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Once a prominent figure in the world of hip-hop podcasts, Daryl "Taxstone" Campbell now faces a devastating fate. Sentenced to 35 years in prison, he is held accountable for his role in a shooting that took place during a T.I. concert at Irving Plaza in New York back in 2016.

The incident unfolded when Taxstone, engaged in a longstanding feud with rapper Troy Ave, found himself face-to-face with his rival in the green room before Troy Ave's performance. In a heated exchange, Taxstone drew a gun and fired shots, tragically ending the life of Ronald "Banga" McPhatter, Troy Ave's loyal bodyguard. Additionally, three others were injured, including Troy Ave himself.

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The prosecution argued that Taxstone purposefully targeted his rival, sparking a chaotic scene that resulted in the loss of life and serious harm to innocent bystanders. Alvin L. Bragg Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, emphasized that gun violence must never be seen as a solution to conflict. The toll of firearms remains shockingly high, and the devastating outcome of that fateful concert night serves as a chilling reminder.

Taxstone's attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, expressed disappointment in the sentence and vowed to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, Troy Ave, who was also implicated in the incident, faced his own legal battles, having been charged with attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

In the aftermath, both Troy Ave and two fans filed lawsuits against Irving Plaza and Live Nation, alleging that these entities failed to provide adequate protection during the event, resulting in further harm to concertgoers.

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Being born on a Caribbean island affords you a certain level of built-in camaraderie and familiarity with your fellow countrymen and women.

We generally have history, food, and dialect as a common ground to fall back on. This manifests itself while even initiating the smallest of conversations, regardless of geographical and economic origins. It's built into your DNA, just as the color of your eyes and the texture of your hair.

If you put 100 random Jamaicans in one room, we will have a general familiarity with each other beyond the spoken word. It's something I've always been very proud of. Two Jamaican's spot each other and the customary head nod and the phrase "Bless Up" usually follow as a show of respect between two strangers.

Fast forward to my experience with life in the US...

This familiarity I speak of amongst countrymen doesn't extend beyond the block or city you grow up in. I spent most of my life in Miami Dade County and we couldn't be any more different from our neighbors to the north in Broward County.

This isn't a bad thing, but it is a thing. Now, imagine that on a national level and add in economic and racial factors and you may pick up what I'm putting down.

This post isn't meant to come up with solutions to my observation, but rather to point out that it exists and we should try and bridge that gap somehow.

Will it ever happen?

Probably not to a degree that is quantifiable where real change is noticeable. The US is far too large for this to ever be a thing but that isn't why I'm speaking on it.

Having that familiarity doesn't end the problems we now face in the US as we emerge from a post-Floyd, Aubery, and Breonna Taylor world. I'm just saying it would be easier if we could all get in a room and agree to disagree on everything except that Bob Marley is life, and that Red Stripe is the best beer ever come into existence.

My brothers, instead of distant strangers, even if only for a few hours.

- Hood Forever Founder -