Brick City lyricist Redman became the latest rapper to speak on the shooting at New York City's Irving Plaza one week ago. In an interview held at the Boston Hard Rock Cafe, the rap veteran touched on the media's portrayal of the music having to do with such poor choices as those that lead to the shooting that left one dead and three injured. But he placed greater focus on how conflict is handled among Black people at large, addressing the community directly.
“We must start thinking about the moves we make, ladies and gentleman. Especially [my people], my culture. Let’s start thinking about the moves we make. There’s a right time and places do things, and my thing is the safety of other people,” Reggie told HipHopDX.com. “If you have beef with someone, it should be done on your own ground if you pop off. But there’s innocent people who have to get home to their kids, their family, come on, man. I just don’t like senseless death.”
In a turn of events that may signify a break for suspected shooter Roland Collins [Troy Ave], sources close to the investigation have informed the media that authorities are now seeking a possible second shooter. They are looking into accounts by unverified witnesses, that the shooting may have been sparked by a confrontation involving a third party suspected of having fired the shots that injured Collins and killed Ronald McPhatter.
The day after the tragic event both T.I. and Maino came forward to express their condolences and to speak against the violence that took place. In the days to follow Slim Thug and Fat Joe also voiced their disagreement with the streets getting involved in the business. Their remarks combat the myopic narrative coming from figures outside of the Hip Hop community, including that of NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton, who characterized rappers at such shows as "thugs".
Source: hiphopdx.com
