Tony Yayo
Encyclopedia
Marvin Bernard better known by his stage name
Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit
. Tony Yayo was brought up in South Jamaica, Queens
, and is longtime friends with 50 Cent
and Lloyd Banks
.
He is signed to 50 Cent
's record label G-Unit Records
and recently signed a deal with EMI
which will release his second untitled album. He is CEO to the label G-Unit Philly
.
boss 50 Cent
was granted his own record label, "G-Unit Records
" by Interscope
after releasing his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'
. Soon after the group had established their own record label, G-Unit Records
, G-Unit released their first official group album Beg for Mercy
in November 2003, which went on to be certified 2x Platinum in the United States. The album was released whilst Tony Yayo was in prison serving time, but Yayo still featured on the album. The second G-Unit album T.O.S: Terminate on Sight
was released in July, 2008 and went on to sell 102,000 copies in the first week.
" that his return received wide recognition.
In August 2005, Tony Yayo released his debut, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
.
Tony Yayo has confirmed that work is in progress for his second studio album. No official name for the album has been decided yet. The first single off the album is "Pass the Patron
", and it features 50 Cent. The album will be released with G-Unit Records
/ EMI
who will both promote and distribute the album.
On March 2, 2011 Yayo released the second single of off his upcoming album called, "Haters
". The song features Shawty Lo
, 50 Cent
, & Roscoe Dash
. The single was released onto Thisis50.com after being premiered on Hot 97 by Funkmaster Flex
. The single rapidly started to gain success on the urban radio charts and soon debuted on the Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B chart.
Of Haitian descent, he has taken part in aid to the Haiti
an people after the 2010 Haiti earthquake
. Yayo has worked with different charities and events in support of the relief efforts.
, where he released his debut album Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
. In 2009, he was later dropped from Interscope Records
.
After being dropped by Interscope Records
it was announced EMI
Label Services has signed a deal with 50 Cent
’s label, G-Unit Records
, in which EMI
will distribute and promote releases on the G-Unit
roster in North America including Tony Yayo's untitled second album. Lloyd Banks
announced this on Friday, August 13, 2010 on MTV News
.
and was paroled on January 8, 2004. The next day, he was arrested for possessing a forged passport and served time in federal prison until May 25, 2004. When Yayo was incarcerated, G-Unit and Eminem
began a campaign called "Free Yayo".
mansion at the time of the alleged incident.
Tony Yayo made his first court appearance on the morning of April 25, 2007 in New York. The case was adjourned to July 24. Tony Yayo's Lawyer has expressed his belief that Yayo is innocent and commented on the situation in an interview with MTV:
On April 18, 2007, the house of Tony Yayo’s mother was "sprayed with bullets". The attack is believed to be in connection with Tony Yayo’s recent arrest. Yayo references the attack on the G-Unit song Straight Out of Southside, off T.O.S., the group's second album.
On July 24, 2007, Tony Yayo attended a court hearing regarding his alleged assault. The prosecution offered him a nine-month prison sentence if he pleaded guilty which he rejected.
Prosecutors dropped the charges in February 2008. The mother of Rosemond's son sued 50 Cent and Yayo two months later.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
. Tony Yayo was brought up in South Jamaica, Queens
South Jamaica, Queens
South Jamaica, known colloquially as Southside & Southside Jamaica Queens, is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens, located south of downtown Jamaica, the Long Island Rail Road tracks Jamaica Avenue and Liberty Avenue. The western border is the Van Wyck Expressway, and it...
, and is longtime friends with 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
and Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
.
He is signed to 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
's record label G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
and recently signed a deal with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
which will release his second untitled album. He is CEO to the label G-Unit Philly
G-Unit Philly
G-Unit Records Philly is an independent record label that is a subsidiary of 50 Cent's G-Unit Records. G-Unit artist, Tony Yayo was granted the positions of CEO and President of the label...
.
G-Unit
G-UnitG-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
boss 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
was granted his own record label, "G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
" by Interscope
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
after releasing his debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin'
Get Rich or Die Tryin' (album)
Get Rich or Die Tryin is the debut studio album of American rapper 50 Cent, released February 4, 2003, on Aftermath Entertainment under a joint venture with Shady Records and distribution by Interscope Records. Its initially planned release was pushed seven days ahead due to heavy bootlegging and...
. Soon after the group had established their own record label, G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
, G-Unit released their first official group album Beg for Mercy
Beg for Mercy
Beg for Mercy is the debut album by hip hop group G-Unit, composed of rappers 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck, with support from Tony Yayo. The album was released in November 2003, 10 months after 50 Cent's debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin....
in November 2003, which went on to be certified 2x Platinum in the United States. The album was released whilst Tony Yayo was in prison serving time, but Yayo still featured on the album. The second G-Unit album T.O.S: Terminate on Sight
T.O.S: Terminate on Sight
T.O.S: Terminate on Sight is the second studio album by rap group G-Unit. It was the group's first album in five years since their previous album, Beg for Mercy. The title of the album was originally announced to be Shoot to Kill and then Lock & Load, with the eventual name being Terminate on Sight...
was released in July, 2008 and went on to sell 102,000 copies in the first week.
Solo career
Though his appearances on mixtapes announced his return on the street level, it was not until the release of "So SeductiveSo Seductive
"So Seductive" is the first single from Tony Yayo's 2005 debut album Thoughts of a Predicate Felon.-Background:It features 50 Cent and is considered among fans to be more of a club track compared to the hardcore hip hop that Tony Yayo usually does....
" that his return received wide recognition.
In August 2005, Tony Yayo released his debut, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
Thoughts of a Predicate Felon is the debut album by G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo. The albums sold 214,000 copies in its first week.-Background:The album features the hit single "So Seductive" featuring 50 Cent....
.
Tony Yayo has confirmed that work is in progress for his second studio album. No official name for the album has been decided yet. The first single off the album is "Pass the Patron
Pass the Patron
"Pass the Patron" is the first single from Tony Yayo's second studio album. The song features fellow rapper 50 Cent and was produced by Punch. The song was released as a digital download on May 20, 2010.-Background:...
", and it features 50 Cent. The album will be released with G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
/ EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
who will both promote and distribute the album.
On March 2, 2011 Yayo released the second single of off his upcoming album called, "Haters
Haters (Tony Yayo song)
"Haters" a song by American hip-hop artist Tony Yayo, released as the second official single from his upcoming yet-to-be-titled second studio album. The song features guest appearances fellow rappers 50 Cent, Shawty Lo and Roscoe Dash, and features production from hip-hop producer Scoop DeVille...
". The song features Shawty Lo
Shawty Lo
Carlos Walker , better known by his stage name Shawty Lo, is an American rapper, founder of D4L Records, and member of hip hop group D4L. His first solo album, Units in the City, was released on February 26, 2008...
, 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
, & Roscoe Dash
Roscoe Dash
Jeffery Johnson Jr. , better known by his stage name Roscoe Dash, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia.- Major label success :...
. The single was released onto Thisis50.com after being premiered on Hot 97 by Funkmaster Flex
Funkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
. The single rapidly started to gain success on the urban radio charts and soon debuted on the Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B chart.
Of Haitian descent, he has taken part in aid to the Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
an people after the 2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
. Yayo has worked with different charities and events in support of the relief efforts.
Labels
In 2003 Tony Yayo was signed to Interscope RecordsInterscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
, where he released his debut album Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
Thoughts of a Predicate Felon
Thoughts of a Predicate Felon is the debut album by G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo. The albums sold 214,000 copies in its first week.-Background:The album features the hit single "So Seductive" featuring 50 Cent....
. In 2009, he was later dropped from Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
.
After being dropped by Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
it was announced EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Label Services has signed a deal with 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
’s label, G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
, in which EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
will distribute and promote releases on the G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
roster in North America including Tony Yayo's untitled second album. Lloyd Banks
Lloyd Banks
Christopher Charles Lloyd , better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American rapper and member of the rap group G-Unit. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. in 2008...
announced this on Friday, August 13, 2010 on MTV News
MTV News
MTV News is the news division of MTV, one of the first and most popular music television network in the U.S., as well as some of MTV's related channels around the world. MTV News began in the late 1980s with the program The Week In Rock, hosted by Kurt Loder, the first official MTV News correspondent...
.
Legal issues
Felony jail time
Along with 50 Cent, Yayo was arrested on December 31, 2002 for weapons possession.He had a glock 20 handgun and a colt ar 15 in the trunk of his car. When police discovered that Yayo had an outstanding warrant for a previous such charge, Yayo was sentenced for bail jumping and spent all of 2003 in prison. Yayo served time in the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional FacilityLakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility
Lakeview Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility is a minimum security prison in New York in the USA. The prison is located by the Village of Brocton in Chautauqua County, New York. The facility provides special treatment for non-violent offenders....
and was paroled on January 8, 2004. The next day, he was arrested for possessing a forged passport and served time in federal prison until May 25, 2004. When Yayo was incarcerated, G-Unit and Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
began a campaign called "Free Yayo".
Assault charge
On March 24, 2007, Tony Yayo was arrested for allegedly assaulting the 14 year-old son of The Game's manager, Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond. Tony Yayo and 50 Cent were accused of approaching the child, with members of their entourage, and pushing him against a nearby wall. This was when Tony Yayo reportedly slapped the boy several times and said "Fuck Czar Entertainment". Tony Yayo has pleaded "not guilty" and 50 Cent has since proven his innocence with video footage showing him at his ConnecticutConnecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
mansion at the time of the alleged incident.
Tony Yayo made his first court appearance on the morning of April 25, 2007 in New York. The case was adjourned to July 24. Tony Yayo's Lawyer has expressed his belief that Yayo is innocent and commented on the situation in an interview with MTV:
On April 18, 2007, the house of Tony Yayo’s mother was "sprayed with bullets". The attack is believed to be in connection with Tony Yayo’s recent arrest. Yayo references the attack on the G-Unit song Straight Out of Southside, off T.O.S., the group's second album.
On July 24, 2007, Tony Yayo attended a court hearing regarding his alleged assault. The prosecution offered him a nine-month prison sentence if he pleaded guilty which he rejected.
Prosecutors dropped the charges in February 2008. The mother of Rosemond's son sued 50 Cent and Yayo two months later.
Discography
- Thoughts Of A Predicate FelonThoughts of a Predicate FelonThoughts of a Predicate Felon is the debut album by G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo. The albums sold 214,000 copies in its first week.-Background:The album features the hit single "So Seductive" featuring 50 Cent....
(2005) - Gunpowder Guru (2010)
- Talk Of NY (2011)
Filmography
| Film | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Glory Morning Glory (2010 film) Morning Glory is a 2010 American comedy-drama film directed by Roger Michell, produced by J.J. Abrams and written by Aline Brosh McKenna. It stars Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson and Jeff Goldblum. After some delays, the film was released in the United States on November... |
Himself | 2010 |
| S.W.A.T.: Firefight | Harold Finkle | 2011 |
| "Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff" | Himself | 2009 |