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Biography
Growing up with 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks, they formed the group G-Unit. They released successful mixtapes together, slowly creating a buzz for themselves on the streets of New York. With the success of the their mixtapes, Tony Yayo quickly made a name for himself in the rap circuit
G-Unit
G-Unit was founded when childhood friends, Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent and Tony Yayo decided to make a group with each other. They met Young Buck when Cash Money group came to New York and 50 Cent heard Young Buck rapping. After 50 Cent signed his contract with Aftermath Entertainment they took Buck in the group and signed him.
Fronted by 50 Cent, G-Unit quickly redefined the urban music industry back to Gangster Rap. They produced a series of mixtape albums with original numbers and high quality artwork, making the discs something more than a bootleg, but not quite an independent release.
50 Cent was soon granted his own Record Label by Dr Dre and released the album Get Rich Or Die Tryin. Soon after the group had established their own record label, G-Unit, G-Unit released their first official group album Beg For Mercy in November of 2003, which remained in the top 20 of the Billboard 2000 after four months on the charts.
Arrest
On December 31, 2002, Just before the release of G-Unit’s much anticipated album, Beg For Mercy, Tony Yayo was arrested along with 50 Cent on weapons-possession charges. During a background check, police discovered Yayo had an outstanding warrant for a previous weapons-possession charge. In early 2003, he was sentenced for bail-jumping and would remain in jail until the beginning of 2004. Because of his arrest he was unable to record for the album and was therefore only featured on two tracks that had been recorded before.
Free Yayo
During Tony Yayo’s imprisonment, G-Unit was becoming increasingly popular. They started a campaign called "Free Yayo". Many G-Unit videos featured the group’s members wearing "Free Yayo" T-Shirts, but Yayo himself was unaware of the attention he was receiving. The prison inmates that Yayo shared a television with preferred watching sports rather than music videos. When Eminem and 50 Cent were scheduled to make an appearance during the Grammy Awards, he convinced everyone to change the channel. It was the first time he saw a "Free Yayo" shirt-his time worn by Eminem.[2] Inspired by the shirt, he started working extra hard on his rhymes while keeping in touch with the G-Unit crew who were letting him know that he would get his chance once he was a free man.
Release from prison
On January 8, 2004, Tony Yayo was released from prison, but after presenting a forged passport to his parole officer a day later, he was imprisoned again for a few weeks. Upon release, Tony Yayo was finally able to start work on his debut album. Whilst working on his album, he was also recording on the G-Unit Radio mixtape series in which he announced his return on the street level.
Albums
Debut album
While his appearances on mixtapes announced his return on the street level, his summer hit “So Seductive” let the rest of the world know. In August, while his single was dominating urban radio, MTV, and BET, Yayo released his debut, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon [3] His album hit the No.2 spot on the billboard charts selling over 700,000 world wide. It was certified Gold. The other singles that were released from this album were: "Curios", "Pimpin’", "Drama Setter", and "I Know You Don’t Love Me".
Second album
Godfather of the Ghetto is the second album from G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo. The first street single is "It's A Stick Up", featuring Mazaradi FOX and Snoop From The Wire. A video was shot for that single and can be seen on Tony Yayo's MySpace page. Tony Yayo has also recorded a track with DMX along with 50 Cent on a track titled "50 Reasons". In a recent interview with 106 & Park Tony Yayo stated that the album will be released after 50 Cent's album, Curtis. [4] Another confirmed track is "N.I.G.G.A.Z." (featuring Young Buck).
Controversy
Main article: G-Unit feuds
The Game
Main article: G-Unit vs. The Game
Tony Yayo willingly involves himself in the G-Unit and Game Beef. He has been known to denounce the games street credibility in various interviews and diss songs. On his mixtape G-Unit Radio Pt.23: Finally Off Papers, Tony Yayo made some hits towards The Game in the track Mo Money, Mo Problems by poking fun about his album sales being considerably less without the help of 50 Cent or G-Unit. At the end of the track, he finished by calling The Game a "faggot". In an interview with MTV, Tony Yayo speaks on many rappers who he "doesn’t believe". He says
“ I don't believe Cam'ron, I don't believe Jim Jones, I don't believe Lil Wayne, I don't believe Baby, I don't believe Game and I don't believe Fat Joe[5] ”
Recent controversy
On March 24, 2007, Tony Yayo was arrested for allegedly assaulting the 14 year-old son of The Game's manager, Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond. Tony Yayo and 50 Cent were accused of approaching the child, with members of their entourage, and pushing him against a nearby wall. This was when Tony Yayo reportedly slapped the boy several time and said "Fuck Czar Entertainment". [6] Tony Yayo has pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ and 50 Cent has since proved his innocence with video footage showing him at his Connecticut Mansion at the time of the alleged incident. [7]
Tony Yayo made his first court appearance on the morning of April 25, 2007 in New York. The case was adjourned to July 24. Tony Yayo’s Lawyer has expressed his belief that Yayo is innocent and commented on the situation in an interview with MTV:
“ After a thorough investigation, I steadfastly and adamantly state to you that Tony Yayo did not slap anyone, I am hopeful that when the authorities complete their investigation, they will come to the same conclusion. Yayo, as a father, understands the allegations and would never do anything to harm a child… [8] ”
On April 18, 2007, the house of Tony Yayo’s mother was "sprayed with bullets". The attack is believed to be in connection with Tony Yayo’s recent arrest. [9]
The Game later released a diss track on his mixtape, "You Know What it is Vol.4" titled "Body Bags"
Cam’ron
Tony Yayo openly involves himself in 50 Cent's Feuds. The most recent example of this would be the 50 Cent Vs Cam’ron Feud. Although Tony Yayo hasn’t released a direct diss track towards Cam’ron he has voiced his opinion through interviews. In an interview with MTV Tony Yayo commented on what he thinks of the situation:
“ I feel like Cam’ron is a peon. Let's ask the general public: When is the last time Cam’ron made a fucking hit? It's time for these niggas to pay the piper. Rap is a competitive sport and I play around with it. Sometimes dudes catch feelings, sometimes they don't. Me, I don't understand these dudes. These dudes reach out on the phone and try to call people. After that incident, Jim, he reached out to Buck. This is what Buck tells me: Jim Jones reaches out to Buck and was trying to tell Buck to get me on the phone. I don't do the phone thing. I don't need none of these rap niggas to be my friends. My best friend sells the most records and makes the most money ... I've seen checks for $5.5 million that 50 Cent is generating monthly just from his Vitamin Water. I don't believe Cam’ron, I don't believe Jim Jones, I don't believe Lil Wayne, I don't believe Baby, I don't believe Game and I don't believe Fat Joe[10] ”
Discography
Main article: Tony Yayo discography
Studio albums
2005: Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
2007: Godfather of the Ghetto
Solo singles
2005: "So Seductive" (featuring 50 Cent)
2005: "Curious" (featuring Joe)
2005: "I Know You Don't Love Me" (featuring 50 Cent, Young Buck, & Lloyd Banks)
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Shot at 2007-06-28
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