PeeWee LongWay, a rap star from Atlanta and close friends with Rich Homie Quan, has reportedly been arrested by the FBI. He was taken in along with 100 others cordon in a major federal operation. The crackdown was in association with a large drug traffic scheme involving upwards of $200 million in illegal substances.
Preliminary details of the arrests reveal that the federal authorities have undertaken a highly coordinated operation to dismantle large narcotics networks across different regions.
While some of the information is still forthcoming regarding these charges with Peewee Longway and the others involved, this operation goes to highlight the continuous effort on the part of law enforcement in trying to combat large-scale drug-related crimes. The impacts of such arrests can be profound in the sphere of the arrestees themselves, the greater community, and industry-wide.
LongWay’s arrest comes in light of the growing trend of multiple artists being indicted with RICO charges, which are serious if convicted. This has made many point out the growing legal squeeze on musicians and what that could mean for hip-hop culture. His arrest follows high-profile cases in the hip-hop world, such as Young Thug and Gunna, who were both involved in some pretty serious RICO charges.
PeeWee LongWay, better known as Quincy Williams, has been a well-known figure in the Atlanta rap scenery since he conventionally began his career in the early 2010s. He has managed to create his style and keep his fans entertained with his lyrics. He has been able to work with other artists, including his very close friend Rich Homie Quan. The two had always been good buddies, respectfully looking out for each other. They have done several tracks together, showing how much chemistry the two have. A good example is the song “Longway”; Quan refers to LongWay as his brother.
There was a rumor recently over LongWay’s health that he had gone to the hospital for issues caused by drugs, but he immediately posted a denial on social media of the same, saying that he is healthy. What a good example of circumstances that show how artists struggle: their lives will always be sensationalized by the media.
PeeWee LongWay’s musical journey proves he was determined to go on with it, come hell or high water. He gained popularity by association with Gucci Mane’s 1017 Brick Squad label, giving him immense publicity in music. His mixtapes, especially “The Blue M&M” series, reveal the life experiences and harsh realities of street life that most people can identify themselves with. The musical style, a product of trap beats and wordplay, earned him respect and recognition within the Southern Rap genre.
As the dust settles in the wake of LongWay‘s arrest, fans are left to consider what’s next for the rapper and, by and large, the world of hip-hop. This recent spate of legal issues against artists raises grave questions about the pressures and pitfalls of fame within the music industry.
