In the still-unfolding saga of Offset's arrest for weapons and marijuana possession, there has been a new development. Offset's lawyer, Drew Findling, who claimed earlier today that Offset should not have been arrested, saying that "this was an improper arrest and I believe in his innocence."
The weapons that Offset was supposedly in possession of were, according to new statements by Findling, actually in the possession of Offset's bodyguard, Senay Gezahgn, who is licensed to carry them to protect Offset, a target for robbery because of his expensive jewellery and designer clothes.
Not only does Findling claim that the weapons charges are incorrect, but also that the pretext for pulling Offset over, a traffic violation, was simply a tactic to get the rapper in jail. Or, in stronger language, a racist act of profiling. "It's a common theme," Findling said, "we're talking about a young, African-American man driving a shiny, beautiful luxury car and clad in designer clothes and watches and jewelry."
Now, obviously this is nothing new in rap music. There have been lyrics about this from people like Kanye ("even if you in a Benz you still a n***a"), Jay Z ("cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low?") and even A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie ("police pull me over they ain't got nothin to say, aye"), and many have been arrested for similarly dubious offenses, like Lil Wayne or Meek Mill.
Findling continued to speak out, saying of hip-hop: "unfortunately people in his genre become a target for law enforcement who think that lifestyle is connected to some illegal activity ... and that is a sad statement."
Offset was released on bail earlier today.
