Marvin Bernard (born on March 31, 1979),[2] better known by his stage
name Tony Yayo, is a Haitian-American rapper and member of the
hip hop group G-Unit. Tony Yayo was brought up in South Jamaica,
Queens, and was longtime friends with 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks.
He is signed to 50 Cent's record label G-Unit Records and recently
signed a deal with EMI which will release his second untitled album.
He is also running his own label G-Unit Philly.
He is of Haitian descent and is taking part in the aid to the Haitian
people since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Yayo has worked with different
charities and events in support of the relief efforts.
G-Unit boss 50 Cent was granted his own record label, "G-Unit
Records" by Interscope after releasing his debut album Get Rich
or Die Tryin'. Soon after the group had established their own record
label, G-Unit Records, G-Unit released their first official group
album Beg for Mercy in November 2003, which went on to be certified
2x Platinum in the United States.[4][5] The album was released whilst
Tony Yayo was in prison serving time, but Yayo still featured on
the album. The second G-Unit album T.O.S: Terminate on Sight was
released in July, 2008 and went on to sell 102,000 copies in the
first week.[6]
[edit] Solo career
Though his appearances on mixtapes announced his return on the street
level, it was not until the release of "So Seductive" that
his return received wide recognition. In August 2005, Tony Yayo released
his debut, Thoughts of a Predicate Felon.[7]
Tony Yayo has confirmed that work is in progress for his second
studio album.[8] No official name for the album has been decided
yet. The first single off the album is "Pass the Patron",
and it features 50 Cent. The album will be released with G-Unit Records
/ EMI who will both promote and distribute the album. On March 2nd,
2011 Yayo released the second single of off his upcoming album called, "Haters".
The song featured Shawty Lo, 50 Cent, & Rosco Dash. The single
was released onto Thisis50.com.
[edit] Labels
In 2003 Tony Yayo was signed to Interscope Records, where he released
his debut album Thoughts of a Predicate Felon. In 2009, he was later
dropped from Interscope Records. After being dropped by Interscope
Records it was announced EMI Label Services has signed a deal with
50 Cent’s label, G-Unit Records, in which EMI will distribute
and promote releases on the G-Unit roster in North America including
Tony Yayo's untitled second album. Lloyd Banks announced this on
Friday, August 13, 2010 on MTV News.
[edit] Legal issues
Tony Yayo performing at Villanova Hoops Mania in 2005.
[edit] Felony jail time
Along with 50 Cent, Yayo was arrested on December 31, 2002 for weapons
possession. When police discovered that Yayo had an outstanding warrant
for a previous such charge, Yayo was sentenced for bail jumping and
spent all of 2003 in prison.[2] Yayo served time in the Lakeview
Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility and was paroled on January
8, 2004.[9] The next day, he was arrested for possessing a forged
passport and served time in federal prison until May 25, 2004.[10]
When Yayo was incarcerated, G-Unit began a campaign called "Free
Yayo".[11]
[edit] Assault charge
On March 24, 2007, Tony Yayo was arrested for allegedly assaulting
the 14 year-old son of The Game's manager, Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond.
Tony Yayo and 50 Cent were accused of approaching the child, with
members of their entourage, and pushing him against a nearby wall.
This was when Tony Yayo reportedly slapped the boy several times
and said "Fuck Czar Entertainment". Tony Yayo has pleaded "not
guilty" and 50 Cent has since proven his innocence with video
footage showing him at his Connecticut mansion at the time of the
alleged incident.[12]
Tony Yayo made his first court appearance on the morning of April
25, 2007 in New York. The case was adjourned to July 24. Tony Yayo's
Lawyer has expressed his belief that Yayo is innocent and commented
on the situation in an interview with MTV:
After a thorough investigation, I steadfastly and adamantly state
to you that Tony Yayo did not slap anyone," Leemon said. "I
am hopeful that when [authorities] complete their investigation,
they will come to the same conclusion. Yayo, as a father, understands
the allegations and would never do anything to harm a child.[13]
On April 18, 2007, the house of Tony Yayo’s mother was "sprayed
with bullets". The attack is believed to be in connection with
Tony Yayo’s recent arrest.[14]
On July 24, 2007, Tony Yayo attended a court hearing regarding his
alleged assault. The prosecution offered him a nine-month prison
sentence if he pleaded guilty which he rejected.[15]
Prosecutors dropped the charges in February 2008.[16] The mother
of Rosemond's son sued 50 Cent and Yayo two months later.[17]
[edit] Discography
Main article: Tony Yayo discography
* Thoughts Of A Predicate Felon (2005)
* The Yayo Rampage (2011)