It was supposed to be a big night for Red Rum. The RVA rapper, who has been signed to DJ Khaled’s We The Best Music Group since 2009 (if this video is any indication), scored an opening slot for the finally-free Louisiana rapper Lil Boosie at the Richmond Coliseum last night. But the triumph was soured by the way it ended–as Red Rum exited the stage, he was arrested.
It was supposed to be a big night for Red Rum. The RVA rapper, who has been signed to DJ Khaled’s We The Best Music Group since 2009 (if this video is any indication), scored an opening slot for the finally-free Louisiana rapper Lil Boosie at the Richmond Coliseum last night. But the triumph was soured by the way it ended–as Red Rum exited the stage, he was arrested.
According to WTVR, Red Rum, whose real name is Edward Anthony Anderson, was arrested on charges of failing to pay child support. He’s currently being held in Henrico, and will go before a judge today to face a $16,000 bond.
We here at RVA Mag have been keeping close track of the local hip hop scene for years now, but this is the biggest news we’ve heard about Red Rum in a while. If he’s really been on We The Best Music Group, which is partnered with Cash Money Records and distributed by Republic Records (a division of Universal Music Group) for five years, then you have to wonder why he hasn’t achieved the recognition of Ace Hood or DJ Khaled himself–the only artists We The Best have actually done any releases for (despite having several others signed for lengthy periods of time).
Could Red Rum be trapped in development hell? It’s a common pitfall of signing to labels, especially for the dreaded development deals. Even major stars often have albums delayed for years or shelved entirely if the labels lose confidence in the work (or their own finances)–ask Jay Electronica about that one. Better yet, ask 50 Cent when Animal Ambition is coming out. Maybe wear a bulletproof vest when you bring it up, though.
Perhaps Red Rum has been waiting on his ship to come in before getting right with his legal obligations. You can see why someone might think this is a workable idea, but it’s the kind of thing that rarely pays off. For his sake, we hope Red Rum can stay free long enough to make some money and take care of his debts. But if the unthinkable happens, jail time isn’t necessarily a career-ender in hip hop. Just ask Lil Boosie.
Red Rum’s most recent mixtape is No Recognition Needed–check it out here. Watch the video for his recent single “MyBlock,” directed by Monsee, below:
