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There is only so long fake thugs can pretend. At least that seems to be what Luther Campbell is telling Rick Ross.
Campbell a.k.a. Uncle Luke, has been in the music business since 1985. He's seen the hip hop world from the inside as part of 2 Live Crew, and later as a solo artist.
The Miami resident is now a promoter and author for the Miami New Times.
His most recent article is an open letter to Rick Ross. In it Luke urges the rapper to tone down his act and stop pretending to be something he's not or it could cost him his life.
Dear Rick Ross:
As someone who survived several rap beefs, I'm going to give you some advice. You need to seriously address the threats and attempts on your life. You have worked hard to become a big name in hip-hop. You've paid your dues and you've grown lyrically since the release of your debut album, Port of Miami, in 2006. You've arrived, buddy.
But all this gangster bullsh*t is jeopardizing your career. No club or arena is going to risk people getting shot. You can forget about doing any tours or CD signings. And if you can't make money, watch how fast Warner Bros. Records turns on you. I know from experience.
You have the Gangster Disciples breathing down your neck because you've named-dropped Larry Hoover, the gang's founder, in your music. Unlike the record and book publishing industries, these bad dudes don't understand the concept of public domain. They see you getting rich forever by rapping about their leader, and they don't like it. That's why they're on YouTube talking about how you need to go see them and cut a check.
It's a shame you can't enjoy life without spending part of your earnings on heavy security or risking your freedom by purchasing an arsenal. Remember, that's what landed T.I. and Lil Wayne in prison. You don't want that to happen to you. However, those are the consequences of rapping about being something you're not.
Hip-hop has a rich history of college guys who never committed a crime rapping about moving kilos of cocaine and taking out snitches. Every gangster rapper takes on the role of a real hood legend to build up street cred. But don't fall into the trap of believing you are really a gangster.
Trust me, you don't want to go out like Biggie Smalls or Tupac. It's time you squash your beefs.
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