By this time most of you have read about what happened to rapper Yung Berg in Los Angeles last weekend? Apparently the media is reporting that the Chi-Town artist was robbed for his chain – again! – and was pistol-whipped by several assailants while at a house party, which begs the question,
“Why was he at a house party!?” – I digress.
First things first, I never promote violence and always pray that the victims of violent crimes recover from their injuries. However, in the dog eat dog world that is rap music, a consecutive string of chain snatchings, back smacks and gun butts doesn’t do much to shape an artist’s public image.
Now let’s be real, the problem isn’t that the Yung one aka Berg has been robbed (repeatedly); I mean people get robbed everyday and it can be traumatic for some. And trust and believe – there’s nothing wrong with choosing your life over material possessions. PSA out of the way, the problem is Berg’s bravado persona, a persona that he doesn’t seem to fit or have the ability to back up.
His brash attitude has rubbed people the wrong way starting with his “I don’t like dark butts” comment that caused a backlash from black women – do real women who know they can walk any street in America and stay safer than a Berg really care what kind of “butts” he likes? – but I’m digressing.
In more serious incidents, Berg was beaten down and robbed for his Transformer chain at Detroit rapper Trick Trick’s Plan B Nightclub because he dissed the city’s rappers, and was also slapped by Maino during an altercation in an Atlanta club – and now this.
Yung Berg’s inability to back up his tough guy demeanor has made him the butt – major pun intended – of all jokes in Hip Hop circles. So in putting on my publicist hat, I ask, how, if possible, can Yung Berg’s public image be reconstructed? Though not an easy job, your girl has some ideas on how to help rebuild Berg’s image.
- First off, Berg needs to drop the tough guy role – it hasn’t worked to his advantage. Understand that you are your best representative, so show strength and pride in who you are and hopefully others will accept it.
- Do the Drake on them! By that I mean having Berg associate himself with some more reputable artists in the industry, sort of how Drake aligned himself with Lil Wayne.
- Find that hit single and promote the hell out of it. Nothing helps a comeback out more than a hit – just ask Whitney. SMH!
- Hire security! Berg has put a bulls-eye on his back and people will test him. Security may not save his ass every time but it will deter some people from pulling any stunts.
- And If all else fails, at least make sure all your sh!t is insured so at least if there is injury Berg can spare himself the insult of losing out on mula. (Decent costume jewels can also be very costly).
I’d like to hear your thoughts on what YB can do to salvage his image.
E: contactsaidarie@gmail.com or @saidarie on twitter.
