LA Times Mistakes Dilated Peoples Member As Infamous Graf Artist
Published: Friday - May 30, 2008
Words by Ronnie Gamble
Evidence (Photo: ABB Records)
Los Angeles Detectives took notorious graffiti artist Cyrus "Buket" Yazdani into custody this week and charged him with felony vandalism thanks to several YouTube videos he posted online.
According to the LA Times, 24-year-old Buket had a yearning for what they call "fame" in the graffiti world, and habitual videotaped himself in the act and uploaded the footage to the net. Thanks to a video of him painting a Hollywood Fwy overpass, with cars zooming by 20 feet below, he gained global recognition. That's not all he gained though. He also gained the LAPD's attention as well.
What's funnier about this story is that Dilated Peoples' Evidence had his photo plastered on the front page of the Times and on television, after his photo was mistakenly depicted as Buket.
Evidence made the call to the paper and got a retraction, but found the whole ordeal funny.
"I was flattered thought that they thought I was 24," Evidence told BallerStatus.com with a laugh. "I thought it was funny that they didn’t take the time to investigate anything. I was just doing a promo."
He did notice people recognizing him while running around L.A. all this week, but he had the feeling it wasn't because he is from the long standing Dilated Peoples group.
"I went to Starbucks yesterday and people were looking at me funny, and I don’t think it’s because of Dilated Peoples. Don't believe everything you see on the news," he said.
The rapper explained that he was approached by Yazdani over a year ago and was asked to say a few promotional words on video. Unbeknowest to the celeb endorser, his words would be edited and used as an introductory segment running prior to footage of Yazdani making his tag on the 101 Hollywood Fwy.
The segment entitled "War 4" circulated on Youtube.com and was watched by over 500,000 viewers. Video images of Evidence were accidentally pulled by the Los Angeles Times when Yazdani was taken into custody, thus mistakenly identifying the MC for the notorious tagger.
"In my line of work anytime someone asks me for a recorded or live video promo, I'm always glad to do it," Evidence explained. "I have co-signed thousands of internet, radio and TV shows, as well as various other forms of media. This could have happened to any entertainer, not just me."
Authorities estimate that Buket's handiwork has caused $150,000 worth of damage in Los Angeles alone. At press time, however, there was no word as to the penalties he faces.
Evidence on the other hand is gearing up for upcoming nationwide show dates for the Fresh Rhymes & Videotape Tour, which will feature Dilated Peoples, The Alchemist, Aceyalone and 88 Keys. The tour is slated to run from June 2nd - June 29th and will hit all major cities.
Features Lil Josh & Ernest : We Just Jigg'n Lil Josh & Ernest has infiltrated the music scene in Louisiana with their Jigga Juice Movement. Although their talent ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Game Review: Madden NFL 09 It's hard to believe that the Madden series has been around for twenty years now, transforming from a simple football ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
