Busta Rhymes' Silence in Bodyguard's Shooting May Spur CD Boycott

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/bustarhymes222

Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2006

By: Leonard Greene, Special to BlackAmericaWeb.com

Busta Rhymes' silence could cost him some CD sales if a Brooklyn-based community group follows through on its threat to boycott the rapper's music for his refusal to cooperate in a murder investigation.

Activist Geoffrey Davis says the only way to get Rhymes to talk without a microphone and a studio and tell authorities what he knows is to hit him where it hurts -- his wallet.

"We're not going to just let an eyewitness go away to California or to Florida while his fame continues to spread," said Davis, director of the Stop the Violence Foundation. "They can't think they can just do this and have their record sales continue like normal."

Rhymes is in hot water for keeping quiet about what he saw outside a Brooklyn studio Feb. 5 when his bodyguard, Israel Ramirez, 29, was shot and killed, presumably while trying to protect him.

Ramirez, a husband and father of three, was killed after an argument inside the warehouse-like facility spilled outside. The bodyguard was gunned down in front of a crowd of nearly 50 people who were on hand for the production of a video for Busta's song "Touch It (Remix)."

Hip Hop artists Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot and DMX were also at the studio for the video shoot.

Busta Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, attended a wake for his slain bodyguard, and promised to take care of Ramirez' three young sons.

"I have sent my condolences to the Ramirez family during this time," Busta said in a statement released by his lawyer, Robert Kalina. "The conversations I have had with Izzy's wife have all been focused on comforting her and helping her get through this."

But police and anti-violence activists said it wasn't enough.

Davis railed against rappers and their La Cosa Nostra-like code of silence.

"Their shutting down and not speaking is a disservice, and we're going to boycott their records," Davis said. "We're going to campaign against these artists."

He said rappers need to recognize that they are role models -- whether they want to be or not. "It would send a positive message to the young people that everybody should be held accountable," Davis said. "Some of them say they don't want to be role models, but this is the position they are in."

Davis also plans to go on New York's Hot 97, one of hip-hop's biggest radio stations, to call Rhymes on the carpet.

Davis has waged a personal campaign against urban violence since his older brother was shot and killed nearly three years ago in one of New York City's most horrific murders. James Davis, a city council member, was gunned down July 23, 2003 in a balcony at City Hall by a political rival who used the councilman's clout to help him avoid a metal detector.

James Davis was trying to mend fences with Othniel Askew, and personally escort him to a council session as his guest. Askew shot the councilman twice in the chest before Davis, a former police officer who was almost always armed, could reach his gun.

Askew was shot and killed by Richard B. Burt, a police officer who was guarding the ornate council chamber.

Geoffrey Davis ran for his brother's seat, but was beaten by another rival. He is running the anti-violence organization that his brother founded and used to propel him in to politics.

This campaign is not the organization's first fight with the rap industry. Several years ago, the group successfully petitioned MTV to show videos with violent lyrics and images until later in the day when children aren't likely to be watching.

The Ramirez shooting and the silence that followed have launched a debate on New York airwaves over silence versus snitching. Industry insiders say rappers who cooperate with police fear losing their credibility.

Neither Busta Rhymes nor his attorney could be reached for comment.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that the shooter may have connections to rapper 50 Cent, but may never crack the case without a little help. Police and prosecutors are considering hauling Busta Rhymes before a grand jury.

"This individual worked for him," said New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. "I think he'd be knocking on the door to come in and give us information. This is not that difficult to figure out. Someone is your employee and he's murdered in front of you, you think he might want to talk to police. But that hasn't happened as of yet."