Rick Ross has received several death threats over the past several months from members of the Gangster Disciples. After his 36th birthday celebration, Ross was the target of a drive-by shooting in Fort Lauderdale. Many fans and artists have come out in support of Rick Ross, but mainly in support of peace between the groups. No one wants to see another situation like Biggie or Pac.
Uncle Luke is one of those supporters — or at least as much as Luke can be. He wrote a letter in the Miami New Times, telling The Bawse to calm down.
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 bullshit 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 how venues and the music industry would like to black ball you.
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 I don't want you to 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.
