The Real Cost of Violence in Independent Hip Hop
I want to talk to you directly, man-to-man. If you’re a young brother trying to make it in this game, you need to understand that your "toughness" is often the very thing killing your bank account. I’ve seen it firsthand, and I’ve lived through the trauma of it.
I used to work with an artist—someone I grew up with, someone I called a brother. We were building something special together, or at least I thought we were. I was dealing with my own mental health struggles at the time, but I was still in the basement producing, trying to put him on and help his career.
One day, everything changed because of a choice to use violence. He had let his brother drag him into bad decisions, eventually leading to a record for armed robbery and a failed heist. But what hurt me most wasn't his past; it was when he brought that violence into the room with me.
The High Price of "Beef"
You have to realize that violence isn't just a moral issue—it’s a massive financial liability. Look at Fat Joe. He once admitted that a heated exchange with 50 Cent at an awards show cost him a sneaker deal worth tens of millions of dollars.
When you choose violence or "beef," you aren't being "real." You are being a bad businessman. Corporate partners, high-level producers, and serious investors won't touch a "jagged path" because you are a risk to their bottom line.
In my situation, my friend started threatening me over music files, even though I just needed more time. He came downstairs and started a physical fight with me while I was trying to create for him. Because I was afraid and the equipment wasn't even mine, I had to call the cops just to get my property back.
The 2pac Policy: Once a Brother, Always a Brother
I’m like Pac in the sense that if we were once brothers, you’ll always be my brother in my heart. But the street mentality forces you to choose a path that has permanent consequences. I moved away, and while I think the charges were eventually dropped, the bridge was burned in person.
I won't work with people who are violent toward me or my family in person—period. My safety and my peace are the foundation of my business. If you’ve been down that road, understand that once you take that jagged path, there is often no going back to the way things were.
I’m not saying your name, but you know who you are. It pains me because we could have had something special, but we will never work together in person again. I respect my life and my mission too much to put myself in that position.
A Way Forward: The Online Olive Branch
To all the young men reading this: take a vow of non-violence for your own self-interest. If you have a record, or if you've made mistakes, the internet is your best friend. I work with people all over the world through email, and that’s the only way I’ll deal with people who have a history of aggression.
To my old friend: I want to help you stay sober and help your career, but only from a distance. Get clean, get your mind right, and commit yourself to peace first. If you’re still rhyming and want to pursue this, reach out over the web, but respect my wishes and stay away from my physical space.
I’m sorry it had to go down the way it did, brother, but you left me no choice. I wish you the best and I miss the brother I knew. Let this be a lesson to every artist out there—peace is the only way to build a legacy that lasts.
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