When rappers get that golden opportunity of landing a record deal, the spotlight is on them and their every move. Many leave their situation for a better life with a big house and cars, while others either stay or return to their hoods to give back and offer a helping hand. However, in this day and age, any decision can land a rapper in hot water.

During his visit to Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion YouTube series, 21 Savage spoke on the “catch-22” that has rappers getting slammed with RICO charges or, even worse, death. According to 21, making it in Hip Hop these days is a double-edged sword.

“Nowadays, a n-gga will wake up and put a clip on Instagram, upload the video to YouTube, now a label at his door and they just gave him a million dollars,” 21 Savage said. “This n-gga 19 so naturally he wanna show his hood like, ‘Bro I made it!’ So now he back in his hood. Now he looking out for his hood, but it’s a catch-22 cause it’s like I can make it and forget about my hood, and then my hood going to try and kill and rob me, or I can look out for my hood, and now I can catch a RICO. ”

He added, “So it’s like a catch-22. It’s just like the time we living in, n-ggas blow up so fast. The n-ggas that they beefing with they mad cause he just got signed or whatever the reason is, and n-ggas know you still going to be right here at 19. Where else you going?”

 

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21 was asked what advice he would give these young rappers who are often targeted, but he couldn’t say much given how deep the situation is on both sides. As he says, it’s a “lose-lose” situation.

“If you get on and turn your back on your hood, you’re a fuck n-gga,” 21 said. “They gonna take your jewelry, they gonna show the world, ‘He ain’t even like that. He’s a bitch.’ If you take care of your hood, you’re a fucking leader.”

21 Savage’s fellow ATLien’s Young Thug and Gunna are currently going through a RICO situation when they, along with 26 other alleged YSL members, were indicted on 56 counts last month.

Young Thug is currently facing several charges, including one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and one count of participation in criminal street gang activity. Meanwhile, Gunna is facing one count of conspiracy to violate the RICO Act.

Catch the rest of 21 Savage’s segment on the RICO Act below.