By: Cameron Grant
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Many Auburn University at Montgomery students feel that rappers posting on social media can be problematic. Posting on social media can be dangerous for rappers if they share their current public location in the post. Many rappers have posted their location on social media and suffered consequences for the mistake.
Rakim Allen known as rapper PnB Rock passed away on Sept. 12 in South Central Los Angeles. The L.A. County Coroner’s office revealed what the cause of death was for Allen. Allen and his girlfriend Stephanie Sibounheuang were on the way to the airport when they decided to stop at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffle. Allen and Sibounheuang were eating at the place, and Sibounheuang posted her location of where they were eating at. Freddie Lee Trone, his 17-year-old son and 38-year-old Shauntel Trone were all arrested for the murder of PnB Rock. GPS sharing would play the role in how Allen would lose his life.
Allen is another victim of a location being posted on social media losing his life in the process of it. On Sept. 22, 2020, Lomonta Butcher known as rapper Tay Way was killed in Richmond, California after sharing his location. Butcher is another rapper who made a crucial mistake in posting his location on social media only for his life to be taken a couple of minutes later. Butcher would not be the only rapper to lose his life due to accidentally sharing his location. For example, On Feb. 19 Bashar Jackson rapper known as Pop Smoke was also killed in Los Angeles, California from gunshot wounds according to the L.A. county coroner’s office. Jackson made an Instagram post but forgot his location was shared. One tiny mistake led to the horrific loss of an amazing talented Jackson who was taken too early.
Auburn University at Montgomery students added their perspectives about rappers sharing GPS locations. Michael Pritchard, an AUM freshman theatre major, talked about rappers with their location being shared. Pritchard said, “I don’t think it’s a smart decision for rappers to share their location. Your lyrics are just like energy if you rap about negative things then your audience will be attracted to that with the possibility of making them a target.” AUM alumni Alexander Lafrance talked about rappers not having any security with them. Lafrance said, “I don’t understand why rappers don’t have security when they make a lot of money to hire them. The goal is to be safe and make it back home to your family so with PnB Rock’s death opens up people’s eyes to see rappers need to be protected with security or start carrying a weapon legally.”
AUM students also gave their perspectives on Sibounheuang posting their location. Philion said, “It was his girlfriend’s fault because PnB rock probably has enemies who are jealous of his success.” Kianna Tellis gave her opinion on the PnB Rock situation. Tellis said, “It was Allen’s girlfriend’s fault because Allen is in the public eye nobody is supposed to know where your location is as it should be private.” Tellis added, “I believe it was a setup because she knows better than to post their location because PnB Rock wouldn’t post his location.”
While some students feel that way, others feel that Sibounheuang made an honest mistake. AUM student Tiera Staples talked about rappers when it comes to their location being shared. Staples said, “location sharing has a negative impact with no benefit coming from it. Rock’s girlfriend is not to blame for Rock’s death as she didn’t know any better instead of being mad at her Rock’s suspect needs to be accounted for the crime.” Former AUM student Corey Thomas said, “I understand the situation, but blaming Rock’s girlfriend for everything won’t bring him back.” University of West Alabama student Philip Akins said, “Think about his family and daughter that has to see what everyone is saying people should be mindful before they post because his girlfriend can’t control what happened.” Media personality Ashleigh Louise said, “She’s already blaming herself she doesn’t need the entire internet doing the same.” Another student agreed, “I feel so sad for PnB’s girlfriend she will hate herself forever, but everyone is all for mental health though right.”
Why would Sibounheuang put their location on Instagram? Some rappers feel that they don’t need security when they travel around, However, they want to. For example, AUM student Mason Lawrence highlighted how rappers travel around. Lawrence said, “If you look on Netflix you can find “Travis Scott Look Mom, I Can Fly” in the first scene. Scott is getting out of the car and you can see three muscular security with weapons for a twenty-five-foot walk to the studio.” The documentary shows that as a rapper you should have some type of protection with at all times wherever you go. Rappers feel that having security hurts their image of what they are trying to portray to the public. For example, Tabie Germain from Revolt TV talked with rapper OMB Peezy about his opinion on having security. Pezzy said, “I wasn’t sold on the idea of having security it showed signs of weakness.” Shirvan Williams from Urban Islandz wrote about Daniel Hernandez, the rapper known as 69, who gave his opinion on having security. 69 said, “Did King Von not die with his security and police!? Did our former president JFK not die with the secret service all around him? Overall, most AUM students agreed that rappers should not share their GPS location because it could turn tragic like what happened to rappers PnB Rock, Tay Way and Pop Smoke.