New York Magazine’s music editor-turned-author, Ethan Brown, presents Queens Reigns Supreme. The book provides a detailed look inside the world of “gangster culture”. Brown gives a revealing documentation of the rise of the crack epidemic in the 70’s and 80’s, which chronicle the demise of a single neighborhood that was the birthplace for it all.
Brown also covers the iconic Southeast Queens hustlers that many of its native rappers have idolized. Anyone from N.O.R.E. to Nas knows of the names that Brown covers in his book – Fat Cat, Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, Pappy, Tony Montana, and Prince. The book recounts how their legend influenced and produced a new breed of rappers. From 50 Cent to Ja Rule, they’ve established their livelihood from their relationship with their street heroes.
Queens Reigns Supreme also breaks the news that Darryl “Hommo” Baum – whose nickname was short for “Homicide” – was the man behind the 50 Cent shooting. Baum, himself, was fatally gunned down just three weeks after the assault on 50.
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Brown also takes a gripping look at other connections between hip-hop and the criminal underworld as he writes about Jam Master Jay, Russell Simmons, and Irv “Gotti” Lorenzo.
Speaking of the “Gotti’s” – Irv and Chris Lorenzo (CEOs of The Inc) and Supreme are currently on trial. The Lorenzos are on trial for money laundering charges and McGriff – for murder.
In the book, Irv maintains his innocence as he provides Brown with “anti-government rants”. Simmons, himself, states that he will not stand up for Supreme.
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“I’m not standing up for ‘Preme,”Simmons says. He says that he’d rather fight for animal rights instead of fighting for a drug kingpin. “The 800 million innocent chickens. I’m standing up for them. I can’t stand up for Supreme. I hope he’s innocent. I hope he didn’t hurt anyone.”
Queens Reigns Supreme was released November 22 and can be found online at http://www.amazon.com.
