Askari

My pen name is ASKARI, but I’m known throughout the city of Philadelphia as S-CLASS. Prior to writing books, I was one of the hottest rappers in the city. This was in the early 2000’ s before social media, but I still had a strong buzz, blazing mixtapes and rocking clubs from Jersey to New York City.

In October 2001, my homie, Peedi Crack, was signed to Rocafella Records, and like the real nigga he is, he took our crew along for the ride. Our sole mission was to lock down the rap game and get our families out of the hood. Unfortunately, in February 2003, just as my career was beginning to take off, I was arrested and charged for a murder that I absolutely did not commit. Aside from the fact there was no physical evidence linking me to this crime. (No Gun. No Fingerprints. No DNA. No video surveillance. Nothing!) Immediately after the crime, the shooter was described as a DARK-SKINNED BLACK MAN WITH A SUNNI MUSLIM BEARD. As you can see from my pictures, I’m light brown-skinned and at the time I had a baby’s face.

When I was kidnapped by the system, I had just turned 20 years old, a father of three beautiful children, I was working two jobs and busting my ass in the studio, primed to be the next Jay Z. I didn’t have a criminal record and in my spare time, I was working with the youth in my community as a coach on our little league’s football team. At my trial, the district attorney’s case relied exclusively on one eyewitness. This witness was a convicted felon and serving time for an unrelated matter. (He admitted the district attorney gave him a deal to testify against me.) He testified that at the time of this incident, he was a fugitive of justice, standing on the corner selling crack cocaine. He admitted that he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs and he only had a partial view of the shooter’s face because the shooter was wearing a hoody and because the scene was not well lit.

He also testified that another individual TOLD him that I was the shooter. SMH!!! Typical jealousy and hate!!! In the end, after a TWO DAY TRIAL, I was convicted of first degree murder and given a life sentence. SMFH!!!! I was crushed to say the least. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t understand How the f*ck could I be convicted of some shit that I never even did? Excuse my language, but I’m angry as hell!!! In the midst of the bullshit, I knew that I had to remain focused. I knew that I had to maintain and work hard to prove my innocence, while at the same time conduct myself as a man, standing firm on the principles that my mother and father taught me as a child. I have not waivered and I never will. I shall and must continue to fight for my freedom, that just my nature.

You know, it’s funny to me, thinking about this book game. I thought that I’d be triple platinum by now, captivating audiences with my creativity and word play. I guess I still am, but instead of a microphone, I’m using a pen. Still focused on using my creativity to open the doors that confine me. Whether they be the doors that kept a young nigga locked in the hood, or the doors that kept a young nigga locked behind bars. Either way, I will be free!

To my family and friends, fans and supporters, I love y’all from the bottom of my heart. Words could never express my gratitude.

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