Rappers in New York City are finding out that certain actions and lyrics are leading them straight to jail. The NYPD's latest tool in cutting down on crime doesn't require wire taps, informants and typical police work. Instead their simply watching rapper's YouTube videos and letting the artists snitch on themselves, according to the New York Times.
Dub Money Gang
In December 2011 a music video by the Dub Money Gang led to the arrest of eleven gang members
“You really have to listen to the songs because they’re talking about ongoing violence,”said Brooklyn anti-gang Officer Fred Vanpelt
Through videos officers discovered that rapper Murder Malco, real name Cuame Nelson, and a member of Addicted To Money (A.T.C.) crew were allegedly gang members. Both are currently under federal indictments for crimes they committed.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” said Patrice Allen, who manages Murder Malco A.T.C. member, K-Dot, real name Karon Stanley. "If you have that much passion and love for the music, I guess you have to deal with it. That’s just what comes with the music. It’s the bitter and the sweet, you know?”
Another rapper that has recently been arrested because of YouTube music video is Na Boogz, reportedly a member of the Bronx gang WTG.
The list of crimes these men and their associates have been accused of include shootings, stabbings, gun possession, drug dealing and more.
Na Boogz
Police pay close attention to diss videos like the one Na Boogz made going at former crew member Quaysean Haywood, who switched over to a new crew.
Bridget G. Brennan, the special narcotics prosecutor for New York City, said that even though diss videos have been around forever, media forums are giving rapper's with real street beefs a bigger audience.
“There’s now a much bigger audience. It’s not just that the whole neighborhood knows about the dispute,” she said. “You can get tens of thousands of hits on a YouTube video. It’s a much bigger arena.”
Check out some of the videos below
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