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Tony Yayo

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Marvin Bernard (born March 31 1978), better known by his rap persona Tony Yayo, is an American hip-hop artist of Haitian descent, who is signed to the popular rap group G-Unit, and currently resides in Miller Place, New York on Long Island.

Contents

Biography

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Tony Yayo is one of the original members of G-Unit. While touring through New York, the rapper was arrested for an outstanding warrant on weapons charges and was sentenced to prison for over a year. While he was in prison in 2003, he became a father to a little girl named Maniyah. The imprisoned rapper was recording with G-Unit, even though he only appears twice on the debut album Beg For Mercy. When he was initially released from prison he was arrested again the following day for possessing a forged passport. The incident forced Yayo to spend six months in prison. After release, the rapper began preparing for his debut album. While out of prison, Yayo addresses the time spent in prison and usually mentions being on probation and having to wear an ankle bracelet.

Tony Yayo's style is known for his rapid-fire delivery, witty outburst, feuding with other rappers and producers. The rapper made monikers for his stage name, like Tsunami Yayo or his personal favorite T.O.N.Y. ("Talk Of New York") and Yayo is a word for cocaine.

Tony Yayo has been featured on many of his fellow G-Unit solo debuts, preparing himself for his own release. His features included 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and The Game. Outside of G-Unit, Yayo has also recorded with such hip-hop artists as Lil' Flip, Paul Wall, Obie Trice, Eminem and Dr. Dre. His album Thoughts Of A Predicate Felon was released in late August 2005.

Free Yayo

Free Yayo is a movement initiated by G-Unit with the intention of creating a support network for the imprisoned Tony Yayo. For instance, on the G-Unit track Stunt 101 fellow rapper Young Buck says "free yayo"; the video for that same track features "free Yayo" graffiti. The movement got to be much larger than any member of G-Unit had predicted, even with such seasoned artists such as Eminem wearing a "Free Yayo" T-Shirt at the 2003 Grammy awards, and also resulted in the sale of clothing and accessories with writing 'Free Yayo' on them. The movement was responsible for the excitement and anticipation created for the release of the imprisoned G-Unit member. As another result, Tony Yayo's appearances on underground mixtapes greatly boosted sales of DJs such as DJ Clue and DJ Whoo Kid. A cell phone game titled G-Unit: Free Yayo was made by Zingy.

Controversy

In 2005, 50 Cent officially booted his protege The Game from G-Unit. This incident caused a long standing feud between the group and the west coast rapper. Since then, Yayo has said many unfavorable comments about The Game. Yayo claims that The Game looks like Mr. Potato Head and his past is fabricated only to make him look more like a gangsta. Yayo explained why being featured on The Documentary only helped The Game bring more appeal to the streets and that his attacks on G-Unit are hypocritical.

Tony Yayo claims that The Game is known for his "break-up to make-up" feuds and his association with rappers G-Unit are currently feuding with. Yayo poked fun at his dating show appearance on Change Of Heart. The Game's disloyalty as G-Unit puts it were the reasons to dismiss the rapper from the group.

The Game threatened the sales of Tony Yayo's album. He promised his fans to purchase The Documentary and then mail the copy to The Black Wall Street Records offices whereas he'll personally autograph each copy and include an official mixtape.

During a video release for Busta Rhymes, the rapper had a heated exchange with producer Swizz Beatz. After Tony Yayo and his entourage left abruptly, a shooting had occurred leaving one of Busta Rhymes' bodyguards dead. The New York Police Department are investigating the incident. Since the death, Tony Yayo as well as Busta Rhymes have been tight lipped about the incident, forcing the police to subpoena the rappers to testify.

It is believed that The Game won his feud with Tony Yayo after Yayo's album sales could make no match of those sold by The Game. Previously, G-Unit claimed that The Game could not make a single hit without their support. This seemed controversial, however, when Tony Yayo's first single 'So Seductive' "featuring 50 cent" did not manage to peak on top on the charts, as opposed to The Game's 'Hate it or love it' "featuring 50 cent" which peaked at number 1.

Today many critics who do not recognize G-Unit claim that they are a pop group which cannot make a hit without Joe's help. Singles that were most criticized were 'I wanna get to know you' by G-Unit feat. Joe, 'Karma' by Lloyd banks feat. Joe and 'Curious' by Tony Yayo feat. Joe.

Discography

Album

Mixtapes/Other

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US R&B/Hip-Hop US Rap UK Singles Chart
2005 "So Seductive" (feat. 50 Cent) #48 #7 #12 #28 Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
2005 "Curious" (feat. Joe) #87 #85 - - Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
2005 "Pimpin" - #66 - - Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
2005 "I Know You Don't Love Me" (feat. 50 Cent, Young Buck, & Lloyd Banks) - #8 - #75 Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
2005 "Drama Setter" (feat. Eminem & Obie Trice) - - - - Thoughts of a Predicate Felon

Featured songs/other songs

List is not complete

External links

 

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