After the deaths of Pac and BIG many believed violence would die down in hip hop. After seeing lives get taken for apparently no reason, many believed that people would be more careful and not as volatile. Some people just didn’t get the message.
Yesterday, rap mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs threw a party to celebrate Biggie and his accomplishments at New York’s Club Exit. Sadly, violence erupted and tainted a night meant to celebrate a fallen hero.
Around 3:00 a.m. police responded to reports of gunfire outside of the popular nightclub. One person was shot in the leg. The violence didn’t end with that bullet. Just minutes later, police were called again to stop an altercation inside. During the fight, two people were cut in the face and one was stabbed in the stomach.
Much like in the murder, there are no suspects yet.
While some promote negative and violent acts, one of Big’s old partners, Lil’ Kim is trying to provide something positive for under privileged children. The female emcee, along with Mitchell & Ness, Zab Judah and the Fight for Life Foundation donated toys to at-risk youth in the Philadelphia area.
Toys were passed out at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center in Philly today from 4-6 p.m
Kim has also mailed out a hand written letter to her fans.
“I thank all of you for your heartfelt, overwhelming, tremendous love and support,” she writes. The letter can be found on her official website.
Another outspoken female emcee is Lauryn Hill. She spoke with Essence recently about her life. In the article, she shines a light on why she remained out of the spotlight for so long.
“I discovered people could only acknowledge red and blue and I was somewhere between. I was purple,” she shared with the magazine. “And when I can’t be whole, I have a problem. I was like, ‘I’ve got to get out of here.’ “
She claimed she “breathes” fashion but has never tried to “share” her fashion tips. She also claimed that she hopes other entertainers do not get ”trapped in images that don’t really reflect who they are.”
The article can be found in the newest issue of Essence.
