Bronx, NY – C-Rayz Walz was once a prominent fixture in New York’s underground Hip Hop scene but hasn’t been as active in the last couple of years.
According to the New York City Department of Correction, he’s been locked up since December 13, 2019 on charges of felony rape. Inmate records show he’s expected at Bronx Criminal Court on April 15, which will likely be postponed due to the coronavirus. His bail was remanded by the judge.
C-Rayz got a shaky start early in life. Born Waleed Shabazz in 1975, the Bronx native’s father was murdered in a hotel room when he was only 2 years old, something that later became the inspiration for the 2003 song “Protect My Family.”
In an interview with MVREMIX that same year, C-Rayz — who has collaborated with Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, Immortal Technique and Cannibal Ox in the past — explained how his father’s death impacted him.
“I was always socially dysfunctional, as far as not being able to deal with other kids having fathers,” he said. “I was mad jealous my whole life at cats who had fathers. A lot of elders, older black men helped me deal with it. By the time I was 12, I decided to look at it for what it was. I realized and felt that his spirit and energy was with me. His essence was here and I moved on from that.
“I’m saying, I’m still socially dysfunctional. That is why I over compensate with such great lyrics and great performances. That’s why I wish that a lot of cats would stop rhyming like this is some cool shit to do. This shit is not cool to do. People that rhyme are special people. They are not regular in this society.”
Since his 2001 debut The Prelude, C-Rayz has dropped numerous albums, including 2014’s Feel Me with Sallam Said.
Despite C-Rayz’s incarceration, he appears fairly active on Instagram. Earlier this year, he penned a heartbreaking post to his son, writing, “Peace Daddy. Where are You? I Haven’t Seen You since November. You Told Me What Happened, but Where Did You Go? I Need You Daddy. I cannot Live without You. I Need You to Take me to Karate.
“I Need You to Take me to Allah School. I Need You to take Me to the Juice Bar to see Musa. I Need to go to the Polo Mansion with You. I Need You to Patiently Help Me with my Homework. I Need to Play Marvel Dress Up with You. I Need You to Take me to school every Morning and Pick me up everyday.”
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