might not be kosher and I get caught or something, I wouldn't "snitch" on my other partner(s) who were in the clear at all. I'm loyal to a fault, but that's just me.

However, I wonder how many people would actually participate with the government in bringing down someone else whom they have no affiliation with to shave some time off their sentence (or be in the clear). Afterall, if that person(s) isn't your homeboy/girl, do you REALLY owe them any allegiance at all? Is there honor amongst thieves? I'ont know.

On another note, If you're outside of the 'A', chances are you haven't heard about the fatal hit-and-run crash that left five dead this past Easter. Click the link for info, please. The mother of Aimee Michael (the driver who allegedly caused the crash), is being charged also because she allegedly helped her daughter in "tampering with evidence" and "hindering apprehension of a criminal".

This presents an interesting dilemma.

Sheila Michael DID NOT snitch on her daughter...and as a result, she's facing charges that may land her a jail sentence. Of course when Sheila made the decision to try to protect her daughter at all costs, she was merely acting on instinct (I'm speculating), but what would you do?

As stated above, I'll snitch to bring a loved one who has been done wrong to justice (if there is a such thing *BING!!!! That's a whole 'NOTHER issue), but will I snitch on a loved one? That's the question.

Regardless, this is a dope ass video!!