If there’s one factor Jim Jones is sweet for, it’s a stable soundbyte or two—love him or hate him, he is usually a nice interview. Such was the case not too long ago when the (present? former?) DipSet capo stopped by “The Breakfast Membership” and had an usually entertaining and informative dialog about Harlem, his former homie with The Diplomats, Cam’ron, their Verzuz efficiency, Kanye, and a litany of different issues. Jones stopped by the favored interview platform to advertise his newest album, “On the Church Steps,” out now.
Whereas discussing Jones’ tendency to maintain his road and rap lives separate, Charlamagne requested why Jones included court docket recordings from a court docket case tied to Mel Murda on the brand new album. Jones identified that he was exhibiting what it may be like for Black males out right here on the planet and what individuals are actually going by way of. He segued proper into how individuals can usually get caught by conversations they’ve on the telephone and the way he ought to typically take his personal recommendation, a reference to telephone recordings of Jim Jones utilized in court docket about hurt that ought to come to rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine for his disloyalty to their shared set—9 Trey Gangster Bloods, an East coast subset of the bigger Blood gang.
Charlamagne then requested why Jones by no means shied away from his gang affiliations—highlighted on the recordings—although individuals are usually getting legally jammed up for these affiliations these days. Jones had an fascinating response.
“It’s not a criminal offense to be a Blood. It’s not a criminal offense to be a banger. It’s not a criminal offense to be a fraternity member. It’s not a criminal offense to be a sorority member. It’s all the identical factor. It’s a criminal offense if you happen to do crime whereas being that and that turns into different issues. If it’s multiple of y’all doing crime whereas being Blood, that turns right into a RICO and issues like that. I do enterprise. I’m a businessman, you heard? At all times music, child!”
DJ Envy requested Jim if he regrets popularizing being a Blood in New York Metropolis, to which Jim responded:
“Yeah, I made it cool, however I additionally commercialized it. I made tens of millions of {dollars} off the gang tradition. Identical factor with Snoop has completed and the West Coast.” Snoop Dogg has made tens of millions of {dollars} as a character and entertainer and is notably tied to the Rollin’ 20s Crip set in Lengthy Seashore, California.
After all, the dialog discovered its method onto varied platforms, just like the “The Joe Budden Podcast” and to social media, the place the group voiced their opinions.
One person mentioned that neither facet actually has any declare to be higher than the opposite: “How are you monetizing off of a bunch that promotes violence and killing off your personal individuals, then say oh I’m not part of that half. Simply noticed a child die from being hazed for a fraternity however so long as they do fundraisers within the communities don’t fear in regards to the faculty children who died attempting to participate. You possibly can’t have water with poison in it and solely drink the purified half. Throw the entire glass away interval.”
The child in reference is Caleb Wilson, 20, who not too long ago died whereas pledging an Omega Psi Phi chapter at Southern College.
One other person shared a perspective that positioned them each in the identical boat, in response to a remark made by Melyssa Ford in reference to Jones’ feedback. Mel mentioned that gangs are usually prison enterprises, and fraternities et al are usually about legacy, and ceremony of passage, and lifelong connection. “Loopy factor is, all of the qualities Mel talked about about frats, are also qualities with gangs. Sure, additionally they usually have prison enterprises as a method for members to outlive, however that’s not their sole goal,” mentioned the commenter.
“Fraternities don’t glorify or encourage prison exercise for his or her monetary well-being. That’s the distinction. Educate yourselves individuals!” mentioned one person who in all probability framed how most individuals view the distinction between gangs and fraternities, sororities, and different secret societies.
Whether or not or not gangs and fraternities/sororities/secret societies share similarities can and can be debated, although arguably, most gangs are seen as prison enterprises, as a rule, whereas fraternities and sororities could have members who’ve dedicated crimes, although that’s usually thought of the exception and never the rule.
Nevertheless, because the younger individuals say, factors had been made. It isn’t a criminal offense to be a member of any gang; a number of distinguished artists, actors, and personalities are members of or affiliated with distinguished road gangs in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, and so forth.
No matter facet you land on, Jim Jones undoubtedly is aware of how one can maintain individuals speaking.
