Of friend you want -- a friend that knows a lot of street [bleep] a friend that knows
industry [bleep] you know?
But I'm the friend, that
"keep your ass out of trouble"
but I'm the friend, that "keep your ass out of trouble" kind of friend.
I think there's a perception of
people that you see that you
have no idea who the [bleep]
they really are.
Have no idea who the [bleep] they really are. ♪
♪
-- captions by vitac -- www.Vitac.Com
I was born in the bronx. At 6 months old, my mom moved me back to jamaica,
at 6 months old, my mom moved me back to jamaica, and then she moved us back
to the u.S. When I was 7.
And then she moved us back to the u.S. When I was 7. So I pretty much didn't really
understand living in the states.
What I knew was life in jamaica.
Understand living in the states. What I knew was life in jamaica. No shoes, no shirt,
what I knew was life in jamaica. No shoes, no shirt, just running around playing
no shoes, no shirt, just running around playing with the, you know, family dog.
Just running around playing with the, you know, family dog. So when I got to america,
I had to wear shoes,
so when I got to america, I had to wear shoes, I had to wear a coat,
I had to wear gloves, scarf.
So, for me, that was
a culture shock.
Adapting to the american kids
was tough because I had
adapting to the american kids was tough because I had come here during the '70s.
Was tough because I had come here during the '70s. I had an unkempt afro,
I had a heavy jamaican accent,
and the kids teased me
every single day,
but that's when fight club
started.
But that's when fight club started. So from that point on,
I think pretty much
so from that point on, I think pretty much every day of my life in america,
I was fighting for my life.
Every day of my life in america, I was fighting for my life. I pretty much got in a fight
every day
because of how I looked,
how I spoke,
how we dressed, 'cause
we basically wore hand-me-downs.
How we dressed, 'cause we basically wore hand-me-downs. I mean, we don't have
winter coats in jamaica.
You don't need that.
Winter coats in jamaica. You don't need that. So, for me, I got teased for
you don't need that. So, for me, I got teased for everything -- the way I looked,
so, for me, I got teased for everything -- the way I looked, you know, the way we spoke,
like, everybody else said,
"three," I said, "tree."
there was not a day
that I didn't want to go back
to jamaica, you know?
That I didn't want to go back to jamaica, you know? And then got to the point
where I just --
and then got to the point where I just -- I got tired of being picked on.
Where I just -- I got tired of being picked on. So I started -- you know,
I started fighting.
So, for me, I had
seven siblings,
so, for me, I had seven siblings, so I was in the middle.
Seven siblings, so I was in the middle. So I was either fighting
with my big brother or
so I was either fighting with my big brother or I was fighting with my little
sister and my little brother.
So, for me,
I was very strong, you know,
so, for me, I was very strong, you know, 'cause I'm always fighting them,
and then to go out on the street
and then get
in another fight again,
so I became very good
at fighting, you know,
to the point where my mom said,
you know, "I'm taking you to
martial arts."
I knew how to street fight,
and then now I knew the
discipline of martial arts, so
it was, like, very good for me.
Discipline of martial arts, so it was, like, very good for me. I hate to say it,
but I hurt a lot of people
with martial arts and just being
able to street fight.
With martial arts and just being able to street fight. I broke noses, I broke glasses,
I broke, you know, arms at times
that I actually even,
you know, gave somebody
a black eye, bloody nose,
busted lip, I've knocked out
teeth.
Busted lip, I've knocked out teeth. This is all at 9, 10 years old,
I was doing all this,
this is all at 9, 10 years old, I was doing all this, so I thought I was going to
grow up
to be a boxer of some sort.
Grow up to be a boxer of some sort. As a kid,
I just was very strong.
You know, I sometimes fought
kids that were twice my size,
you know, I sometimes fought kids that were twice my size, you know?
Kids that were twice my size, you know? When I made friends,
I made friends
when I made friends, I made friends with other caribbean kids,
I made friends with
puerto rican, you know,
dominicans, just, like,
'cause we were all --
they called us coconuts.
So, for us, you know,
we had to stick together.
Anyone that was picked on,
you know, for their ethnicity
anyone that was picked on, you know, for their ethnicity or where they came from,
I pretty much was friends
with them.
My parents are
two of the hardest-working
my parents are two of the hardest-working people that I know.
Two of the hardest-working people that I know. You know,
they were very strict with us.
They wanted the best for us.
They were very strict with us. They wanted the best for us. You know, that's why we left
they wanted the best for us. You know, that's why we left jamaica, because, politically,
you know, that's why we left jamaica, because, politically, jlp and pnp, those are
the different political parties,
like we have democrats
and republicans here in america.
Like we have democrats and republicans here in america. They were pretty much like that,
but the movement was so much
they were pretty much like that, but the movement was so much more different, more violent
than people could understand.
More different, more violent than people could understand. I mean, jamaica can be
a violent place.
I mean, it's such a small island
that produces such good music
and such, you know,
bad things at the same time,
if you can understand
what I mean.
If you can understand what I mean. But, you know, those two parties
were fighting in jamaica,
but, you know, those two parties were fighting in jamaica, and it got really bad.
Were fighting in jamaica, and it got really bad. So my parents
decided that it was best
so my parents decided that it was best for all of us to leave.
Decided that it was best for all of us to leave. I was the only one in the family
with american passport.
So, for me,
they sent me off first,
so, for me, they sent me off first, so I left the rest
of my siblings behind,
and then it was maybe a year
before the whole family
was in the states
and together 'cause we had
to apply for the visas,
and back then it was tough.
To apply for the visas, and back then it was tough. So my parents just, you know,
they got to america,
so my parents just, you know, they got to america, took odd jobs, and, again, you
know, our speech,
you know, the way that
we say things wasn't
quite clear to people.
We say things wasn't quite clear to people. People didn't
understand our language,
people didn't understand our language, which is like a patois,
which is broken english.
Which is like a patois, which is broken english. So, you know, it was tough for
my parents to really find jobs.
I mean, my mom was
a cleaning lady at a hotel,
and then a nurse's aide.
A cleaning lady at a hotel, and then a nurse's aide. She did many different things.
And then a nurse's aide. She did many different things. My mother was a model
she did many different things. My mother was a model at one point.
She was also miss jamaica.
At one point. She was also miss jamaica. So it was -- you know,
she was also miss jamaica. So it was -- you know, I guess it was deemed that I was
so it was -- you know, I guess it was deemed that I was supposed to be doing something
and, you know, being pretty,
I guess -- they called me
pretty boy, and, you know,
people are rough.
Pretty boy, and, you know, people are rough. Kids are rough with names.
People are rough. Kids are rough with names. They call you
kids are rough with names. They call you all kind of things.
So I've been pretty much
called everything.
I've been called a mother[bleep]
you know, a pretty mother[bleep]
all kinds of different things,
you know, so it's normal.
All kinds of different things, you know, so it's normal. I didn't start embracing
my pretty until,
like, I'd probably say,
maybe not even
till I got into modeling.
Maybe not even till I got into modeling. I think before,
like, when I was 13 years old,
my mom would put me
in fashion shows,
and I would do the fashion shows
in the local malls
and stuff like that.
In the local malls and stuff like that. But, for me, I was always
like -- you know, always outside
but, for me, I was always like -- you know, always outside playing soccer,
football, baseball, you know,
bmx bike, skateboarding.
Football, baseball, you know, bmx bike, skateboarding. And, you know, I would go do
these things, and, you know,
and, you know, I would go do these things, and, you know, she had me doing photo shoots
and all of that stuff.
She had me doing photo shoots and all of that stuff. For school, I started working
out, you know, 'cause I wanted
for school, I started working out, you know, 'cause I wanted to play football.
Out, you know, 'cause I wanted to play football. So I went from maybe 145 pounds
my freshman year and maybe 5'9"
so I went from maybe 145 pounds my freshman year and maybe 5'9" to 6'1" 195 pounds my senior
year, so, you know,
I started getting muscles,
and my body started changing,
my voice got deeper,
and I started getting
all the attraction from
the different girls in school,
so I think pretty much
11th grade high school
is when I started embracing it,
you know, I started
to get my hair cut often,
and I was in the barber shop
almost every Saturday, and then,
you know, just everywhere
I went in new york city,
people would ask me,
"are you a model?"
you know, I was in
washington square park one day,
and the editors
for source magazine saw me,
and they -- you know,
it was a guy and a girl.
And they -- you know, it was a guy and a girl. They approached me.
It was a guy and a girl. They approached me. They said, "hey,
they approached me. They said, "hey, you ever thought
they said, "hey, you ever thought about modeling?"
and then I was just like,
"oh, here we go."
you know, I thought they were,
like, some freak couple that
wanted to do some crazy porn or
whatever.
Wanted to do some crazy porn or whatever. They just gave me
a business card,
they just gave me a business card, I looked at it, and I said,
"you know what?
I'll check it out, see what's
up."
my uncle pushed me on
and was like,
"yo, you should do it."
so the next day, which was
the Friday that I met them,
we ended up shooting
on a Saturday, and I worked
with this girl who's an actress
by the name of n'bushe wright.
With this girl who's an actress by the name of n'bushe wright. She was my love interest
in the photo shoot.
I got to talking to her,
and she was like, "yo,
you should really try acting."
later on, you know,
people started calling
the source magazine, was like,
"yo, who's that kid in that ad
with -- you know, in the layout
that you had with the n'bushe?"
and then, you know,
people started calling me.
And then, you know, people started calling me. I remember even...
People started calling me. I remember even... Reached out to me,
you know, at one point,
reached out to me, you know, at one point, and then I ended up doing
some stuff at the javits center.
And then I ended up doing some stuff at the javits center. There were others before me,
but the title of supermodel
there were others before me, but the title of supermodel didn't hit me
until, you know,
maybe one year into my career
where I was like, you know,
here I am, a kid from
the bronx/jamaica,
you know, kind of a street kid,
you know, never been around
high fashion.
You know, never been around high fashion. I'm, like, standing
in the presence of, you know,
linda evangelista,
naomi campbell, kate moss,
you know, cindy crawford.
Naomi campbell, kate moss, you know, cindy crawford. I remember one time walking into
indochine and seeing
cindy crawford.
Indochine and seeing cindy crawford. It was like, "wow, how you
doing?"
it was like, "wow, how you doing?" you know? And she was like,
"hi, tyson."
I was like, "you know my name."
she's like,
"everybody knows your name."
I mean, for me,
it was just different.
It was a whole different world,
like a world
it was a whole different world, like a world that I never knew about.
Like a world that I never knew about. And then, you know,
I was being invited
and then, you know, I was being invited to all these great parties
with all these great,
different fashion designers.
With all these great, different fashion designers. I remember one time
running into jean paul gaultier,
and he was just, like,
so mad at me because I took
the ralph lauren contract,
and, you know,
jean paul gaultier was mad
because he was like,
"I wanted you to be my muse.
Because he was like, "I wanted you to be my muse. I wanted to, you know,
work with you," and stuff.
And, you know, a lot of people
in fashion
and, you know, a lot of people in fashion were very upset that I had taken
that contract so fast
because I'd only been
in the industry maybe 9 months
to 12 months.
In the industry maybe 9 months to 12 months. In that industry,
things take a time to hit,
in that industry, things take a time to hit, and I kind of took off
pretty fast.
And I kind of took off pretty fast. I think I took off -- my career
took off faster than anyone
else's in the history of
fashion.
Else's in the history of fashion. You being in a ralph lauren ad,
you're in vanity fair,
you being in a ralph lauren ad, you're in vanity fair, you're in gq, you're pretty much
everywhere, you know,
and he put a lot of money
into the advertisement
to be on billboards, posters.
Into the advertisement to be on billboards, posters. I mean, I was on sunset, and I
had never even been to sunset,
you know?
Had never even been to sunset, you know? I'd never been to l.A. Before,
you know?
So, for me, it was just crazy
that I was everywhere.
And it was not just here
in america.
It was worldwide.
In america. It was worldwide. I mean, you had billboards in
it was worldwide. I mean, you had billboards in china, you had billboards in
russia, you know, England,
everywhere.
Russia, you know, England, everywhere. It was life-changing,
and it got to a point
it was life-changing, and it got to a point where it was scary, you know,
because the same kids
that I grew up with
were not the same kids anymore.
That I grew up with were not the same kids anymore. The jealousy, the envy,
and, "I want to cut your face"
the jealousy, the envy, and, "I want to cut your face" kind of stuff started,
but those who knew me was like,
"you got that kid mixed up.
But those who knew me was like, "you got that kid mixed up. He might be a pretty boy,
but he's not soft, though."
>> beckford: The shower posse was a jamaican cartel that came to america and pretty
much terrorized america
and brought cocaine and ak-47s,
and so I was about 17
when I was running with them,
and it wasn't like
I went looking for them.
And it wasn't like I went looking for them. You know, you being a jamaican
that's already kind of set up
you know, you being a jamaican that's already kind of set up in america,
they kind of cling on to you.
In america, they kind of cling on to you. So they came around
my family and myself
so they came around my family and myself and, you know, it started
with just running errands, like,
you know, "take this one here
to go buy some clothes,"
because, you know, again,
coming from jamaica,
you have on a marina
and, you know, flip-flops,
meaning you have on a tank top
and flip-flops, you know?
Meaning you have on a tank top and flip-flops, you know? It started with that,
and then, you know, I'd have to
it started with that, and then, you know, I'd have to pick up one guy and then one guy
might have, like, a bag with
him, and then next thing you
know, I'm fixing ak-47s
and hiding, you know,
kilos of cocaine in the freezer.
And hiding, you know, kilos of cocaine in the freezer. And this is all at 16, 17.
Kilos of cocaine in the freezer. And this is all at 16, 17. I'm playing
and this is all at 16, 17. I'm playing high-school football.
You know, I'm being chased
by the cheerleaders,
you know, I'm being chased by the cheerleaders, but I had a dual life.
By the cheerleaders, but I had a dual life. I would notice that in the
daytimes when I'm coming home
from school, I'm being trailed
by an fbi car.
From school, I'm being trailed by an fbi car. I was kind of hip
to what was going on.
I mean, they had me on wiretaps,
but things on the wiretaps,
I was smart enough to know
not to talk on the phone, like,
you know,
things I would talk about.
You know, things I would talk about. Like, "yeah,
I saw this girl at school,
like, "yeah, I saw this girl at school, and, you know,
she's preeing me
and, you know --" "preeing me"
mean she's checking me out, so
there'd be a lot of
conversations like that but
never, like, "oh, I fixed biga's
ak because he's got to go, you
know, drive by somewhere."
mechanically,
I knew how to do everything.
Mechanically, I knew how to do everything. At probably 9 years old,
I learned how to
at probably 9 years old, I learned how to take apart a 1911
and put it back together
in the dark.
And put it back together in the dark. So, you know, I thought
I was going to the military,
so, you know, I thought I was going to the military, but I was guerilla
street warfare.
But I was guerilla street warfare. My job was just make sure
the guns were running right.
So that was my run
with the shower posse,
so that was my run with the shower posse, and then when the indictments
came, you know, I was the
youngest one on the list.
Came, you know, I was the youngest one on the list. I was a coconspirator.
Youngest one on the list. I was a coconspirator. So I was about to be indicted.
Pretty much, the fbi took
so I was about to be indicted. Pretty much, the fbi took down -- took down 90% of us.
Some of us, they didn't have
enough evidence,
some of us, they didn't have enough evidence, myself speaking.
Enough evidence, myself speaking. Some of the phone taps that I
read when the lawyers
some of the phone taps that I read when the lawyers put the paperwork in front of me
were only 400 pages of
talking about girls,
air jordans,
and never anything about
what it is I was doing.
And never anything about what it is I was doing. You know, I remember one day
coming home from school,
you know, I remember one day coming home from school, I had to go
by one of the stash houses,
which was a couple blocks
from my house.
Which was a couple blocks from my house. I went, had on my backpack,
and went in the house.
Was in the house for maybe
15 minutes.
I had to adjust an ak.
I went in, I fixed it.
Something was wrong with the
bolt carrier,
something was wrong with the bolt carrier, so I fixed the bolt carrier,
and then, at the time,
I wasn't even thinking.
And then, at the time, I wasn't even thinking. It was my bare hands I did it
with.
You know, my fingerprints
are on the internals,
you know, my fingerprints are on the internals, and I didn't think about it.
Are on the internals, and I didn't think about it. There was a knock on the door
like a serious...
We stuck the ak under the couch.
Like a serious... We stuck the ak under the couch. There's about three keys of
we stuck the ak under the couch. There's about three keys of coke, and I mean pure, uncut,
there's about three keys of coke, and I mean pure, uncut, ready to go to the street.
Coke, and I mean pure, uncut, ready to go to the street. Back then, keys were going for
maybe around $10,500,
back then, keys were going for maybe around $10,500, so it's about $30,000
worth of coke in the freezer
and wherever else in the house
the rest of the coke was,
I don't know.
The rest of the coke was, I don't know. So you have two other jamaicans,
nervous.
They're sitting on the couch.
Nervous. They're sitting on the couch. They're sitting on top
they're sitting on the couch. They're sitting on top of the ak.
I go to the door.
Of the ak. I go to the door. I open the door.
Three cops come in, guns drawn.
"everybody, get on the floor."
three cops come in, guns drawn. "everybody, get on the floor." okay, we get on the floor.
They check us.
Okay, we get on the floor. They check us. We're clean.
They sit us on the couch
we're clean. They sit us on the couch with the ak
they sit us on the couch with the ak with my fingerprints on it,
and it's locked
and loaded, ready to go.
And it's locked and loaded, ready to go. So they come in, ask us a bunch
of questions.
They're like, "yo, what are you
doing?"
they're like, "yo, what are you doing?" I said, "nothing.
Doing?" I said, "nothing. I just came by to see my
friends," you know?
So, like,
"where you go to school?"
so, like, "where you go to school?" ask me all the questions,
everything.
Ask me all the questions, everything. They were like, "that's a very
nice high school.
What are you doing over here?
Nice high school. What are you doing over here? What are you doing with these
what are you doing over here? What are you doing with these two?"
what are you doing with these two?" I mean, "what do you mean?
Two?" I mean, "what do you mean? You know, we're all
from jamaica.
We're jamaicans.
From jamaica. We're jamaicans. So we just -- you know,
we're jamaicans. So we just -- you know, we in here talking football,"
so we just -- you know, we in here talking football," soccer to them.
We in here talking football," soccer to them. Said, "alright."
so they search all over the
said, "alright." so they search all over the house.
So they search all over the house. You know, while two guys kept us
on the couch, you know, we're
you know, while two guys kept us on the couch, you know, we're sitting on the ak.
On the couch, you know, we're sitting on the ak. So not once did they think, "eh,
let's go in the freezer."
so not once did they think, "eh, let's go in the freezer." dummies.
Let's go in the freezer." dummies. Cocaine needs to stay cold,
stupids.
So they they give us back
our ids, they leave the house,
so they they give us back our ids, they leave the house, and like 10 minutes later,
I left the house,
and I just was like, "wow.
I just dodged a bullet."
I want to tell you about some of
the things that I did
that I didn't appreciate.
The things that I did that I didn't appreciate. I remember
I was robbing drug dealers.
So I was probably about 18,
19.
I had beat the shower posse
case.
They didn't have anything on me,
but I knew I was being watched
they didn't have anything on me, but I knew I was being watched for a little while.
But I knew I was being watched for a little while. So I got out of the area
that I was in upstate new york
so I got out of the area that I was in upstate new york when I was running
with the shower.
When I was running with the shower. So I got to new york,
and, you know, I'm back
so I got to new york, and, you know, I'm back in the city again
and we decided to
start robbing drug dealers
'cause, one, they don't call the
police, two, they got cash on
hand, and, three,
they're bad people.
Hand, and, three, they're bad people. So we were like, "...It.
They're bad people. So we were like, "...It. Let's rob them."
so we were like, "...It. Let's rob them." so one time
let's rob them." so one time we kick in this house
that we had been under
surveillance for about a week.
That we had been under surveillance for about a week. So we kick in.
Surveillance for about a week. So we kick in. It's three of us -- me, my
so we kick in. It's three of us -- me, my brother, and my cousin's
it's three of us -- me, my brother, and my cousin's husband.
Brother, and my cousin's husband. So we're in there.
Husband. So we're in there. Got everybody tied up.
Used just regular cord, you
got everybody tied up. Used just regular cord, you know?
Got everybody facedown.
Know? Got everybody facedown. I hear this baby
got everybody facedown. I hear this baby crying in the back room.
And when we had come in,
it was two men and a woman.
She was smoking crack.
It was two men and a woman. She was smoking crack. So the baby is crying.
So I have my gun in my hand,
so the baby is crying. So I have my gun in my hand, and I put my gun in my waist.
And I say to the lady,
'cause I got a mask on, I said,
and I say to the lady, 'cause I got a mask on, I said, "is there a baby in this [bleep]
house?"
and she's like, "yeah.
House?" and she's like, "yeah. It's my kid."
and she's probably,
it's my kid." and she's probably, you know, hungry.
And she's probably, you know, hungry. I said, "you're in here [bleep]
smoking crack with a baby."
so I started to get
really emotional
'cause it pissed me off.
Really emotional 'cause it pissed me off. So I went and got the baby
and I'm holding her and I'm
so I went and got the baby and I'm holding her and I'm kind of, like,
getting her quiet,
and the guys are getting the
money, putting it in the bag,
doing whatever they're doing.
Money, putting it in the bag, doing whatever they're doing. So I sit the lady up.
Doing whatever they're doing. So I sit the lady up. She's tied up.
So I cut her loose, and I said,
she's tied up. So I cut her loose, and I said, "you're not going to do
so I cut her loose, and I said, "you're not going to do anything stupid, are you?"
she said, "no."
so I handed her back the baby
and I said, "look, don't make me
ever come back here
and you're smoking and
you got this baby in this house,
'cause I will kill you,
and I will take the baby away
from you."
so after that, you know,
we leave, we got the money,
and we're driving home.
We leave, we got the money, and we're driving home. And I just said,
"I can't do this anymore.
It's not for me."
♪
it's not for me." ♪ that's the last...
Last crack house I ever robbed.
That's the last... Last crack house I ever robbed. I swore never to do it again,
last crack house I ever robbed. I swore never to do it again, never to do crime,
and I never did.
>> beckford: Well, my mom kind
of knew what was going on,
you know, at one point
'cause my older brother
was killed in '92.
And, you know, I don't know if it was retaliation from a lot of the dirt
that we did or whatever,
but she kind of knew, like,
you know -- she was working
so many jobs and stuff
and trying to keep us
all in line to the point where,
you know, she kicked
my older sister out 'cause she
didn't want to listen,
she kicked my older brother out,
and then eventually I got kicked
out of, you know, my house when
I was 17.
Out of, you know, my house when I was 17. And, you know,
I had my own apartment,
and, you know, I had my own apartment, you know, in high school.
>> beckford: The way that I met bethann hardison, who was my manager for pretty much
30 years, I had saw her son,
kadeem hardison, on a show
called "the arsenio hall show."
so we saw the shows, like,
maybe a Thursday night or so.
So we saw the shows, like, maybe a Thursday night or so. He talked about his mom having,
you know, this multiracial
he talked about his mom having, you know, this multiracial cultural modeling agency,
you know, and how her
small agency of 120-plus kids
went against the fords, the
imgs, you know, all the big
agencies, and, you know,
she had some of the top kids
in most of the ads that you saw
back in the '90s,
from calvin klein
all the way down to,
you know, the gap.
All the way down to, you know, the gap. So one day I walked --
I made an appointment to go in
so one day I walked -- I made an appointment to go in there, a friend of mine and me.
I went in.
There, a friend of mine and me. I went in. She came down the stairs,
and I see this lady with these
she came down the stairs, and I see this lady with these long dreads at the time,
and, you know,
very smooth, elegant.
And, you know, very smooth, elegant. You know, she comes over,
she starts talking to me,
you know, she comes over, she starts talking to me, and she asks me, you know,
where I'm from, about my life.
And she asks me, you know, where I'm from, about my life. So she said, you know,
"what do you want to be?"
so she said, you know, "what do you want to be?" I said, "I want to be a tv
producer, director, actor."
she said, "you never
once mentioned modeling."
I said, "no, I don't
really want to do that.
I just know how to do it.
Really want to do that. I just know how to do it. And if people are going
to pay me to do it, why not?
It's easy money."
I said, "anybody can stand there
it's easy money." I said, "anybody can stand there in shirt and pants
and sell sexy."
I said, "I do that all the time,
walking, you know,
the streets of new york."
so she laughed and she said,
"okay, I'm going to try it out.
So she laughed and she said, "okay, I'm going to try it out. We're going to do this."
so it was pretty much
we're going to do this." so it was pretty much that was it.
So it was pretty much that was it. The way that I was discovered
by ralph lauren was I was sent
the way that I was discovered by ralph lauren was I was sent to see a photographer
by the name of bruce weber.
To see a photographer by the name of bruce weber. This was, like, maybe two months
into me signing with bethann.
I went to his studio.
Into me signing with bethann. I went to his studio. We met. We talked.
He took two polaroids of me,
we met. We talked. He took two polaroids of me, asked me about my life,
he took two polaroids of me, asked me about my life, where I came from.
Asked me about my life, where I came from. So he just said, "look, you
know, I got a friend named ralph
so he just said, "look, you know, I got a friend named ralph that I want to send these
pictures to."
you know, I didn't think
anything of it.
You know, I didn't think anything of it. So met him, shook his head,
left.
Couple weeks later,
I got called into a casting
couple weeks later, I got called into a casting for ralph lauren.
I went in.
For ralph lauren. I went in. I saw a lady by the name of
buffy and carter,
and they looked at me and said,
"look, you're not right for
this.
So, you know, maybe come back
next week.
We're doing this thing called
polo sport."
we're doing this thing called polo sport." I said, "okay, no problem."
so I went back
the following week.
So I went back the following week. They had me put on this tank
top that said "polo sport,"
they had me put on this tank top that said "polo sport," and at the time, you know,
I never heard of it.
And at the time, you know, I never heard of it. It was, you know -- and I grew
up wearing polo.
So they said,
"could you wait two minutes?"
so they said, "could you wait two minutes?" I said, "yeah, sure."
so they took a polaroid of me.
I got dressed.
So they took a polaroid of me. I got dressed. They went upstairs.
They said, "we're going to go
they went upstairs. They said, "we're going to go show ralph."
they said, "we're going to go show ralph." and, again, didn't think of it.
Show ralph." and, again, didn't think of it. I just thought it was like
an employee named ralph.
Didn't think it was
the ralph lauren.
They come back downstairs,
and they're like, you know,
they come back downstairs, and they're like, you know, giddy like schoolgirls,
and they're like, "okay,
nice to meet you.
And they're like, "okay, nice to meet you. You know, we'll be in touch."
you know, the same thing that a
you know, we'll be in touch." you know, the same thing that a lot of casting directors say.
You know, the same thing that a lot of casting directors say. So I leave.
Lot of casting directors say. So I leave. I'm walking up and down, like,
so I leave. I'm walking up and down, like, fifth avenue.
This is maybe 45 minutes
to an hour later.
Phone rings.
To an hour later. Phone rings. And I had a, you know,
phone rings. And I had a, you know, startech throwaway.
The phone rings. I pick it up.
Startech throwaway. The phone rings. I pick it up. It's my booker,
the phone rings. I pick it up. It's my booker, and he says, "where are you?"
it's my booker, and he says, "where are you?" I said, "I'm still, you know,
on fifth avenue, close to
650 madison, ralph lauren."
he says, okay, you just booked
the ralph lauren campaign."
I said, "no way."
"really."
and, I mean, I was excited.
Just nothing big like
that ever happened for me.
So, you know, that's pretty much
how I got into the family.
And then
the first day that I saw
and then the first day that I saw the ralph lauren ad that I shot,
we shot it in squaw valley.
The ralph lauren ad that I shot, we shot it in squaw valley. It was so many different people,
you know, of different races.
We're all standing
on a mountain, you know,
we're all standing on a mountain, you know, and I'm wearing this bright red
usa sweatshirt.
And I'm wearing this bright red usa sweatshirt. You know, there was kind of like
a buzz going on.
There was this new magazine
out called vibe magazine.
Everybody was, like, looking at
it.
People are talking about it.
It. People are talking about it. And then, you know,
people are talking about it. And then, you know, people are looking at me
and then, you know, people are looking at me and I'm looking like,
you know, "what's going on?
And I'm looking like, you know, "what's going on? Why is everybody looking at me?"
so I'm hanging out
why is everybody looking at me?" so I'm hanging out with my friends,
and somebody walks up to me
and says, "hey, you the guy
in the polo ads?"
I was like,
"what are you talking about?"
no idea what they're talking
about.
No idea what they're talking about. So he says -- he has the vibe
magazine, and he opens it up,
so he says -- he has the vibe magazine, and he opens it up, and it's like a full-on spread,
you know?
And it's like a full-on spread, you know? You got these five guys
standing on top of the mountain,
you got these five guys standing on top of the mountain, and then there I am,
and then you turn the next page,
and it's just one page of me
in this usa sweatshirt.
And it's just one page of me in this usa sweatshirt. And, I mean, like,
my mouth dropped.
Then it was in gq,
it was everywhere.
And then they decided to do
a poster.
That changed my life.
A poster. That changed my life. Now, I went from, you know,
that changed my life. Now, I went from, you know, street kid to kind of,
now, I went from, you know, street kid to kind of, like, fashion superstar,
kind of, like, hitless.
Like, fashion superstar, kind of, like, hitless. Why I say that?
Kind of, like, hitless. Why I say that? Because now there was a target
why I say that? Because now there was a target on me.
By 24, I was a millionaire,
you know, working for ralph.
I started with him
when I was 22, 21.
So I booked, like, these amazing
sprite commercials, you know,
so I booked, like, these amazing sprite commercials, you know, and ford car commercials, like,
I was bringing in the money.
And ford car commercials, like, I was bringing in the money. Had a check from sprite
for $100,000.
A contract pretty much like
the ralph lauren contract I had,
a contract pretty much like the ralph lauren contract I had, 365 days.
The ralph lauren contract I had, 365 days. So sometimes some people do
one year, sometimes two years.
So in that contract,
I am contracted to work
so in that contract, I am contracted to work 40 to 45 days,
meaning that
a photo shoot is one day
traveling to the photo shoot
is a half a day,
so round trip is one full day.
Is a half a day, so round trip is one full day. A fitting is a half a day.
So round trip is one full day. A fitting is a half a day. So those are dates that are
a fitting is a half a day. So those are dates that are taken off of the contract.
So if I do a photo shoot
for a week,
so if I do a photo shoot for a week, that's seven days off of it,
plus the flying and,
you know, the fittings.
Plus the flying and, you know, the fittings. I think I got $360,000, my first
contract.
It got to the point where I was
there -- when I left there,
it got to the point where I was there -- when I left there, I was making $1.3 million,
you know, 'cause
every year it increased,
it came back,
and bethann was shocked.
It came back, and bethann was shocked. I mean, we doubled up -- '94,
we were, like, way over
half a million easy.
>> beckford: I used to hang out with all these artists from atlanta.
With all these artists from atlanta. Dated this girl named chilli
from tlc for a minute.
I met this guy named
bille woodruff and then
toni braxton.
Bille woodruff and then toni braxton. So bille woodruff was an a&r
at the label.
He then became a video director.
At the label. He then became a video director. So he had this incredible idea
he then became a video director. So he had this incredible idea about this song
so he had this incredible idea about this song that toni braxton had done
called "un-break my heart."
so in the song, it's about her
falling in love with this guy
and him having some kind of
tragedy that took his life,
and, you know, she wants to go
back and unbreak her heart.
And, you know, she wants to go back and unbreak her heart. So bille had shot me
this concept because he knew
so bille had shot me this concept because he knew I rode motorcycles.
This concept because he knew I rode motorcycles. He's like, "look, you're
going to be in this video.
You guys have this amazing
house.
You're madly in love.
House. You're madly in love. You leave one day
you're madly in love. You leave one day to go somewhere,
you leave one day to go somewhere, and you kiss her goodbye,
and that's the last time
you ever see her.
And that's the last time you ever see her. You get hit by a car,
and you die."
you get hit by a car, and you die." and he's like, "yo,
it's like a mini movie,
and I need you to do the part."
so at the time, I think toni
was dating bryce wilson,
who was a guy that I knew.
Was dating bryce wilson, who was a guy that I knew. So bille was like, "look,
you guys got to go on a date.
You got to get to know each
other 'cause you got to seem
you got to get to know each other 'cause you got to seem like you're really in love."
toni comes and picks me up.
Like you're really in love." toni comes and picks me up. So we go to dinner, then we go
up the coast, pch.
So we get out of the car.
Up the coast, pch. So we get out of the car. We stop at this one spot
so we get out of the car. We stop at this one spot that she loves,
we stop at this one spot that she loves, and she's like,
"ah, this is my favorite spot."
so we're sitting on the hood
of the car and she's like,
"you know, this song is really
from my heart,"
you know, almost to the point
where we almost kiss.
You know, almost to the point where we almost kiss. But she's got a boyfriend, so I
got to behave.
So I know that, come the video,
I got to do all these things
so I know that, come the video, I got to do all these things in the video.
So the video came, and, you
know, when it came out on bet,
so the video came, and, you know, when it came out on bet, it was just crazy.
Know, when it came out on bet, it was just crazy. The song just catapulted
to #1, and it was
the song just catapulted to #1, and it was on the billboard charts forever.
To #1, and it was on the billboard charts forever. And, I mean, there was nowhere
I could go that people didn't
and, I mean, there was nowhere I could go that people didn't know me from the polo ads,
so this now pushed me into --
I mean, can't get
no higher than supermodel.
I was already that before
I got to the video.
So it just catapulted me
into pop-culture stardom.
Had to get out of new york
for a while, so I moved to l.A.
For a little bit.
For a while, so I moved to l.A. For a little bit. I don't know
for a little bit. I don't know if that was a good idea
'cause then I had gang bangers,
crips and bloods
being friends with me.
Crips and bloods being friends with me. Not that I have a problem
with any of those guys,
not that I have a problem with any of those guys, but, you know, it just was --
it was different, man.
But, you know, it just was -- it was different, man. I mean,
from hells angels to crips,
bloods, and to, you know, the
most famous people in the world,
I balanced this life
that some people probably, like,
you know, scorsese, would want
to make a movie of this
because it was that crazy
when people on instagram
and people threaten me
on the street,
I laugh because
there's nothing that you
can say or do to me
that I haven't been through.
Can say or do to me that I haven't been through. You know?
That I haven't been through. You know? I've been shot at
you know? I've been shot at so many times.
Bullets do a wizzle
when they go by you, to the
bullets do a wizzle when they go by you, to the point where I felt the heat from
it, you know, and literally have
had them gone underneath my
shirt, passed my head,
and I was calm.
Shirt, passed my head, and I was calm. The worst thing you can do is
panic in that kind of situation.
>> beckford: 2005. It's early morning. I'm driving on one of the
it's early morning. I'm driving on one of the jersey turnpikes.
I'm in a brand-new red
dodge viper truck.
Truck goes into a death spin
from driving down the street,
truck goes into a death spin from driving down the street, and it spins around a few times,
and then it lands specifically
into a telephone pole,
which the truck wraps around.
Into a telephone pole, which the truck wraps around. Get knocked unconscious
because of the steering wheel.
So when I come to,
I fall back in the seat
so when I come to, I fall back in the seat and I look and I see
the fuel line's going up.
And I look and I see the fuel line's going up. Then I see a spark.
The fuel line's going up. Then I see a spark. And I'm like, "oh [bleep]
then I see a spark. And I'm like, "oh [bleep] this is not good."
and I'm like, "oh [bleep] this is not good." so the flames start
to get higher.
So the flames start to get higher. The truck starts to get hot.
To get higher. The truck starts to get hot. I'm in and out of consciousness.
My nose is broken,
my eye socket is shattered,
my nose is broken, my eye socket is shattered, and there's just -- I look down.
My eye socket is shattered, and there's just -- I look down. My shirt's covered with blood.
And there's just -- I look down. My shirt's covered with blood. Look down to see that I'm still
my shirt's covered with blood. Look down to see that I'm still stuck in the seatbelt.
So the brakes locked up.
Stuck in the seatbelt. So the brakes locked up. I'm fighting to
so the brakes locked up. I'm fighting to undo the seatbelt.
Finally, I get it done.
Undo the seatbelt. Finally, I get it done. Push the door of the truck.
I notice that the truck is up in
push the door of the truck. I notice that the truck is up in the air, and I have to fall
down.
The air, and I have to fall down. I fall out of the truck
and I get up and I crawl away
and I get up to be able to run,
and then the next thing
you know, the truck explodes
like out of some "fall guy,"
colt seavers kind of movie,
and it was just like, you know,
life had flashed by me.
And it was just like, you know, life had flashed by me. And then ambulance came, cops
came, took me to the hospital,
and then ambulance came, cops came, took me to the hospital, you know,
and then paparazzi found out.
You know, and then paparazzi found out. So they were in droves
out front of the hotel.
Story was I was dead.
Out front of the hotel. Story was I was dead. Yeah.
Somebody took a picture
yeah. Somebody took a picture after they had
somebody took a picture after they had just stitched my face up,
and I was just laying there
and, obviously, the sheet
was all the way up here,
so it definite-- the picture
definitely look like I was dead.
So it definite-- the picture definitely look like I was dead. So, yeah, paper came out
at the time that I had died in a
so, yeah, paper came out at the time that I had died in a in a furious fireball of an
accident, you know?
In a furious fireball of an accident, you know? It was me and my stepdad.
Accident, you know? It was me and my stepdad. He had come to the hospital.
This is all in one day.
I'm high on all kind of drugs.
And I say to the doctor, I said,
"I got to get out of here."
and I say to the doctor, I said, "I got to get out of here." I said, "I'm not dead.
I can't let people think that."
I said, "there's a lot of people
that care about me."
so we snuck out the back door
of the hospital.
So we snuck out the back door of the hospital. But what I did learn
from that accident
but what I did learn from that accident is I'm not immortal
in any sense of the word.
Is I'm not immortal in any sense of the word. I just -- I always thought
nothing could happen to me,
you know, 'cause I've been in
motorcycle accidents, I've been
stabbed, I've been shot --
I've been shot at, not shot,
but, yeah,
I just never thought that,
you know, I was going to
go out with a car accident,
but [bleep] man,
I was [bleep] close.
But [bleep] man, I was [bleep] close. My relationship with
christopher wallace,
my relationship with christopher wallace, aka biggie smalls, was --
it was just cool, man.
Aka biggie smalls, was -- it was just cool, man. We were just two
west indian kids, both being
we were just two west indian kids, both being from jamaica with jamaican,
you know, parents just trying
to make it in this world.
You know, parents just trying to make it in this world. And, you know,
chris was into music,
and, you know, chris was into music, I was into the modeling, and,
you know, he rocked polo, him
and cease and the whole crew,
you know, and we would just see
each other all over the town.
You know, and we would just see each other all over the town. And the great thing about him,
we never talked about, "yo, I
and the great thing about him, we never talked about, "yo, I got this new album coming out."
"oh, I got this new polo ad
coming out."
we just talked about regular
stuff, real-life stuff,
you know, just being, you know,
kids who came from the street
who were just doing
better things,
whose moms were both jamaican,
and they worked hard for us.
Whose moms were both jamaican, and they worked hard for us. And I remember coming home
from howard homecoming
and I remember coming home from howard homecoming and it was on 95th
and 94th street.
And it was on 95th and 94th street. I pull up behind this trailer,
'cause everywhere in new york
during that era was somebody
shooting a music video,
a movie, or something.
Shooting a music video, a movie, or something. So I hop out, you know,
I'm sitting there just talking
so I hop out, you know, I'm sitting there just talking and then, you know, big walks
out of a trailer and he's like,
"yo, tys, what's up?"
you know, in his, you know --
in his voice.
You know, in his, you know -- in his voice. And I'm like, "yo, what's good?"
and he was like, "yo,
and I'm like, "yo, what's good?" and he was like, "yo, I'm shooting this video.
And he was like, "yo, I'm shooting this video. I need you to be in it."
he's like, "it's one more
chance."
I said, "okay, I'mma go home,
change, get fresh, come back."
you know, give myself fresh
baldy, everything.
You know, give myself fresh baldy, everything. So I show up in a syracuse
away jersey and big's like, "yo,
so I show up in a syracuse away jersey and big's like, "yo, come here, tys."
he's like, "yo,
you need to sit on the couch,
'cause when the camera
comes through, this is what's
going to happen, this and that."
I said, "alright, cool."
he said I'mma sit you next to
these two porn stars."
I was like, "alright, cool.
These two porn stars." I was like, "alright, cool. So he sits me next to these
two porn stars."
so he sits me next to these two porn stars." so I get to talking to them.
Two porn stars." so I get to talking to them. The music video
was like an actual party.
So in between every cut,
they were just playing music,
so in between every cut, they were just playing music, and everybody was chilling.
They were just playing music, and everybody was chilling. You know, I think d-nice
was the deejay at the time.
Funny enough, the late, great
heavy d was working the door.
So he was like, "you come in.
Heavy d was working the door. So he was like, "you come in. You come in. You come in.
You can't come in."
you come in. You come in. You can't come in." once people started
you can't come in." once people started to find out about this party
on 94th street,
everybody started to come,
and then the whole bad boy
street team was on the street.
And then the whole bad boy street team was on the street. Puff was there.
Street team was on the street. Puff was there. Everybody's there.
I mean, it was such a good time
everybody's there. I mean, it was such a good time in new york.
And then, you know,
history has it, he went to l.A.
I thought it was too soon.
History has it, he went to l.A. I thought it was too soon. I mean, if I could've called
him and told him, "don't go,"
I would've called him
and told him, "don't go."
when I heard about it,
I was heartbroken, you know?
When I heard about it, I was heartbroken, you know? The fact that they haven't
caught anybody yet kills me.
I mean, there's all kind of
street rumors, you know, but
nothing's in stone, you know?
Street rumors, you know, but nothing's in stone, you know? Nobody's talking.
Nothing's in stone, you know? Nobody's talking. And you understand.
It's the code of the street.
But when it's your friend,
it's the code of the street. But when it's your friend, it hurts, you know?
It hurts.
>> beckford: Well, the incident
with mr. Brown was mr. Brown
had lost his [bleep] mind.
He was doing drugs and felt the need to lash out at me 'cause I took
a picture with miss karrueche at
a party in vegas,
which was harmless.
A party in vegas, which was harmless. Then he wanted to get crazy.
Which was harmless. Then he wanted to get crazy. I'm like, "my man, you're an r&b
then he wanted to get crazy. I'm like, "my man, you're an r&b singer, okay?
You are an r&b singer, okay?
Singer, okay? You are an r&b singer, okay? You dance really good,
you are an r&b singer, okay? You dance really good, and I'm from the street."
you dance really good, and I'm from the street." he said he's going to slap
my son, jordan,
and he's going to [bleep] my
baby moms, April.
And he's going to [bleep] my baby moms, April. I don't take threats lightly.
Baby moms, April. I don't take threats lightly. So when he did that,
I responded.
"is there a problem?
Do we need to meet
somewhere and talk about it?"
do we need to meet somewhere and talk about it?" I said, "look, you can
bring all who you want to bring.
I'm going to come by myself,
but I'm going to bring
el diablo."
el diablo is a draco
that's painted red and it says
"el diablo" on the side.
That's painted red and it says "el diablo" on the side. That ended real quick.
I try not to resort to violence
that ended real quick. I try not to resort to violence 'cause that's not
who I really am.
I mean, I know how to get there
when I got to get there,
but it's kind of like
if I can walk away
from something, I always do.
>> beckford: I never dated tatyana ali. I had a crush on tatyana ali,
but, you know,
we worked together on a movie,
and, you know, that was just --
she's like my sister.
And, you know, that was just -- she's like my sister. I love her.
She's like my sister. I love her. I worked with her on a movie
called -- an independent movie
called "supermodel,"
and she was my assistant.
Called "supermodel," and she was my assistant. I played the agent.
And she was my assistant. I played the agent. So it was fun working with her.
You know, till this day,
so it was fun working with her. You know, till this day, I still, you know,
you know, till this day, I still, you know, talk to her on dm and, you know,
congratulate her 'cause,
you know, she's a mama now.
Congratulate her 'cause, you know, she's a mama now. Yes, tyson beckford has been in
love.
There's probably one woman in
the world that is my kryptonite,
there's probably one woman in the world that is my kryptonite, so I stay the [bleep] away from
her ass.
So I stay the [bleep] away from her ass. So that's about it.
Her ass. So that's about it. Jordan, my son, and fatherhood.
Jordan is, like -- he's an
jordan, my son, and fatherhood. Jordan is, like -- he's an artist.
He can play the guitar.
Artist. He can play the guitar. He can play a little bit
he can play the guitar. He can play a little bit of piano, drums, whatever.
He's very musically inclined.
Of piano, drums, whatever. He's very musically inclined. Jordan started spending time
he's very musically inclined. Jordan started spending time with his grandfather
jordan started spending time with his grandfather and just learning
how to play instruments.
And just learning how to play instruments. He's a really good producer.
How to play instruments. He's a really good producer. He self-taught, learned
he's a really good producer. He self-taught, learned all of this when he was 13,
he self-taught, learned all of this when he was 13, and, you know, his godfather
is, like, snoop dogg
and, you know, dr. Dre.
Is, like, snoop dogg and, you know, dr. Dre. He's just a fascinating kid,
just talented.
So he's in my modeling agency.
Just talented. So he's in my modeling agency. He's going to hate me for
so he's in my modeling agency. He's going to hate me for this, but I'mma tell the story.
So my man decides, you know,
he's got long hair, you know,
so my man decides, you know, he's got long hair, you know, he's a good-looking kid, and he
decides to do his hair blond.
He's a good-looking kid, and he decides to do his hair blond. So the agency's like, "yo,
what's up with your kid's hair?"
so the agency's like, "yo, what's up with your kid's hair?" I said, "I don't know.
What's up with your kid's hair?" I said, "I don't know. I don't know what he's doing."
so then I call him the other day
and say, "you know --
you know, a lot of people
want to shoot you.
You know, a lot of people want to shoot you. You know, a lot of brands, you
know, including rl is interested
you know, a lot of brands, you know, including rl is interested in seeing you again."
he's like, "yo, dad,
check this out, yo.
He's like, "yo, dad, check this out, yo. I'mma dye my hair green.
Check this out, yo. I'mma dye my hair green. What you think about that?"
yo, I cringed.
He's like, "yo, look, look, o.G,
or --" he calls me the goat.
He says, "look, goat,
you got the clean cut
he says, "look, goat, you got the clean cut down pat.
You got the clean cut down pat. I got this look about myself."
and he's like, "yo, you know,
brands in europe want to see me.
And he's like, "yo, you know, brands in europe want to see me. You know,
they want to see this look."
you know, they want to see this look." crazy kid,
but that's how it is, man.
Crazy kid, but that's how it is, man. That's the relationship
we got going on.
So I'd be like,
"alright, I got to support you.
You go and get green hair, okay?
You went blond
you go and get green hair, okay? You went blond and black and whatever
you went blond and black and whatever color hair it was,
I got to support you."
but I keep reminding him.
I said, you know, "when I was
23, I was a millionaire.
You know, I was a millionaire at
23.
I just want to tell you that,
you know, and, you know,
I had my place at 17.
You know, and, you know, I had my place at 17. I wanted to tell you that.
You know, I know you got this
love relationship with your mom,
you know, I know you got this love relationship with your mom, but you need to get your mama's
house, my nigga.
But you need to get your mama's house, my nigga. Come on, now. Let's go."
so, you know, we just have this
come on, now. Let's go." so, you know, we just have this great father/son relationship.
So, you know, we just have this great father/son relationship. It's different.
Great father/son relationship. It's different. The future of tyson beckford
it's different. The future of tyson beckford is just -- it's constantly
the future of tyson beckford is just -- it's constantly developing 'cause now I'm doing
producing, writing,
you know, I just, you know --
I've got a great agency
that's really behind me.
I so happened to have a lot
of friends
that were in the streets who are
no longer in the streets.
That were in the streets who are no longer in the streets. So my thing now I want
to start producing their stories
so my thing now I want to start producing their stories because the crazy thing
about these stories,
they all intertwine.
About these stories, they all intertwine. There's a lot of these street
guys that we all kind of,
there's a lot of these street guys that we all kind of, when we were growing up
in the street, we all had the,
you know,
interaction of stories.
You know, interaction of stories. I mean, you have like, you know,
haitian jack hanging out and
going on dates with madonna,
then he met another guy
by the name of tupac, and when
all of that was going on,
and we were all, like, in the
same room, life and street
are two different things.
Same room, life and street are two different things. Industry and in the streets
is two different things.
Me, I'm just in the industry.
Is two different things. Me, I'm just in the industry. I am no longer
me, I'm just in the industry. I am no longer in the streets.
But the streets got love
for me, though.
I got to tell you that.
For me, though. I got to tell you that. The streets definitely -- any
time, you know, I might get a
the streets definitely -- any time, you know, I might get a word or a kite from prison
and somebody just bigging me up
for, you know, going
the straight-and-narrow path,
which I try to tell brothers
in there, if they get out,
you know, I would love
to offer them a job because
a lot of guys come out of there
and don't have nothing to do.
People don't trust them.
And, I mean, like, I know a guy
that, you know, you know,
could use some help like that.
So if I can,
I definitely help them.
You know, the worst
is to put money in their pocket.
That's not going to help them.
You got to give them some kind
of job, some kind of importance.
I mean, you'd be surprised
what a guy in prison
can come out of jail
and, you know, be able
to be a grip or lighting.
You know what I mean?
You got to just give them a
chance.
So I kind of want to do stuff
like that.