Tony Yayo (born Marvin Bernard on March 31, 1978 in Queens, New York) is an American hip-hop artist of Haitian descent[citation needed]who is signed to the rap group G-Unit.
Tony Yayo | |
|---|---|
G-Unit Rapper Tony Yayo | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Queens, New York |
| Years active | 2005-present (solo) |
Biography
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. 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 brags about 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 and his favorite tradition feuding with other rappers. His signature dance move is rapidly waving his hand in front of his face. The rapper made monikers for his stage name, like Tsunami Yayo or his personal favorite T.O.N.Y. ("Talk Of New York").
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. 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 an MTV award ceremony. 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.
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 gangster. 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 responded by threatening to sabotage 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. The Game now wants to dismantle G-Unit just like his other nemesis The Inc (formally Murder Inc).
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 subpeona the rappers to testify. This on-going controversy surround the street credibility of rappers is determined on the power of not talking to police. The police have suspected that the one of entourage that accompanied Tony Yayo is believed the shooter.
Origin of Name
Tony Yayo made monikers for his stage name, like Tsunami Yayo or his personal favorite T.O.N.Y. Tony means "Talk Of New York" and Yayo (correct spelling 'llello') is a Spanish slang word for cocaine.
Quotes
"You can sniff me, cut me, I'll turn you to a junkie,
I'm the number one seller in the whole fuckin' country
- - taken from [Azlyrics.com]
Discography
Album
- Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (2005) US #2 (Gold)
Mixtapes/Other
- Big Mike: Big Boy Game
- DJ Whoo Kid: G-Unit Radio 11- Tony's Home
- DJ Whoo Kid: G-Unit Radio- 50 Cent & G-Unit International Ballers
- Shade45: House Arrest With Tony Yayo- Radio Show featuring G-Unit and playing the newest singles from artists from G-Unit.
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) | - | #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) | - | - | - | - | Thoughts of a Predicate Felon |
| 2005 | "Drama Setter" (feat. Eminem & Obie Trice) | - | - | - | - | Thoughts of a Predicate Felon |
Featured Songs/Other Songs
- Bonafide Hustler - Young Buck featuring 50 Cent and Tony Yayo
- My Toy Soldier - 50 Cent featuring Tony Yayo
- I Run New York - 50 Cent And Tony Yayo
- Hate It or Love It (G Unit Remix) - 50 Cent featuring Young Buck, Lloyd Banks, The Game And Tony Yayo
- Bump Heads - 50 Cent, Eminem, Lloyd Banks, And Tony Yayo
- Runnin - The Game featuring Tony Yayo
- Like My Style - 50 Cent featuring Tony Yayo
Featured Books
- REDIRECT The Chronicles of Narnia written in 2000.