The “Free Larry Hoover” benefit concert took place December 9th in Los Angeles with Kanye West and Drake as headliners. Honestly, a truce never looked as good as it does with these two chart-toppers.
It’s only been a couple of weeks since the two made amends. Now their recent collaboration on the Free Larry Hoover benefit is being heralded as epic. That is not unexpected given the notoriety of both performers and the level of expectancy before the concert.
Nothing but praise and gratitude fell from the lips of the head of Amazon Studios before the event,
“We’re extremely proud to be working with Kanye and Drake on this historic concert in support of a cause they are both so passionate about, and to collaborate across Amazon for this epic entertainment event,”
Jennifer Salke said in a press release.
Surely they didn’t disappoint.
The Inspiration Behind the Free Larry Hover Benefit
Larry Hoover, a prisoner with a long-standing entanglement with the justice system, is the inspiration. The cause is rooted in a “Free Larry Hoover,” movement. According to PageSix, before the benefit, Hoover’s son, Larry Hoover Jr., confirmed on the “Murder Master Music Show” that West and Drake were planning a concert to help free his father.
In the words of Larry Hoover Jr.
“December the 9th you’ll see them together and we going to all advocate for freeing Larry Hoover…”
As we know that concert took place this week.
Not Everyone was on Board with Kanye’s Choice
While Ye used Hoover as the central figure for his prison reformation cause, not everyone was on board. Safer, former US assistant attorney of Chicago, continues to scratch his head over Ye’s choice. Safer said in a statement.
“It’s bewildering. I think if we put our heads together for five minutes, we could come up with one thousand-maybe more causes that are more worthy of devoting this kind of resources to.”‘
Is he right? Well, maybe, but is that relevant here?
And whether he is correct or not, the event continued as planned.
What did Hoover do, and why did Kanye Choose Him?
Many sources note Larry Hoover has a bloody history as a gangster rivaling the likes of Al Capone. And that is huge. In fact, Judge Harry Leinenweber seems to echo those sentiments in a recent statement,
“Hoover has not shown any regret for the deaths he caused or show remorse for the countless drugs he put on the street, the addictions he perpetuated, and the resulting deaths of others’ wives, children, and grandchildren throughout the state of Illinois and beyond.”
So why choose Hoover as the centerpiece of a prison reform benefit.?
There are Always Two Sides to A Story
Hoover is contending he is a changed man, and according to a source, Hoover attempted to renounce his long Chicago gang ties, saying that the GDs as the criminal group is known, actually stands for “Growth and Development” and not Gangster Disciples.”
Perhaps the issue is not merely what Hoover has done but the conditions under which he is held.
According to Yahoo News, Justin Moore Hoover’s attorney had this to say on behalf of his client,
“How do we explain to the court the oppressive conditions he’s in, are prisons used to rehabilitate inmates or in a punitive fashion?
That is a good question?
Beyond this reasoning, on the real, who can honestly determine the motives behind Kanye’s moves.
What We Know of Kanye’s Choice
All we know, according to ‘Jesus Walks,‘ performer his benefit arises out of a need to reexamine conditions under which the justice system holds inmates. Inarguably, this issue raises a critical point of contention and is in dire need of an overhaul. He felt Hoover would be an appropriate choice to make that stance. ‘The God’s Plan’ artist stamped his approval with his participation in this historic collaboration.
Ye and Drake’s “Free Larry Hoover” Benefit a Concert to Remember
The benefit concert is said to have been an event to remember, with both award-winning artists performing some fan favorites. Ye came with hits “Flashing Lights,” “Stronger,” “Touch the Sky,” and of course “Jesus Walks!” While Drake came with “Wants and Needs,” “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” and “God’s Plan.” Reportedly the show concluded with “Forever,” made famous by Drake, Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Eminem. But, of course, that’s only a snippet of the live event.
So, it appears that Kanye’s hopes that others pick up what he and Drake put down in support of the cause were well-received proving undoubtedly, he was spot on when he said,
“This event will not nnly bring awareness to our cause but prove to people everywhere how much more we can accomplish when we lay our pride aside and come together.”
Assuredly there is power in unity. Last night Kanye and Drake showed the world how you get something done.
Where to See the Larry Hoover Benefit
The concert is reportedly globally streaming on multiple platforms for those who couldn’t attend. A special IMAX showing of the benefit will follow.
Interested in some insight on how Kanye and Drake put an end to their beef, check out FM Hip Hop’s retrospective article.
Be sure to like and follow FMHipHop on Instagram and Facebook!
Written by Renae Richardson
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