Thug Life Army

Hip-Hop silence is being taken to another level with the death of rap artist Busta Rhymes'' bodyguard, Israel Ramirez.

According to the New York Daily News rap artist Busta Rhymes could not even attend the wake for his slain homie.

Busta remaining silent on the shooting is keeping other witnesses from co-operating with police to get justice for Israel Raminez’ family.

"They have a code in the industry. You don''t talk to cops. If you do, your career tanks," one police source said.

Hip-hop culture needs to ‘flip’ this and if you can’t stand up for your own then you aren’t hip-hop, no matter what you have done in the past for the culture. Even in the streets ya always ‘ride’ or stick with your homies - no matter what.

Investigators believe the gunfire erupted after ex-con, rap artist and part of the hip-hop G-Unit click Tony Yayo and other members of 50 Cent's G-Unit entourage got into a beef with rap artist Busta Rhymes'' producer, Swizz Beatz, and the dispute spilled into the street.

And we have Scott Leemon, lawyer for rapper Yayo, whose real name is Marvin Bernard; sending a letter to prosecutors in NY about the incident. In the letter Leemon said his client (Yayo) would refuse to voluntarily answer any questions from law enforcement.

He goes on to say "Please make sure he is not contacted and/or harassed by NYPD," in the letter. NYPD is letting the nutts run the asylum.

This is hip-hop’s fault but main stream society is letting this go on. When these ‘loose cannons’ are caught doing something they get off or do little or no time.

I’m not for snitching but this is murder – a family has suffered a great loss that can never be replaced.

Across this nation kids look to the figures of hip-hop culture. They idolize them – they want to be them. These artists need to realize that and act responsible. What do they want to do take this to the street and end up locked down for ‘beef’? And for what street creditability? Busta has talent and is well loved and respected; he does not need to worry about that.

How many hip-hop voices need to be silenced by senseless bull before we realize what we as a culture are loosing? Didn’t Tupac (2Pac) and Biggie teach us anything? Can’t you see the sorrow in Afeni Shakur and Voletta Wallace’s eyes and speech when their sons are mentioned? Want that to be your momma? What about the kids shot everyday in the streets thru out this nation that will never see another day because they were taken too early; what about their momma’s.

If artists can not stand up for their own and do EVERYTHING they can to solve this then maybe we as a culture can not support them until it is solved.

I got mad respect for Busta Rhymes but this needs to be taken care of, and legally not street. And if Yayo doesn’t have anything to hide – he should ride down and talk to NYPD.

It seems these guys have no problem running to Hot 97 to run off about anything else, meet NYPD there and talk if you feel more comfortable making a media spectacle of it – just give this family justice. If the situation was flipped you would want your family taken care of and respected; so return that and lets solve this.

Someone needed to say it – now if they only will hear us. Hip-hop needs to portray a true image of itself not some twisted street view of gangsta mentality.