Ya Heard: When keepin' it real goes wrong

"Age is no guarantee of maturity."

-- Lawana Blackwell

Earl Simmons, aka DMX, has pleaded guilty in exchange for a plea deal to yet another criminal charge this week. The charges were a result of the rapper throwing a lunch tray at an Arizona prison guard while incarcerated earlier this year.

This is at least the 10th criminal or traffic case in which Simmons has been involved within the last seven to eight years. Most of these cases have resulted in jail time. Many media outlets are now dubbing him the "serial law breaker."

With his rap sheet, it is clear Simmons has no regard for the law. His situation is not one you can merely pin to the unruly, ghetto-rap-star stereotype; this man really has some problems. Yet, DMX aside, the story got me to thinking about the issue of the law and hip-hop stars.

I touched on this subject some time ago, but I feel it must be reexamined.

For starters, let it be known hip-hop stars have a huge bull's-eye on their chest for stereo-types, prejudice and law enforcement. With that being said, some hip-hop stars enhance these targets through careless actions and words. Be mindful of the word "some," as con-trary to popular belief, most hip-hop stars are not too different from other entertainers in show business. They are sons, fathers, brothers, uncles, daughters, moms, sisters, aunts, etc. just as you and me. At times, the business they're in can be a lightning rod for negative attention. The nature of the business is the gift and curse of the culture itself, especially for today's hip-hop entertainer.

The hip-hop business is one of the few businesses that leaves little room for intellectual growth for those directly involved (i.e. an emcee). Breakout emcees, such as Kanye West, the Black Eyed Peas or any other artist that would be considered "safe" by the measure of popular culture, are the exception.

Yet, the countless others who have gained any recognizable success are locked into their street-wise/hood-inspired ways. They are not encouraged by the business to intellectually evolve, for fear of losing fans and album sales. A lot of today's hip-hop artists today are rewarded and are more readily received by the people if they are from the streets. In order to attract and keep their fanbase, they are practically forced to maintain a street corner mentality.

Now, you may say hip-hop has always embraced the street corner mentality, and you would be correct. However, it is important to remember hip-hop was born on those street corners as a means of artistic expression and to escape those street corners. It went worldwide and became what it is today. However, even though the culture was birthed on inner city street corners, it was always something bigger.

This hip-hop game, and everyone in it, is locked into this keepin'-it-real mentality -- what-ever that is. The truth is, any person from a childhood of poverty and violence is celebrated if and when they overcome those odds to become a functional person in society. Whether he or she becomes a lawyer, a doctor, an entrepreneur or what have you, we say "good for them" and applaud their strength. In hip-hop, we applaud, pay and dance for our favorite emcees…as long as they "keep it real" for the rest of their breathing days. 'Til next week, Peace!!!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.