The Rockness Monstah took the opportunity to claim his innocence on attempted murder charges both onstage and during an interview with XXLMag.com last night (May 5) at Santos Party House in New York for the release party of indie rapper Phil Anastasia’s The Outfit LP.
Rock, who was arrested on charges of assault and attempted murder in the shooting and paralyzing of a pimp in Brooklyn in January 2008, asked the crowd to join him in call-and-response chants of “Rock filthy, not guilty” while debuting a track over Snoop Dogg’s “Murder Was Tha Case” instrumental.
“It’s an accusation and it’s a bunch of bullshit,” Rock said later of the charges. However, he remained confident that the situation would resolve itself. “For once in my life — not to say that I appreciate the law in any sense of the word — but I can say that if they do their job and they do their job thoroughly, then I ain’t go no problem. It’ll be good.”
As for now, with a trial yet to begin and his next court date still months away, Rock continues to move forward with his career, hitting the stage last night alongside Inspectah Deck and Streetlife, as well as his Heltah Skeltah partner-in-rhyme, Sean Price.
“You got a couple of people who are afraid to touch the situation,” Rock said. “They don’t know whether I’ma be able to travel or do shit like that. But I just did a whole month overseas.”
During a recent three-week stint in Cali as well, Rock also recorded a mixtape entitled West Coashka, due out before the end of the summer. “That’s summer time rider music right there,” he said. “For all those people who love all the West Coast and love that ‘Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka’ shit.” Sean P also promises a summer release for his own solo mixtape, Kimbo Price. – Devin Chanda