Bobby Shmurda
Bobby Shmurda | |
---|---|
Birth name | Ackquille Jean Pollard |
Born | Miami, Florida, U.S.[1][2] | August 4, 1994
Origin | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) |
|
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2014-present |
Labels |
Ackquille Jean Pollard (born August 4, 1994),[3] known professionally as Bobby Shmurda, is an American rapper and songwriter. He signed a deal with Epic Records after his song "Hot Nigga" peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014. [4][5] Shmurda also became known for his song "Bobby Bitch" which peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut EP, Shmurda She Wrote, was released on November 10, 2014.
On December 24, 2014, New York City Police arrested Shmurda, and he was charged with conspiracy to murder, weapons possession, and reckless endangerment.[6][7] In 2016, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years in prison, which was reduced to five years after receiving credit for the two years he already served awaiting trial.[8] He is expected to be released on December 11 2020 [9].
While behind bars, Shmurda was featured on the song Stoopid, which peaked at number 25 on the Hot 100.
Early life
Bobby Shmurda was born in Miami, Florida.[2] His mother is Vincentian-American and his father is Jamaican.[10] His mother moved to East Flatbush from Florida after his father's incarceration.[11] Shmurda had run-ins with the law while living in Brooklyn, including fifteen months spent in detention for probation violation and being arrested on gun charges that were later dropped. According to his 2014 indictment, Shmurda was the ringleader of a criminal enterprise called "GS9" that regularly entered into disputes with criminal gangs, was responsible for murders and non-fatal shootings, and engaged in drug trafficking[12] along Kings Highway to East Flatbush.[13]
Career
The first song that he remixed was Crime Mob's "Knuck If You Buck";[11] however, he did not receive any notable attention until 2014, with the release of his song "Hot Nigga".[1] The song uses the instrumental from Lloyd Banks' 2012 song "Jackpot".[14] The song and its accompanying music video went viral shortly after being uploaded to YouTube in the spring of 2014.[11] Shmurda's signature "Shmoney dance", which he performs in the video, soon became an internet meme and was featured in numerous popular Vines from the latter half of 2014;[15] it was also replicated by Beyoncé and Jay-Z during their On the Run Tour[16] and by Canadian rapper Drake while hosting the 2014 ESPY Awards, among other celebrities.[17][18] Freestyles over the instrumental were made by a number of rappers after its release, including Juicy J,[19] French Montana,[20] Lil' Kim,[21] Gunplay,[22] and T.I.[23] Following the song's viral success, Shmurda was signed to Epic Records, and the song was officially released as his debut single under Epic.[24] The song topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart, and peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually being certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The music video received over 637 million views on YouTube as of April 2020.[25] The song's official remix—featuring guest vocals from Fabolous, Chris Brown, Jadakiss, Rowdy Rebel, Busta Rhymes, and Yo Gotti—was released on September 4, 2014.[15][26] A reggae remix of the song was also released in August 2014 that featured Junior Reid, Mavado, Popcaan, and Jah X.[27] Shmurda also became known for his song "Bobby Bitch" which peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut EP, Shmurda She Wrote, was released on November 10, 2014.
Shmurda's debut studio album with Epic Records was scheduled for release in 2016, being executively produced by Jahlil Beats.[14] It was postponed, however, due to his imprisonment.
Shmurda freestyled for rapper Meek Mill in February 2017 and claimed that he was still writing music while in prison.[28]
While incarcerated, he featured on fellow rapper 6ix9ine's single Stoopid, released on October 5, 2018,[29][30] phoning in his verses over the prison telephone.
Legal issues
On June 3, 2014, Shmurda was arrested and charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon. Police claim they saw him flashing the gun in an apartment and when they went to investigate, he tried to hide it in a couch. He was set free on $10,000 bail.[31] On December 17, 2014, police arrested Shmurda and 14 others, including his brother Javese and his fellow GS9 label-mate Rowdy Rebel.[7] Police charged Shmurda with conspiracy to commit murder, reckless endangerment, and drug and gun possession; charges against the others included murder, attempted murder, assault, and drug dealing.[6] Shmurda pleaded guilty and was held on $2 million bail.[32] Police said they had been investigating the gang for murder and shooting indiscriminately at crowds in public places long before Shmurda rose to fame. Police said Shmurda was "the driving force" in a gang also known as GS9 (standing for "Grimey Shooters," "Gun Squad" or "G Stone Crips."),[33] the name of his label, as they dealt crack and waged deadly battles with rival gangs for territory. He faced a maximum sentence of 8–25 years.[34]
James Essig, head of the NYPD unit that made the arrests, said Shmurda's songs and videos were "almost like a real-life document of what they were doing on the street."[34] In his song "Hot Nigga", Shmurda rapped that "I been selling crack since like the fifth grade" because "Jaja taught me"; Shmurda also rapped about his crew's past and future murders.[35] Shmurda has asserted that the lyrics represent his real life in several interviews, though the Supreme Court of New Jersey recently ruled that lyrics cannot be read at trial as evidence unless they have a "strong nexus" to a specific crime.[6] During his jail time, Shmurda was involved in a suspected Bloods vs. Crips related fight.[36]
Between late June and early July 2015, the rapper, along with his ex-girlfriend, were caught by officials having smuggled a knife into Rikers Island jail.[37] The two were both charged with two counts of promoting contraband, in addition to one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, then that could result in an additional seven-year sentence. Shmurda appeared in the Bronx Supreme Court to face his charges of prison contraband plus 25 years for his previous charge in late 2014. He and his ex-girlfriend pleaded not guilty to the contraband charge, but Shmurda was still facing a maximum sentence of 25 years for the drug and gun charges.[38][39]
Conviction
On September 2, 2016, as part of a plea deal, Shmurda pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree conspiracy and one count of weapons possession, and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Under the deal, Shmurda cannot appeal the sentence, but will be given credit for two years served, leaving five years left on his sentence, followed by five years of probation.[40] His lawyer Alex Spiro expects that with good behavior, Shmurda will only serve approximately three and a half years.[41] In early 2017, Shmurda was given a four-year sentence for sneaking a prison shiv into his cell. The sentence will run concurrently to his ongoing seven-year sentence, meaning he will not face any additional prison time.[42] Shmurda has a parole hearing scheduled for August 2020 and his conditional release date is scheduled to be December 11, 2020.[43]
Incarceration
Shmurda was first imprisoned in Rikers Island.[44] He has been engaged in numerous incidents while incarcerated. In May 2015, Shmurda got in a brawl that included members from the Bloods and Crips street gangs.[45] In November 2016, Shmurda was involved in a brawl between several inmates that led to his losing phone privileges for an unnamed period of time and being sent to solitary confinement for a month.[46] In 2017 he was moved to Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York, to finish his sentence in protective custody.[47]
Images of Shmurda while incarcerated surfaced online after three years served of a five-year plea deal.[48]
In March 2019, interviewer DJ Vlad conducted an interview with Shmurda over the phone.[49]
Discography
Mixtapes
Title | Album details |
---|---|
Shmoney Shmurda (with GS9)[50] |
|
Shmurdaville |
|
Extended plays
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [51] |
US R&B/HH [52] |
US Rap [53] | |||
Shmurda She Wrote |
|
79 | 7 | 5 |
Singles
As lead artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [5] |
US R&B/HH [55] |
US Rap [56] |
CAN [57] |
FRA [58] |
UK [59] | ||||||||
"Hot N*gga" | 2014 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 161 | 74 | Shmurda She Wrote | |||||
"Bobby Bitch" | 92 | 25 | 21 | — | — | — | |||||||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
As featured artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [5] |
US R&B/HH [55] |
CAN [57] |
UK | |||
"How Can I Lose" (YT Triz featuring Bobby Shmurda) |
2014 | — | — | — | — | Tales from Crime Hill |
"Body Dance" (Uncle Murda featuring Bobby Shmurda) |
— | — | — | — | non-album single | |
"Computers"[61] (Rowdy Rebel featuring Bobby Shmurda) |
— | — | — | — | Shmoney Shmurda | |
"Bodies" (Chinx featuring Bobby Shmurda and Rowdy Rebel) |
— | — | — | — | non-album single | |
"Stoopid"[30] (6ix9ine featuring Bobby Shmurda) |
2018 | 25 | 15 | 22 | 34 | Dummy Boy |
Guest appearances
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Hit Em Hard" | 2014 | The Game, Freddie Gibbs, Skeme | Blood Moon: Year of the Wolf |
"24 Hours (Remix)" | TeeFLii, Ty Dolla $ign | — | |
"On My Way" | Rich The Kid, Rowdy Rebel | Rich Than Famous | |
"Celebration" | Shy Glizzy | Law 3: Now or Never | |
"Block Boy" | Foolie Tha Prince, Gusto Tha Animal | — | |
"Shmoney Never Stop" | 2015 | Migos | Migo Lingo |
"Right Now" | 2016 | Rowdy Rebel, French Montana | Shmoney Keeps Calling |
"She All About Her Shmoney" | Rowdy Rebel, Too $hort | ||
"Time Ticking" | Juelz Santana, Dave East, Rowdy Rebel | — |
References
- ^ a b (cus I'm not racist)_17316172 "Bobby Shmurda's one Hot Nigga". Jamaica Observer. August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
{{cite web}}
: Check|url=
value (help) - ^ a b Nestel, M. L. (December 17, 2014). "Rapper Bobby Shmurda Arrested at New York's Notorious Quad Studios". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ dan-rys (December 18, 2014). "Here Are The Official Charges Against Jamie Do And GS9". XXL Mag. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Tomorrow's Hits: Bobby Shmurda, Priory & Anzel". Billboard. July 25, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Bobby Shmurda – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- ^ a b c Sullivan, Gail (December 19, 2014). "How rapper Bobby Shmurda, charged in murder, drug trafficking sting, became an alleged gangster". Washington Post. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ a b Rosenberg, Rebecca; Perez, Chris (December 18, 2014). "Bobby Shmurda to be arraigned on drug ring charges". New York Post. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda cops seven-year plea deal in gang conspiracy, case". Retrieved September 12, 2016.
- ^ "NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision". nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov.
- ^ "Premiere: Brooklyn's Last Badmon Bobby Shmurda Talks "Hot Nigga" Reggae Remix". The Fader. United States. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c Ahmed, Insanul (July 14, 2014). "Meet Bobby Shmurda, the Brooklyn Rapper Everyone Is Talking About". Complex. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ "15 members of GS 9 gang indicted and arrested: 210 firearms seized" (PDF). nyc.gov. December 18, 2014.
- ^ Pearce, Sheldon (December 16, 2015). "Why is Bobby Shmurda still in jail?". The Guardian. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- ^ a b Trammell, Matthew (July 30, 2014). "Interview: Jahlil Beats Talks Producing "Hot Nigga," Bobby Shmurda's Breakout Hit". The Fader. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ a b Smith, Trevor (August 8, 2014). "Bobby Shmurda Confirms Chris Brown & More For "Hot Nigga" Official Remix". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ Dharmic X (July 12, 2014). "Looks Like Beyoncé Did the Shmoney Dance At the "On The Run" Show Tonight". Complex. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Fall, Kyle (July 16, 2014). "Drake Hosts The 2014 ESPY Awards". rapWAVE. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ Goddard, Kevin (July 17, 2014). "Drake Hosts 2014 ESPY Awards". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ "Juicy J "Hot Nigga Freestyle"". HipHopDX. July 21, 2014. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ Fleischer, Adam (August 5, 2014). "French Montana Shmoney Dances All Over Bobby Shmurda's 'Hot N—a' Remix". MTV. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ Robertson, Darryl (August 7, 2014). "New Music: Lil Kim Jumps On Bobby Shmurda's 'Hot N**ga'". Vibe. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ Rys, Dan (August 8, 2014). "Gunplay Throws Shots At 50 Cent On His "Hot N***a" Remix". XXL. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ "New Music: T.I. – 'Hot Ni**a (Remix)'". Rap-Up. August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ Alexis, Nadeska (July 18, 2014). "Bobby Shmurda Signed A Record Deal… Break Out The Shmoney Dance". MTV. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ^ Mendizabal, Amaya (August 7, 2014). "Iggy Azalea Closes In On Rap Chart Record With 'Fancy'". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ "New Music: Bobby Shmurda Feat. Fabolous, Jadakiss, Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, Rowdy Rebel And Yo Gotti 'Hot Ni**a (Remix)'". Vibe. September 7, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- ^ Alexis, Nadeska (August 29, 2014). "Listen To Bobby Shmurda's Official Reggae Remix Of 'Hot N—a'". MTV. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ "Listen to Bobby Shmurda Deliver a Freestyle From Prison". Spin. February 28, 2017. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda Guests on 6ix9ine's New Song "Stoopid"". Complex. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
- ^ a b "Stoopid – Single by 6ix9ine on Apple Music". Apple Inc. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda – Rapper Bobby Shmurda Facing Gun Charge". Contactmusic.com. August 29, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda Speaks From Jail: 'People Are Trying to Take My Life Away for Being Blessed' (Exclusive)". Billboard. February 8, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
- ^ "A 20-Year-Old Kid From Brooklyn Just Owned Hip-Hop This Summer, Here's How". Elite Daily.
- ^ a b Hays, Tom (December 18, 2014). "NYC Rapper pleads not guilty to gun, drug charges". Yahoo News. Associated Press. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ "Hot Nigga Lyrics". Genius Lyrics. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda -- Knuckles Up for Crips vs. Bloods ... Jailhouse Edition". tmz.com. May 16, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ Hill, John. "BOBBY SHMURDA FACES MORE JAIL TIME AFTER SMUGGLING A KNIFE INTO JAIL – NOISEY". Vice. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda & Girlfriend Plead Not Guilty to Her Smuggling Knife Into Prison: Report – Billboard". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. July 24, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ Schwartz, Danny (October 5, 2015). "Bobby Shmurda Denied Bail Yet Again, Trial Set For 2016". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda Accepts Plea Deal, Will Serve Seven Years". Retrieved September 20, 2016.
- ^ Mckinley Jr, James C, . (September 9, 2016). "Rapper Bobby Shmurda Takes 7-Year Plea Deal in Gang Case". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
{{cite news}}
:|first=
has numeric name (help) - ^ "Bobby Shmurda Sentenced For Prison Shank". tmz.com. April 7, 2017.
- ^ "NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision". nysdoccslookup.doccs.ny.gov.
- ^ https://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX- (February 3, 2017). "Bobby Shmurda Moves Prisons After Someone Tries To Stab Him". HipHopDX.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|last=
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda Was Reportedly Involved in a Gang-Related Jail Fight". Complex. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- ^ "Here's How Much Money Bobby Shmurda Is Reportedly Making With New Prison Job". BET.com. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda Looks Happy In Prison In New Photo With Family". Urban Islandz. October 6, 2018.
- ^ "Photos Released of Bobby Shmurda as He Approaches 3 Years Behind Bars". BET.com. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda on Taking More Prison Time to Lessen Rowdy Rebel's Sentence (Part 1)". YouTube. djvlad. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ "GS9 – Shmoney Shmurda (Shmixtape)". DatPiff. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Bobby Shrmurda – Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Bobby Shrmurda – Chart History: Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016.
- ^ "Shmurda She Wrote – EP by Bobby Shmurda". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
- ^ a b "Bobby Shmurda – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda – Chart History: Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "Bobby Shmurda – Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 30, 2017. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- ^ "Discographie Bobby Shmurda". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
select "Singles" tab
- ^ "Bobby Shmurda Celebrates First Platinum Single 'Hot Ni**a'". Vibe. December 6, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Computers (feat. Bobby Shmurda) - Single by Rowdy Rebel on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
- 1994 births
- Living people
- American rappers of Jamaican descent
- American rappers of Trinidad and Tobago descent
- 21st-century American singers
- African-American male rappers
- East Coast hip hop musicians
- Epic Records artists
- Prisoners and detainees of New York (state)
- Rappers from Florida
- Rappers from Brooklyn
- Crips
- 21st-century American rappers
- 21st-century male singers
- People from Flatbush, Brooklyn