Parole Board Becomes Censor Board - Rapper Could Be Sent Back To Jail For Lyrical Content

Last year in a Sacramento, CA park a gang flare-up resulted in fatality when local rapper, C-BO, fired shots into the air to allegedly stop the fight. C-BO was convicted of illegal use of a firearm and sentenced to serve 15 months in prison. He is now free on parole but may soon face the other side of the iron bars once again if California prison officials find his lyrics to be controversial. C-BO's new album, "Til my Casket Drops" released on March 10th on Awol Records tells the all too familiar tales of life on the street an depicts the all too REAL dangers of living such a life. For C-BO, telling those tales could land him back to Soledad Prison if his parole board finds that his lyrics "promote gang violence [or] the gang lifestyle" or are "anti-law enforcement" in nature. According to California Corrections Department spokesman Tip Kendell, C-BO's "criminal past excludes him from First Amendment protections."
"The parole agent will have to take a look at that album and make a decision", according to Henry J. Peralta, regional parole administrator of the California Department of Corrections. "If there's enough to make us feel there is a problem, he may be subject to revocation of his parole." C-BO admits to being a former gang member but insists that his music only paints a picture of that former life. "Gang lifestyle exists with or without me or my music. To acknowledge it as a part of our society is not necessarily to promote the lifestyle. I no longer live it, but it is a realistic part of my music and means to earn a living," said C-BO. Henry J. Paralta is abusing his authority by placing this "gag order" on C-BO and makes this fact clear in his written denial for
C-BO's appeal last year: "As a convicted felon on parole, it is in the best interest of the public that you not engage in behavior that promotes gang violence, the gang lifestyle or criminal behavior of violence against law enforcement. A review of your lyrics . . . prior to your commitment to prison [does] reflect the promotion of such behavior." Marcia Morrissey, once successful defender for Snoop Doggy Dogg calls this outrageous, "It really is such a vague condition as to be unenforceable. . . . [The goal of the parole system] is to try to impose conditions that will prevent people from re-offending, both for their sake and the community's. But muzzling this young man . . . saying he can't talk about certain subjects doesn't help him avoid crime." Rock Out Censorship agrees and contends that gangsta rap is one of the best illustrating examples of why one should NOT join gang life! When the music reflects the violent reality of that lifestyle, it can do as much to deter people from choosing that path as authorities claim it promotes the lifestyle. The California Department of Corrections doesn't seem to realize that silencing those who "tell it like it is" will NOT make crime suddenly vanish, but WILL make it worse! This appears to be more of an attack on a form of music than any legitimate interest in preventing future crime. A parole board's responsibility is to help criminals retake a valued place in society, not to dictate what they can or cannot say. One way to make them a viable part of society is to allow them to make a living. An asanine decision such as this would take that inherent right away from this man. Some good news, however! On March 8, 1998, California prison officials dropped the most serious parole violation charge of expressing himself. He still remains jailed for traveling over 50 miles outside of Sacramento city limits. Please contact the officials at The California Department of Corrections and tell them that any further attempts to ignore the First Amendment will not be tolerated and that free speech is the right of EVERYONE!

C-BO Arrested For Lyrics
(3/5/98) - Rapper a.k.a. Shawn Thomas, was arrested Tuesday, March 3rd and held without bail while the State Board Of Prison Terms considers whether he has violated parole by reciting violent lyrics on his new album. Thomas is charged with threatening public officials, promoting violence against public officials, promoting a gang lifestyle, criminal behavior and violence against law enforcement. Punishment ranges from admonishment to a year in jail. In the song "Deadly Game" from the record, Till My Casket Drops--due out March 10th from Virgin-distributed Noo Trybe/ AWOL Records--Thomas
raps: "When they try to pull you over, shoot 'em in the face, y'all." Other lyrics threaten the Sacramento County district attorney, the Sacramento sheriff, a police officer and a county probation officer, State Department of Corrections spokesman Tip Kendall said. Thomas was convicted of illegal use of a firearm in a gang shooting that led to one man's death. He was paroled once, arrested on a violation, reincarcerated, then paroled again last year on condition he do nothing to promote a gang lifestyle. Thomas's attorney, John Duree, said the new arrest violates Thomas's right to free speech. But Kendall said Thomas' criminal past excludes him from First Amendment protection. The California Department Of Corrections warned Thomas that if he issued an album which "promotes the gang lifestyle, criminal behavior and/ or violence against law enforcement," he would violate his parole and be sent back to prison. In its parole memo, the Department Of Corrections said any gangsta rapping would promote similar behavior, and so invoked its responsibility to "protect the public from any future harm." C-BO can rap about trip-hoppy issues like peace, love and understanding, according to the Parole folks. For his part, C-BO was dissatisfied. "I have no problem with not participating personally in gang activity," he said in his parole appeal. "I have ceased to do so. I have no problem with not advocating violence against law enforcement. I do have a problem with the parole department rewriting lyrics at their discretion. Literally anything I do could be construed as 'promoting the gang lifestyle.'"

C-BO Charges Dropped
California prison officials have decided to drop the most serious parole violation charge against gangsta rapper days after jailing him over the anti-police lyrics on his new album. The rap artist, whose real name is Shawn Thomas, will remain jailed for lesser parole violations, the state Board Of Prisons decided Friday. With work-time credits, his release is expected March 18th. His album release is scheduled for March 10th. As part of his June parole from Soledad Prison, Thomas, 26, was banned from activities promoting gang lifestyle or anti-law enforcement sentiments. Earlier this week, parole officials concluded the new album, Til My Casket Drops, violated that with anti-police lyrics like: "So when they try to pull you over, shoot 'em in the face, y'all." After his arrest March 3rd, C-BO's case quickly became a free-speech controversy. Although officials backed down on the most serious charge, they said the same parole restrictions apply, including a new condition Thomas agreed to that ensures he would be incarcerated again if he engaged in gang activities. Thomas served 15 months at Soledad for illegal firearms use, a charge stemming from the accidental killing of a man struck by a bullet Thomas fired into the air during a gang conflict. He could have been ordered back into prison for a year on the parole violation. He'll remain jailed briefly for lesser violations, like traveling beyond 50 miles without approval of his parole officer.

The Trials of C-Bo
Here is a collection of "official" press missives, courtesy of our official correspondent on the rapper C-Bo, who was recently released from jail following a probation violation arrest. Prosecutors has suggested that lyrics on C-Bo's latest rap opus promoted threats and violence against law enforcement officials, in violation of C-Bo's probation on a previous firearms conviction. From Associated Press

Rapper Jailed for Album Lyrics
SACRAMENTO, California -- A rap artist convicted on firearms charges in a 1994 shooting is back in jail because authorities say anti-police lyrics on
his latest album violate conditions of his parole. Shawn Thomas, who records under the name C-Bo, was arrested Tuesday and held without bail while the
state Board of Prison Terms considers the case. Punishment ranges from admonishment to a year in jail. He is charged with threatening public officials, promoting violence against public officials, promoting a gang lifestyle, criminal behavior and violence against law enforcement. In the song "Deadly Game" from the record, "Til My Casket Drops" -due out next week from AWOL Records -Thomas raps: "When they try to pull you over, shoot 'em in the face, y'all." Other lyrics threaten the Sacramento County district attorney, the Sacramento sheriff, a police officer and a county probation officer, state Department of Corrections spokesman Tip Kendall said. Thomas was convicted of illegal use of a firearm in a gang shooting that led to one man's death. He was paroled once, arrested on a violation, reincarcerated, then paroled again last year on condition he do nothing to promote a gang lifestyle. Thomas' attorney, John Duree, said the new arrest violates Thomas' right to free speech. But Kendall said Thomas' criminal past excludes him from First Amendment protection.

3/5/98

Reports are that jailed rapper C-Bo violated his parole agreement by traveling more than 50 miles from Sacremento and by failing to veto his album and recording contract. His album "Til My Casket Drops," originally due out next week, was available to police who listened to it and transcribed the lyrics. California Corrections Department spokesman Tip Kendell said: "On the face of it, the album promotes a gang lifestyle, promotes criminal behavior and promotes violence against law enforcement." Responding to reports that a new C-Bo song entitled "Deadly Game" includes the lyric, "When they try to pull you over/shoot 'em in the face ya'll," C-Bo's lawyer, John Duree, says: "The condition on its face of promoting gang activity is one thing but the interprestation by the parole authority that he can't sing his songs is another." Duree calls the arrest illegal: "It seems that this is constitutionally protected speech. This is the kind of fear that has always motivated censorship." Duree said that federal courts have ruled against attempts to stifle speech by parole authorities. And "I don't know what their thinking is. C-Bo did not associate with any criminals or gang members; he recorded a song. I assume that the parole authorities have such a disrepect for C-Bo's audience that somehow they think that they will listen to his music and go out and commit crimes." Duree plans to file a lawsuit within the next two days. A hearing on the case will be scheduled before the Board of Prison Terms within 45 days.

3/8/98

SACRAMENTO, California
California prison officials dropped the most serious parole violation charge against gangsta rapper C-Bo days after jailing him over the antipolice lyrics on his new album. The rap artist, whose real name is Shawn Thomas, will remain jailed for lesser parole violations, the state Board of Prisons decided Friday. With work-time credits, his release is expected March 18. As part of his June parole from Soledad Prison, Thomas, 26, was banned from
activities promoting gang lifestyle or anti-law enforcement sentiments. Last week, parole officials concluded the new album, "'Til My Casket Drops,"
violated that with antipolice lyrics like: "So when they try to pull you over, shoot 'em in the face, ya'll." After his arrest Tuesday, Thomas' case quickly became a free-speech controversy. Although officials backed down on the most serious charge, they said the same parole restrictions apply, including a new condition Thomas agreed to that ensures he would be incarcerated again if he engages in gang activities. Thomas served 15 months at Soledad for illegal firearms use, a charge stemming from the accidental killing of a man struck by a bullet Thomas fired into the air during a gang conflict. He could have been ordered back into prison for a year on the parole violation.

Minutes for November 16, 1998

Beat 22X Dimond Park Subcommittee Attendance: Traci Corcran- OPD, Keona Savage- Ranger, Tim Chapman, Meg Bowerman, Elaine Danforth-lenview
NCPC , Matthias Grabiak- Glenview NCPC, Niccolo Deluca Council Aide-, Jim Hill, Mark Zinns- Park Director, Karen Schroeder-DIA, Luqman- ommunity Activist. Meeting called to order 7:15 at Dimond Library 3565 Fruitvale.
The group would like Tony Acosta to attended the next meeting which is scheduled for December 9th at 7:30 , Dimond Library. Nicclo began the meeting informing the group of the Public Safety Council meeting December 15th at 3:00pm at City Hall Hearing room #2. This meeting will be dealing with the proposed Park Permit process. He encouraged the community to come to raise issues to the Public Safety Council. Jim Hill asked Niccolo to et the group on the agenda rather than having the group show up to report on open forum. Niccolo promised to look into the option of the group getting on the agenda. Meg Bowerman indicated that she could not take responsibility of being chair of Dimond Park Sub committee, but would be happy to be phone tree organizer. Traci Corcran-OPD asked if anyone in the room would be interested in the position of chair, it was suggested by Mark Zinns that someone should contact Malcolm Higdon and ask him if he would consider the role. Traci Corcran indicated that she would contact Malcolm and ask for his participation. Jim Hill informed the group that OPD has not begun the process of suing AWOL records, for the destruction to the neighborhood June 27th, and that AWOL records did not put correct information on the permit and is unable to be found at this time. The group began to discuss what they felt were the main issues in Dimond Park. Alcohol in the park has been a consistent problem. The group wanted to know how it could enforce 0 tolerance for drinking in Dimond Park. The group also expressed concern for hot coal receptacles, and a path that would allow for owners to walk dogs through Dimond park without getting ticketed. There was an overall concern for tension surrounding diversity in the park and how to deal with it as well as improving the lighting in the park. Keona Savage reported on the overall condition of the park. She explained that staffing for the rangers is at an all time low. 8 rangers to police 100 parks in Oakland. She also stated that during the day there are usually 2-4 ranges on duty while in the evening usually 2. Enforcement of the 0 tolerance alcohol rule was enforced but unfortunately there weren't enough rangers to just sit in the park and ensure that the rule was followed continually. Tim Chapman suggested that we eliminate rules that don't make much sense and push harder to enforce the rules that are most important and sensible. Tim also suggested that one of the number one goals the group should advocate for is more staffing. Mark Zinns spoke in detail about the Permit process and what he would like to see happen. He indicated he was open to suggestions. He explained to the group the dynamics of the Park and how it was a very "positive" thing to have large groups in the park on the weekends. Stating it makes the park a nice place to be. He explained reconfiguring the picnic areas would only invite smaller, negative influences into the park. Currently the areas are mostly used by church groups and large family gatherings who have responsibly used the park for years. The group began to brainstorm on more positive ways to use the park, suggesting that perhaps the group should host a "Diversity Celebration" in the summer time. Allowing youth and residents an opportunity to see how much we appreciate the park and how it should be utilized and enjoyed by all. It was also suggested that the group host a Greek step show to entice neighborhood teens into the celebration. It was indicated by Keona Savage that some police officers are involved in Greek fraternities and may be able to help with this portion of the celebration. Tim Chapman volunteered to produce a leaflet indicating the importance for attendance at the Public Safety Council meeting , December 15th. Meg Bowerman indicated that she would help him distribute the leaflets. Traci Corcran was asked if she could contact all NCPC`s that were neighboring parks and ask for their participation to form a coalition of residents that live near parks.

In C-Bo news

RICHIE RICH ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
TURNS INTO A RIOT where the bo is involved

Bay Area rap star Richie Rich made newspaper headlines last week. He apparently just released a collection of songs. I unfortunately haven't heard them yet. However, Rich made the news because of his album release party at Oakland's Diamond Park. According to the newspaper accounts, some one from Richie's record label reserved a picnic area for '50' people. The normally quiet park became host to a crowd of more then 800 kids who not only blocked traffic but also got unruly. It took the police more then 6 hours to disperse the crowd who at one point threw rocks and bottles at the cops and then looted the local Safeway supermarket. The local MEDIA described a chaotic scene with rap music as the culprit. A conversation with Oakland Police noted that the album release was thrown by AWOL Records which has been home to controversial rap star C-Bo. For those who don't know C-Bo is the guy who went to jail for recording a 'gangsta' rap album in violation of his parole. With all that information at hand, the question becomes how did Richie Rich a Def Jam
recording artists wind up be the center of an album release party thrown by AWOL records. According to people within Richie's camp, the rap star wasn't even in town during this event. Well keep you posted as we attempt to get to the bottom of this...

Trials of Bo
California "gangsta" rap artist has been jailed after police complained that the lyrics on his new album "promote the gang lifestyle and are anti-law enforcement," officials said Wednesday. Shawn Thomas, who performs as "C-BO", was taken to Sacramento County jail on Tuesday on charges of violating a parole agreement under which he agreed not to espouse criminal behavior, said Tip Kindel, spokesman for the California Department of Corrections. "Our officers went out and got an album, listened to it and transcribed the lyrics," Kindel said. "On the face of it, the album promotes a gang lifestyle, promotes criminal behavior and promotes violence against law enforcement. These were all clearly violations of his parole agreement." 'Insensitivity to First Amendment freedoms' Thomas was also cited for traveling more than 50 miles from Sacramento without permission and failure to comply with a parole officer's request to vet his album and recording contract. A hearing at the State Board of Prison Terms will be set within 45 days.
The rapper's lawyer, John Duree, said he was shocked by the arrest and planned immediately to ask a judge to have the rap artist freed. "I'm shocked that in this day and age a state agency would demonstrate that degree of insensitivity to First Amendment freedoms," Duree said. The album, "'Til My Casket Drops", is expected to be released next week by AWOL Records, a Sacramento-based company. 'Shoot 'em in the face, y'all' Police say one song on the album explicitly suggests that a sheriff's department spokesman be shot and another attacks Gov. Pete Wilson for his support of California's hard-line "three strikes" law on mandatory prison terms. "It's a deadly game of baseball, so when they try to pull you over, shoot 'em in the face, y'all," Thomas raps in the song "Deadly Game". Thomas was convicted for illegal use of a firearm in a 1994 incident in which a gun he was holding discharged and killed a man. He was paroled in July after serving 15 months at Soledad State Prison. Kindel said that there was ample precedent for restricting the
rapper's free speech rights, and that similar conditions were frequently set on people paroled after gang-related convictions. Duree said Thomas had already sought to have his parole conditions amended and planned to fight all the way.

Conclusion

Rap artist convicted on firearms charges in a 1994 shooting is back in jail because authorities say anti-police lyrics on his latest album violate conditions of his parole. Shawn Thomas, who records under the name C-Bo, was arrested Tuesday and held without bail while the state Board of Prison Terms considers the case. Punishment ranges from admonishment to a year in jail. He is charged with threatening public officials, promoting violence
against public officials, promoting a gang lifestyle, criminal behavior and violence against law enforcement. In the song ''Deadly Game'' from the record, ''Til My Casket Drops'' ­ due out next week from AWOL Records ­ Thomas raps: ''When they try to pull you over, shoot 'em in the face, y'all.'' Other lyrics threaten the Sacramento County district attorney, the Sacramento sheriff, a police officer and a county probation officer, state Department of Corrections spokesman Tip Kendall said. Thomas was convicted of illegal use of a firearm in a gang shooting that led to one man's death. He was paroled once, arrested on a violation, reincarcerated, then paroled again last year on condition he do nothing to promote a gang lifestyle. Thomas' attorney, John Duree, said the new arrest violates Thomas' right to free speech. But Kendall said Thomas' criminal past excludes him from First Amendment protection.