LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Tsu-Surf attends The Ultimate Rap League App Event at Private Residence on October 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Legendary batter rapper and accused gangbanger Tsu Surf has pleaded not guilty to RICO charges after being taken into police custody earlier this month over his alleged involvement in a series of crimes dating back several year, while friend Joe Budden has come to his defense.
The 32-year-old was not present in court on Thursday when he entered the plea via teleconference in U.S. District Court in Newark, according to Fox5NY reporter Lisa Evers.
Rahjon Cox – the rapper’s government name – remains in custody at the Essex County Jail. AllHipHop reports that the New Jersey-born artist shared a tweet of his from before his October 13 arrest.
“I seen Monsters before,” it read. “Free me.”
Federal prosecutors accuse Tsu Surf of being an active member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips set known as the Silverbacc Gorillas (SBG).
The men included in the RICO indictment stand accused of everything from murder to moving drugs, theft and robbery, all of which date back to 2015.
Fellow rapper-turned-podcast host Joe Budden has since spoke out about Surf’s situations on a recent episode of his self-titled show, and came to the defense of the embattled artist.
“At some point, we’re going to have to address Surf. Free Surf until they say it backwards,” the host said.
Budden went on to say that he didn’t get to speak to Surf before his arrest, but that “I love him of course. I support him,” before adding he would take care of his mother and family if need be.
“I don’t know how bad it is, how severe it is. Unfortunately, I did not get to speak to Surf right before he left, but I love him of course, I support him. Anything that he, his mom, his family needs from me, I’m there. He already know, that just goes unsaid for me,” Budden added.
According to the website Verse Tracker, the legendary battle rapper participated in 23 recorded battle rap competitions, as well as having nearly 52 million views total and an average of 2.3 million views on the battle rap directory.
His most famous rap battles were against Geech Gotti, which garnered 4.1 million views, T-Top, which managed 3.7 million views, and and Rum Nitty with 2.1 million views, amongst others.
The artist has also put out several mixtapes to his name, however his music career is likely on hold as he works to sort out these legal troubles.
What do you think, Roomies? Is it “free Surf” ’til it’s backwards like Joe Sudden says, or is he where he belongs?
