Birdman has controversially questioned whether reading can help prison inmates during a prison visit.
In a new clip that surfaced on social media this week, the Cash Money Records founder could be seen talking to a group of inmates at Orleans Parish Prison and claimed: “I got enough power to help y’all.”
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The rapper and record executive was then interrupted by an inmate who said that they wanted greater access to books and literature.
Birdman then retorted: “You think reading books gone help y’all?”
Birdman: "I got enough power to help y'all"
Inmate: "Ok, We need books to read"
Birdman: "You think reading books gone help ya.."
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) June 19, 2024
Birdman’s comments were defended by Baton Rouge rapper Fredo Bang in a post on X.
“People who never did time might be confused on what he saying,” he wrote on Wednesday (June 19). “It looks like they are ‘pre-trial’ meaning they still fighting charges and can possibly go home. If I’m them help is a ‘good lawyer or a bond.’
“The one asking for books probably doesn’t plan on going home (or knows he gonna have to take time) soon and in that case books would be a good thing to have. Just a lil clarity…”
People who never did time might be confused on what he saying. It look like they are “Pre-trial” meaning they still fighting charges and can possibly go home. If im them help is a “Good Lawyer or a Bond”.
The one asking for books probably doesn’t plan on going home (or knows he… https://t.co/O9XPoqDcjP— It’s Tha Bang Man (@FredoBang) June 19, 2024
Screenwriter and Hip Hop journalist Cheo Hodari Coker also shared an X post about writing ex-convicts as bookworms: “When some of the execs asked me why I made Luke Cage a bookworm, this was why.
“The majority of brothers I’ve known who have spent time inside, and aren’t recidivist, come out bookworms. That’s why Pop was a fan of Donald Goines, where Luke liked edgy Detective fiction (Mosley, Pelecanos, Price) re: Episode 102.”
When some of the execs asked me why I made Luke Cage a bookworm, this was why. The majority of brothers I've known who have spent time inside, and aren't recidivist, come out bookworms. That's why Pop was a fan of Donald Goines, where Luke liked edgy Detective fiction (Mosley,… https://t.co/Ddcw67fqTU
— Cheo Hodari Coker (@cheo_coker) June 19, 2024
Birdman was recently criticized by NBA YoungBoy over an alleged betrayal.
On his new track “Tears of War,” YoungBoy took aim at Birdman, who once acted as a mentor to the controversial star.
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Premiered by Akademiks, the song finds YoungBoy rapping of his former collaborator: “Knew that Stunna never loved me, should’ve listened to Carter.”
The “Carter” lines references Lil Wayne publicly warning him not to trust Birdman on the 2020 song “Multiple Flows,” where Weezy said: “And I had told YoungBoy to watch out for old head.”
According to Ak, “Tears of War” is the last song that YoungBoy recorded before his recent arrest.
It’s unclear what prompted their apparent dispute, with NBA YoungBoy and Birdman being close prior to “Tears of War.”
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Stunna had even gone so far as to say that YoungBoy could save Hip Hop in a FaceTime chat between the two that was posted online last year.
