On this day in 1996, Hilltop Hustler and Steady B affiliate Cool C shot and killed Philadelphia Police Officer Lauretha Ward in a brazen bank robbery attempt that landed him and Steady B behind bars with life sentences. Coll C, whose real name is Christopher Roney, was originally sentenced to the death penalty but was granted a stay of execution.
Along with Steady B and Philly rapper Mark Canty, the “Glamorous Life’ rapper attempted to rob the PNC Bank in Feltonville, PA but instead exchanged gunfire with police after a silent alarm was tripped. As the trio exited the bank, Roney exchanged fire with another police officer before he and Canty dropped their weapons at the scene and fled in a stolen minivan driven by Steady B.
Roney was arrested on October 30, 1996, and charged with first-degree murder. He was sentenced to death by lethal injection, however, Roney has been granted two stays of execution since his death warrant was signed in January 2006.
Originally from Philly/South Jersey, lyricist P-Rawb teams up with Big O to deliver this nine track album featuring Tyana Marie, Gabby and mixing by Big O, Chris Chase and Shane Great. “The Complexity” can be described as a body of work that reflects the ebbs and flows of P-Rawb’s life. Let’s get into this.
“Vertabrae” is the first track on the album and features a super silky baseline, shout out to Big O. P-Rawb puts on an applause worthy opening performance. Lyrically, this song is perspective story telling done right, coupled with slick flow switches from start to finish. This was a truly gifted performance, from the writing to the delivery, good job!
The production on “Crush” is just super fresh! Glitchy breaks mixed to perfection. P-Rawb is smooth as he flexes his pen game and seems to dance over the beat. This song is a cool and suave version of the regular boy meets girl concept. Then just when you think it’s over, you’re given the sweetest little wholesome lick of something beautiful by Big O.
“SoulScape” features one of the smoothest beats on the entire tape. The strings, the keys, the baseline and the drums, this production is wholesome. Lyrically, P-Rawb gives us an insight into the complexities of his life and of the inner workings of his mind. Clever rhyme schemes are at play on this track and Shane Great did a great job with the mix.
As far as producer/rapper duos go, these two artists definitely hit the mark. The album is jazzy, thoughtful and skilfully crafted. The rapping is consistent, the production is clean from start to finish and the features are excellently selected. If you’re a fan of genuinely fresh finds, this album is for you. Honourable mention goes to “Enjoy The Ride”, this production is so fresh! Also “Who Am I”, this song is for straight rap fans, trust me. Follow these two on Instagram: @prawb & @bigrodamous
On this day in 1996, Hilltop Hustler and Steady B affiliate Cool C shot and killed Philadelphia Police Officer Lauretha Ward in a brazen bank robbery attempt that landed him and Steady B behind bars with life sentences. Coll C, whose real name is Christopher Roney, was originally sentenced to the death penalty but was granted a stay of execution.
Along with Steady B and Philly rapper Mark Canty, the “Glamorous Life’ rapper attempted to rob the PNC Bank in Feltonville, PA but instead exchanged gunfire with police after a silent alarm was tripped. As the trio exited the bank, Roney exchanged fire with another police officer before he and Canty dropped their weapons at the scene and fled in a stolen minivan driven by Steady B.
Roney was arrested on October 30, 1996 and charged with first degree murder. He was sentenced to death by lethal injection, however, Roney has been granted two stays of execution since his death warrant was signed in January 2006.
Meek Mill’s identity has become synonymous with his hometown, and he puts on for his city any chance he gets.
The Philly rapper partnered with Puma, REFORM Alliance, DocuVault and GoPuff, deliver toys, clothes, and game consoles to 35 families who are affected by the prison system.
“It’s been a tough year for all of us, but through all the ups and downs, I’ll always do my part to support and give back to the Philly community that raised me,” said Meek.
He continued, “I remember not having much growing up, so it’s important to use my platform to give back, especially to the families trying to provide for their kids while also dealing with the criminal justice system.”
Additionally, Meek Mill donated $30,000 to a North Philly organization named Twelve Days of Christmas, which is a non-profit that helps families during the holiday season.
When you think of Meek Mill one of the few things that automatically come to mind is his hometown Philadelphia.
He’s one of the biggest and influential artists to come out of the city in decades and he attempted to use his power to bring peace to Philly. “I’ll get all the main big artist in philly a deal if they put them bodies behind them and squash them beefs …I hear about ….got some hot young bulls from my city but they all beefing!” Meek stated.
The Dream Chaser continued, “And that’s just a idea but I’ll push thru with my city if y’all make it thing! It’s like 5 clicks that’s talented but they deep in! And get they most attention when they beefing!”
But Meek’s intentions didn’t sit well with the local residents and he got dragged. Many people suggested that he helps without a trade-off and implored him to stop promoting violence in his music.
Local rapper, Poundside Pop, accused him of rolling with his oppositions prior to his proposed peace treaty.
Meek responded to Pop’s comments proclaiming that he can’t be banned from North Philly and reassured that he’s not picking sides in beef that isn’t directly connected to him.
Outsiders looking in on the situation thought Meek Mill’s offer was a meal ticket and didn’t understand why he was receiving backlash.
The emcee ultimately announced that he’s deactivating his social media accounts until it’s time to promote his highly-anticipated new project. “Im deactivating til Friday when I got music out!!!!!!” he said.
Cassidy should no longer boast that he is undefeated.
He should boast that he is a pioneer in popularizing battle rap. (That bar against Goodz last spring about these guys getting popular cause of battle rap, but he made battle rap popular was just fire).
He should boast about his successful five or six years in the industry. (You can’t take away the debut gold album and that “I’m a Hustla” was one of the first ringtones to go platinum.)
He should boast about his current marketing and promotional prowess, but the mythology surrounding his infamous battling record (5001 or better victories) should never again muster in his belly, rise through his esophagus and come out his throat.
It should not, but it will. And despite popular opinion, he is needed for battle rap to go to the next level.
One of the problems with the millennial thought process is to disregard legacy and foundation. The small ten year window that the new cats give credence to often limits their ability to recognize anything that was popping before they were “on” or even alive. Cassidy’s refusal to allow “them” to put him in a washed up box speaks volumes to his tenacity, self-confidence and his roots into a culture that right now spans four different generations.
He screams “FUCK THAT, I AM HERE!” in the face of those pushing him out. He says that to a culture that as much as it is wants to be respected, is closed off to a world that is needed to give them the mainstream respect and bag they so desire. [Ed. Note. That’s a fact!]
URL has genius-ly identified that there is still value in ”The Hustler,” even though it appears that his arrogance, long ass verses that span what seems to be like an hour and an unsportsmanlike Philly crowd might have rattled the SMACK stage with momentary thoughts of regret. Having the Lock Down card in Philly should have been a home run, particularly with Philly hometown heroes up to bat, but it was not.
But that’s just it. Knowing Philly is more than knowing the difference between Ishkibbles, Jim’s and Genos.
It’s more than the catch phrases of “Nut Ass” or “Jawn” or “Bul (which has no real spelling but a feeling).” If the league would have known Philly a little bit more than the dope emcees from the town, they would have known that the Philly fan is fierce, bleeds green, loves everything about Allen Iverson (transplant), Dr. J (transplant), Will Smith and don’t say nothing about Phyliss Hyman or Teena Marie. The Philly fan would fight you for their jawns, but if they think you drawing (especially if you from Philly or Philly adjacent) they banging on you. Philly be hating on people- no reason necessary- and will cannibalize its own city. Philly be on that sh*t, nahmean. Don’t let them tell you differently, just listen to any Philly rapper talk about Philly… the city in regards to supporting music be sometimey. They will dance to Tuff Crew all day, but will never buy their music. Just consider how NOOOOOObody cared about Dutch from Major Figgas but when Gilly da King and Wallo stepped up, they went crazy.
And while it seemed like Philly was gonna ride w the former Ruff Ryder, Cassidy, they booed him.
But booes do not faze Cassidy. They seem to make him stronger. So what is the finally assessment? Is this definitive loss from Arsonal (please Cass fans don’t gas it) they end for him? NO!!!
As aforementioned, the culture needs him. The energy understands the dynamics of selling the fight. He even adapted a little with performance… to make him seem a little less dated. All he needs is to stop verbally masturbating with them long ass, nut ass rounds and he will be aiight.
The question everyone should be asking is if Tsu Surf still wants to battle him.
Hold your cheesesteaks! Hold your motherflubbing cheesesteaks! For the first time in the history of the league, SMACK URL will host their first battle rap experience in Philadelphia, PA on the Lock Down card on October 6th. The announcement was made exclusively on the SMACK URL app.
Emceeing and Philly actually goes hand-in-hand.
Approximately 94 miles up i95, access to the bubbling rap scene in the 70s was easy and open. In fact OG’s from the Hilltop section of West Philly, Lawrence “L.G.” Goodman and Dana Goodman, made that b-line up to the Big Apple with their early rap label Pop Art Records. Contracts in hand, they created reality out of the dreams of many of Hip-Hop’s early stars (just ask Salt-N-Pepa and the entire Juice Crew)! Out of this lot came the Godmother of Battle Rap, Roxanne Shante… and so having an eye for battle rap is something in the Schuylkill punch.
But you don’t have to go back into the glory years of Hip-Hop to find that NYC/ Philly connection. Over the last 15, artists like Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Shawn Smith, E Ness, Black Thought, Meek Mill and yes, Cassidy have kept bars alive by see-sawing between the commercial success of the industry and having one foot squarely in the sand of underground Hip-Hop. They all have done this by performing in cyphers, spitting fire freestyles and battling.
And so today, what in the name of Ishkabibles does that really mean?
It kinda means that SMACK URL took too damn long to set up a franchise event in the City of Brotherly Love. It also means that now that they they are scheduled to execute this card, the ink is dried on the contracts and fans have been alerted… fans will experience one of the most incredible explosion of battle rap culture and authentication ever seen in the culture. Headlining will be Philly hometown hero Cassidy (who contends he is 5002-0).
No one can deny that Cassidy is instrumental in building the legacy of battle rap. Arguably one of the best to ever touch the mic, he is about to face one of his toughest opponents ever in Arsonal da Rebel.
Both incredibly cocky. Both incredibly skilled with the lyrics. Both on a mission to cement their legacy. This is gonna be a battle for the ages.
It took years to come… but now that it is here…and the city where the underdog Rocky is the municipal god, the soft pretzel is the city staple food, they laugh at Auntie Annie’s pretzels (what are those) and hoagies are not subs is about to get SMACK!
Meek Mill is not only one of the biggest rappers of this decade; he has become a high-profile activist behind the ongoing efforts in criminal justice reform. Having been arrested at 19 years-old, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC has been on probation for more than 10 years. The terms of his probation not only limited him as a recording and performing artist, but also led to his 2017 arrest. That incarceration was the latest pitfall in a career marred by “wins and losses.” Long after Robert Rihmeek Williams left a Chester, Pennsylvania prison in April of 2018, he continues to fight for others who are wrongfully sentenced, and put in a system that can seem like a trap. With JAY-Z, Philadelphia 76ers owner Michael Rubin, and city District Attorney Larry Krasner in his corner, Meek is documenting this ongoing and historic battle. Amazon Prime has partnered with Roc Nation to produce a docuseries titled Free Meek. Hour-long episodes will detail Meek’s life story from his traumatic childhood right up to his controversial 2017 sentencing and subsequent release. The show will endeavor to uncover the corruption in the justice system at several levels, starting with the Philadelphia Police Department, the courts, and the prison industry. Meek Mill Is Getting A Chance To Prove His Innocence In Front Of A New Court & Judge Meek’s “What’s Free” (which plays in the trailer) collaborator JAY-Z also executive produces and appears in the documentary. In the teaser, Jay says, “This guy got locked up at 19, and been on probation for 11 years.” And later in the trailer he tells viewers, “[There are] millions of people like Meek.” Previously, Jay and Roc Nation have produced films documenting the lives (and deaths) of Kalief Browder and Trayvon Martin. JAY-Z & Meek Mill Have Joined Forces To Free Those Unjustly Held In PrisonFree Meek will premiere on Prime Video on August 9, 2019.
The Hip-Hop community is mourning the death of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Battle Rap veteran Tech 9 (aka Akeen Mickens). He is survived by a daughter. Details are still forthcoming in this developing story.
“Sadly it’s true. We lost a Philadelphia and Battle Rap legend and pioneer,” fellow competitive MC Buttah Madison told XXL, confirming today’s (March 25) report. “Unfortunately we haven’t fully figured the cause of death. We are praying that it was natural causes. He had no signs of harm done to his body.”
According to Verse Tracker, Tech’s battle record included face-offs against the likes of DNA, Arsonal, Rich Dolarz, and Shotgun Suge. He participated in the Ultimate Rap League and Street Arena circuits. He competed as recently as December, against Compton, California’s Geechi Gotti.
Tech’s peers including Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, Pharoahe Monch, Kxng Crooked, and Lloyd Banks expressed their condolences to Tech online. In particular, Monch revealed that Tech’s rhymes influenced one of the Queens, New York veteran’s choruses.
THEY SAY MY FACE DONT LOOK THE SAME WITH THE STOCK-
Condolences to the family of the late great Tech9 of philly. Rest well.
One of my favorite battle rappers … always had me in stitches .. wow … i always wanted to meet him. I never got to tell him I used one of his lines for a chorus …… I will pay homage. Rest In Peace sir I was a huge fan. https://t.co/iRqdmJILe7
Rip Tech 9…one of the most entertaining battle rappers.
Condolences to his family and friends.
May God have mercy on his soul.
— “DROGAS WAVE” NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) March 25, 2019
WE GREW UP IN A SLIM ASS APARTMENT SO ME AND MY BROS USED TO WATCH THIS PART A THOUSAND TIMES AND LOL RIP TECH 9 FROM PHILLY!! THANK YOU! CONDOLENCES pic.twitter.com/MRoUhSKIFi
Despite some mutual connections, Tech 9 is not to be confused with Aaron Yates (akaTech N9ne), the Kansas City, Missouri MC and co-founder of Strange Music.
The Hip-Hop community is mourning the death of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Battle Rap veteran Tech 9 (aka Akeen Mickens). He is survived by a daughter. Details are still forthcoming in this developing story.
“Sadly it’s true. We lost a Philadelphia and Battle Rap legend and pioneer,” fellow competitive MC Buttah Madison told XXL, confirming today’s (March 25) report. “Unfortunately we haven’t fully figured the cause of death. We are praying that it was natural causes. He had no signs of harm done to his body.”
According to Verse Tracker, Tech’s battle record included face-offs against the likes of DNA, Arsonal, Rich Dolarz, and Shotgun Suge. He participated in the Ultimate Rap League and Street Arena circuits. He competed as recently as December, against Compton, California’s Geechi Gotti.
Tech’s peers including Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, Pharoahe Monch, Kxng Crooked, and Lloyd Banks expressed their condolences to Tech online. In particular, Monch revealed that Tech’s rhymes influenced one of the Queens, New York veteran’s choruses.
THEY SAY MY FACE DONT LOOK THE SAME WITH THE STOCK-
Condolences to the family of the late great Tech9 of philly. Rest well.
One of my favorite battle rappers … always had me in stitches .. wow … i always wanted to meet him. I never got to tell him I used one of his lines for a chorus …… I will pay homage. Rest In Peace sir I was a huge fan. https://t.co/iRqdmJILe7
Rip Tech 9…one of the most entertaining battle rappers.
Condolences to his family and friends.
May God have mercy on his soul.
— “DROGAS WAVE” NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) March 25, 2019
WE GREW UP IN A SLIM ASS APARTMENT SO ME AND MY BROS USED TO WATCH THIS PART A THOUSAND TIMES AND LOL RIP TECH 9 FROM PHILLY!! THANK YOU! CONDOLENCES pic.twitter.com/MRoUhSKIFi
Despite some mutual connections, Tech 9 is not to be confused with Aaron Yates (akaTech N9ne), the Kansas City, Missouri MC and co-founder of Strange Music.
MONCH (@pharoahemonch) 