Jay-Z‘s gun possession case has been pushed back to October 16th a judge ruled yesterday (June 26th). The arrest of the high profile artist brought light to the fact that the NYPD had developed what they called a "Rap Patrol," to watch rappers at their favorite hangouts. The reason for the delay is attributed to lawyers on both sides waiting to see if a Grand Jury indicts Jigga on the charge. Although Jay-Z’s bodyguard was in possession of the gun, under New York law, all occupants of the car were charged with gun possession. Jay-Z has pleaded not guilty. Jigga’s case has brought attention to the NYPD and the book they are compiling, "Crime Trends in the Rap Music Industry," which as of April, had information on more than 40 rappers, including their names, nicknames and photos. The book also states what kind of vehicle each rapper drives, what record label the artist is on and what club they prefer to attend. "Nobody said we were targeting rappers," NYPD Sgt Brian Burke said. "We are targeting the music industry, where there have been a number of incidents. No one incident was responsible." Jay-Z’s lawyer Murray Richman strongly disagreed, however. "Who are the rappers in New York? They’re all African-Americans and this is clear racial profiling with all the negative connotations." Richman said. “It’s going to create more trouble. A person who is defined as a rapper – and that definition will be loosely applied – will have to concern himself wherever he goes. He will be under specific surveillance, he can’t make a move or turn around because he will be stopped and searched – that’s clearly in violation of the constitution of the United States.”
Jay-Z‘s
gun possession case has been pushed back to October 16th
a judge ruled yesterday (June 26th). The arrest of the
high profile artist brought light to the fact that the
NYPD had developed what they called a "Rap Patrol,"
to watch rappers at their favorite hangouts.
The reason
for the delay is attributed to lawyers on both sides waiting
to see if a Grand Jury indicts Jigga on the charge. Although
Jay-Z’s bodyguard was in possession of the gun, under
New York law, all occupants of the car were charged with
gun possession. Jay-Z has pleaded not guilty.
Jigga’s case
has brought attention to the NYPD and the book they are
compiling, "Crime Trends in the Rap Music Industry,"
which as of April, had information on more than 40 rappers,
including their names, nicknames and photos. The book
also states what kind of vehicle each rapper drives, what
record label the artist is on and what club they prefer
to attend.
"Nobody
said we were targeting rappers," NYPD Sgt Brian Burke
said. "We are targeting the music industry, where
there have been a number of incidents. No one incident
was responsible."
Jay-Z’s lawyer
Murray Richman strongly disagreed, however. "Who
are the rappers in New York? They’re all African-Americans
and this is clear racial profiling with all the negative
connotations." Richman said. “It’s going to create
more trouble. A person who is defined as a rapper – and
that definition will be loosely applied – will have to
concern himself wherever he goes. He will be under specific
surveillance, he can’t make a move or turn around because
he will be stopped and searched – that’s clearly in violation
of the constitution of the United States.”
