S. Samuel
In light of the current legal woes State Property's Beanie Sigel is currently experiencing, SOHH reached out to fellow Philadelphia rapper Cassidy for his thoughts.
Cass, who has previously spent time behind bars, acknowledged the lane Beans paved for Philly artists like himself.
“Yeah, that’s a sad situation because you know Beanie is from my city. He was one of the first cats to get on and get it popping and take it to a whole other level, and he’s really lyrical,” Cass told SOHH. “It’s sad that he has to go away for the [tax evasion conviction] situation. Everything happens for a reason, so hopefully he’ll be able to build from the time where he’s sitting down. Be able to develop. Learn more about himself. Learn more how to move when he finally gets the opportunity to get back out here, so when he does get back out here he can take it to a whole other level. That’s definitely sad. I don’t wish nobody to go to jail. I’ve been there before. I know what that life’s like, and it definitely ain’t a fun place to be so it’s sad to see him have to go away.” (SOHH)
Hours after his arrest on a gun and drug possession charge, Ruffhouse Records CEO Chris Schwartz issued a statement today.
“Obviously, we’re very disappointed. However, Beanie has done nothing but display the utmost professionalism in all the initiatives related to the promotion of his new release. Beanie obviously has been struggling with some personal issues, and we continue to support him now and throughout his impending incarceration.” (Statement)
Reports of Sigel’s arrest hit the Internet early Wednesday (August 29) morning.
Police say Sigel, 38, whose real name is Dwight Grant, was a passenger in a Ford Fusion that was initally pulled over for driving erratically on I-95 southbound near Exit 8 in Tinicum Township. Upon further inspection, Pennsylvania state troopers found several prescription bottles and a small amount of marijuana on the driver. Sigel was arrested after troopers confiscated more than $4,600, a bottle of codeine syrup with a scratched off label and prescription pills wrapped in plastic bags, according to authorities. Troopers also found a firearm in the center console of the Ford. Both are convicted felons and neither is allowed to possess a gun. (NBC Philadelphia)
The rapper is currently gearing up for a two-year jail bid beginning September 12th.
“In that environment, this outside world…you gotta hang all that up. When I go in there, I won’t be Beanie Sigel. I’ll be 57613-066. That’s who I’ll be. I won’t be Beanie Sigel. I’m not gonna sit in my cell and write rhymes everyday. That’s a real thing inside. There’s people inside who ain’t ever coming out of those buildings. I would talk to them and do my best to be a window for some of ’em who are never gonna make it outta there. We all have the same commissary, we all have the same amount of money on our books, we all gonna eat the same food and nobody cell gonna look different. I’m gonna be a number like everybody else.” (XXL Mag)
