Tony Yayo
Tony Yayo | |
|---|---|
G-Unit Rapper Tony Yayo | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Queens, New York |
| Years active | 2002 -2003 before being imprisoned, 2004-present (solo) |
Tony Yayo (born Marvin Bernard on March 31, 1968 in Queens, New York) is an American hip-hop artist of Haitian descent, who is signed to the popular rap group G-Unit. He currently lives in Miller Place, New York.
Biography
Tony Yayo aka Marvin Bernard, 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 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") and Yayo (Spanish slang 'llello') 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 J Gee aka Joel Gilbert Outside of G-Unit, Yayo has also recorded with such hip-hop artists as Lil' Flip, Paul Wall, The Game, 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.
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 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.
Discography
Album
- Thoughts of a Predicate Felon (2005) US #2
Mixtapes/Other
- Big : 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
List is not complete
- Live By The Gun - Tony Yayo --- featured on 50 Cent: Bulletproof
- Ain't No Click - Lloyd Banks featuring Tony Yayo
- Bonafide Hustler - Young Buck featuring 50 Cent and Tony Yayo
- We All Die One Day - Obie Trice Feat. Eminem, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and 50 Cent
- My Toy Soldier - 50 Cent featuring Tony Yayo
- I Run New York - 50 Cent featuring 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
- You Already Know - Olivia featuring Tony Yayo
- Move That Thing - Olivia featuring Tony Yayo
- Click Click - Mobb Deep featuring Tony Yayo