California Rapper Faces Life Sentence For His Album Cover

When this story first broke, we thought it was a hoax or some satire site running their games. Turns out this is a real case in the State of California and we are STUNNED, like the rest of the country.

According to Urban Intellectuals, Brandon Duncan, aka Tiny Doo, lyrics cover the subjects most rap music cover these days: gangs, money, sex, and violence. Featuring duets with stars like Lil’ Wayne, he has a decent following in his area and looking to build upon that in the future. With songs on his album like “No Safety”, his content is what you would expect out of the typical, modern day rapper.

However, Duncan was charged with attempted murder charges in court along with 14 other people. The charges are gang conspiracy in the murder of 9 people since April 2013.

As bizarre as it seems, the prosecutors are using a little known state law that was voted into effect in 2000 by the general public. The law states gang members can be prosecuted if they benefit from crimes committed by other gang members.

Keep in mind, Duncan hasn’t been charged with any crimes before, nor directly involved in any of the killings, the prosecutors argue he has benefited from the murders allowing him to sell more albums.

"We're not just talking about a CD of anything, of love songs. We're talking about a CD (cover) … there is a revolver with bullets," said Deputy District Attorney Anthony Campagna.

Duncan's lawyer calls these charges a reach.

"It’s shocking. He has no criminal record. Nothing in his lyrics say go out and commit a crime. Nothing in his lyrics reference these shootings, yet they are holding him liable for conspiracy. There are huge constitutional issues," said Brian Watkins, Duncan’s attorney.

No matter what we think about Duncan’s music or the culture he lives in, to be charged with murder and be up for a life sentence in prison seems ridiculous. We wonder if Martin Scoresese or Bratt Pitt will be sentenced to life in prison for making violent movies that obviously benefit from the violence, drugs and crime?