Rapper Scarface was arrested after being handed the "I am Hip-Hop" honor at the 2015 BET Hip-Hop Award in Atlanta, Ga, because of his failure to pay child support. He was brought to Fulton County Jail.
The 44-year-old rapper traveled from Houston to Atlanta to receive the award despite reports that he had a warrant and is not suppose to leave the state. He risked everything so he will not disappoint his fans. He wanted to personally thank them and express his gratitude for hip-hop. But what would have been a night of celebration and appreciation turned out to be a night of shocker. Ten sheriffs were waiting for him to leave the stage so he can be arrested. The host of the event, Snoop Dogg, witnessed the incident. He felt saddened that the "great moment ended on a sour note."
The rap legend spent time in jail for the same issue in the past. Five years ago, he was behind bars in Texas due to four separate cases of unpaid child support. He owed more than $123,000 before. It was not clear today how much he has to settle.
Scarface, whose real name is Brad Jordan, released a dozen of solo albums with hit singles "I Seen a Man Die," "My Block" and "Smile." He was a former member of the 1986 Geto Boys, a rap group from Houston. Its single "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" was a big hit. As leader of Def Jam South, he opened a lot of opportunities to budding southern hip-hop artists. He also helped Christopher "Ludacris" Bridges, an Atlanta rapper, gain access to the industry.
Other recipients of the "I am Hip-Hop" award include MC Lyte, KRS-One, Doug E. Fresh, Salt-N-Pepa, Grandmaster Flash, Rakim, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, and Ice Cube.
The 2015 BET Hip-Hop Awards was held at the Atlanta Civic Center and will be shown on Oct. 13, 8pm ET.
