ALL STAR 2011 - Ozone Magazine

Jim Brown started called “I Can,” where 50 differentgang members from different hoodsgo around and talk to the kids at juvenile hall.What are some of the positive things TheGang is doing?Te Money: First off, just the fact that we’re togetherand getting along is a positive thing.It starts here. We’ve got a lot of plans. Beforewe started the group, I had a non-profitorganization where we went to the juvenilehall and spoke to the kids and performed forthem. This is something I had been sittingon for years, but I was so focused on Dolla.After he died [after being shot at the BeverlyCenter], I was in a slump. Turtle and Akon andeverybody pulled me to the side like, “Yo, youjust gotta keep moving forward and we’llhelp you.” They stepped in 100%.What was the focus of your non-profitorganization?Te Money: Just telling them to stay positive. Ihonestly feel like your hood makes you whoyou are. Not everybody is fortunate enoughto be from Beverly Hills. I know professionalbasketball players that grew up aroundgangbangin’, and that’s just their friends sothey still hang around ‘em. That ain’t wrong.Your friends are your friends.Have you gotten any flak from your respectivegangs, like, “Why are you affiliated withthese guys”? Or have they been mostlysupportive?Chino: I think every individual is just everyindividual. You just gotta do you. I like toobserve people. I’m tryin’ to do somethingdifferent than what I’ve been doing. I’m notsaying I’m tryin’ to change everything, I amwho I am, but I want to see a different side[of life]. I’ve been fortunate and blessed. TeMoney and Turtle bailed me out of jail. I thinkthis is a serious opportunity, as far as whatwe’re tryin’ to do with the music. If we weren’tdoing this, I might get caught slippin’ by thecops and get locked up. I think we can makethis a bigger movement and do somethingpositive for our people. All my relatives andhomies are in [prison], but they’ve been supportive.You just can’t forget where you camefrom. I’m still in the same position. I’m notout of the hood, but I’m tryin’ to show themanother way we can all get fed.Lefty: As far as my movement, I’ve got brothersand sisters and a son. I don’t want my son68 // OZONE MAG