RIP KING VON

               REST IN POWER BROTHER 

I had just gotten put on to King Von's Music about two Months before His Tragic death.

In a World of  copycat Rappers, His voice and his presence was unique.

There's been many things said about Von but one thing's for certain, no one has ever accused Him 

of being fake. His extensive criminal history only added to His mystique.

You could hear the Raw power in every word He said, He meant it.

Some people make excellent melodies, others are good at freestyling but Von received a lot of praise for His storytelling ability and from a fellow story teller, His gift definitely lied in His ability to take the reader on a journey in a very descriptive way. You actually felt like you shared the experience with Him. 

He was a great talent having only been in the Music game for roughly two years, Von made major head waves. He had just found success in something He loved, something positive that helped Him channel all of His anger and frustration. 

Sadly on the 6th of November 2020 it was all snatched away. 

King Von was shot in Atlanta Georgia at a Hookah lounge after a verbal altercation with another group 

of Men. Recently southside Chicago gained a reputation of being heavily Gang infested. This is the environment that Von grew up in. He was a Young Man being only 26 years old.

He grew up around Gang members and Weapons, this was normal to Him.

I don't know much about gang culture but I understand growing up in an unhealthy environment.

Thinking that negativity is normal. One Homie shot and two more shot to avenge the death of the first.

Its a never ending cycle. Feeling like you're a coward if you ain't clap back. This is the game.

There's a saying that goes something like; 

'when arguing with a fool, from a distance people cannot tell who the fool is.'

I'm not saying Von was an Angel, He was simply a product of His environment just like His Murderer 

was but there is no sympathy for Him. We glorify the drug game and death unless its someone we Love. King Von's  Murderer is a Devil in the eyes of the public but Von has bragged about the amount of bodies He has if we're being honest here. 

Timothy Leeks, the Man charged with Von's Murder was also a young Man with much to live for.

He'll probably never fulfill His highest potential because He'll be in Prison with other 'REAL NIGGAS'.

I'm left wondering what all of this is worth, am I contributing to the Violence by being a Rap fan ?

Will one less supporter of this bullshit make it stop? 

I get really excited when I listen to Gangsta Rap, hands firmly in the trigger position. 

How am I contributing to the Violence by accepting all of this is cool. 

Will my Boy Child one day feel the need to prove how 'Real' He is ? 

All of this scares Me knowing how hard Black Men have it already. 

No one is perfect and we can only hope to grow in Wisdom and Maturity but King Von's death really 

left an impact on me. I've been known to be quick to anger and act out of impulse often so it makes me wonder if I would have shared the same fate if I was born under His circumstances. 

I wonder if He didn't feel pressure to prove How G he was, would He have walked away ?

Perhaps He would have been a laughing stock to His friends but He would still be Alive.

He chose to die rather than be a Punk, and I'm sure his Friend's celebrate that. 

If He walked away when things began to escalate there's a good chance he would've grown more successful in Music and changed the World His three Children grew up in, they're all under five. This is heartbreaking.

Black Man if you're reading this, if you care about the opinion of just one Black Woman, I want you to know that it's ok to walk away. A Punk is one who dies an irresponsible death. You are so much more than a Gangsta. You're a talented Man, you're smart and the World needs you here to make things better.

Instead of shooting Him and going to Prison, lets work and make strategic moves so we'll buy every complex in the neighborhood that Nigga grew up in.

Or better yet, realize that this person you hate is a mirror image of you. Just as broken and desperate so don't even engage. Don't even bother. Win for you and no one else. This is where true happiness lies.

The opposite of Love isn't hate it's disinterest. Remember that whatever you starve will die and whatever you water will grow. You'll know you've moved on when the person doesn't cross your mind.

 If not for Me do it for the Kids. We need you here as a Leader, we can't do it without you.

I Love you Brother.