Troy Ave has channeled JAY-Z while preparing to take the stand in Taxstone‘s murder trial.
On Monday (March 13), the Brooklyn rapper took to Instagram with a recent photo of Hov in court accompanied by a caption summing up his feelings heading into the trial. According to Troy, he’s happy that seven years of controversy will be settled once he speaks.
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“To all my real ones that been riding with & for Me, today is the day I finally get to clear my name,” he wrote. “It’s been almost 7 years since I lost one of my closest friends #RIPBANGA, 7 years of a narrative about it being my fault, 7 years of my character being assassinated all the while Trying to defend myself without saying much!
“I took it all on the chin, never complained about the stress even tho I felt it. Never complained about the pain even tho it hurt! Never shed a tear even tho my heart was crying!
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“At my weakest points I drew strength from GOD! drew strength from my Children & drew strength from Yall but today … Ya Boi is Strong! Today .. is our day! We in court & the facts will speak louder than any words! It’s time to get this false narrative off my name and dark cloud off my head.”
He continued: “To all my supporters today is the day you can tell whoever went against Us “Eat a D! I Told you So” let’s continue to spread Love & Destroy Hate! wether u sending prayers or pulling up to the court today with positive energy I dead ass appreciate it all! #FREETROYAVE #SelfDefense.”
Taxstone is on trial for the 2016 shooting at Irving Plaza in New York City that took the life of Troy Ave’s bodyguard Ronald “Banga” McPhatter. During a T.I. concert at the NYC venue, an argument occurred in the VIP section that led to shots ringing out and Banga being fatally wounded.
Surveillance video showed Troy Ave firing a gun, but has long maintained that he acted in self-defense. Troy, who was also hit in the leg, was arrested for the shooting.
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Taxstone was also arrested. His DNA was found on the gun that killed Banga and injured Troy. He was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of receipt of a firearm in interstate commerce.
Last week, the former podcaster shared a tweet seemingly in reference to Troy Ave taking the stand, writing: “Can’t wait for this delusional lying ass bozo to testify on Monday !!!”
Troy Ave appeared to respond on Twitter, firing back: “A call to action is crazy ‘I can’t wait’ Said the person with nothing but time…his friends cooked him VERY WELL DONE! I might jus bring the dessert , wat kind y’all want!? #UnSafeTho.”
Troy then mentioned former President Barack Obama and seemingly called Taxstone a “hater” in his tweet.
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“Dear @POTUS44 this Hater tryna frame the murder of MY FRIEND on Me,” he tweeted. “I’m innocent I boomed @ the hater of self defense! His Mans Caswell & Malcolm ate the [cheese] on him already! My new album gon be called ‘DEAR HATER I WON’ pre order uP MONDAY!”
Over the weekend, New York rapper Big Body Bes came to the defense of Tax by poking fun at Troy taking the stand and essentially snitching on the former podcast host. Bes posted a mock flyer on Twitter promoting an event at a Manhattan courthouse, where the Brooklyn rapper would be “performing all his greatest hits.”
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“TOMORROW!! ONE DAY PERFORMANCE, HOSTED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE STATE OF NY, SHOW IS FREE, AND NO DRESS CODE!! FREE @TAXSTONE,” the Action Bronson affiliate tweeted.
