INFAMY PODCAST. JUNE 3. EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY. NARRATED, WRITTEN & PRODUCED BY ME. WRITTEN, & PRODUCED BY @jonathanmena SOUND DESIGN: @traekay GFX: @designdon *SUBSCRIBE, RATE, & COMMENT. LINK IN BIO!* For the last six months my team and I been building an audio universe, creating an experience that mirrors my acclaimed Docuseries Rich in The Hood. Infamy is a scripted podcast that will chronicle the lives of the underworld’s most infamous. Stories of the past, and present will feature on this show. This is a journey we’ll all be taking together. Listen to the trailer, and stay tuned for tomorrow’s premiere.

RAFAEL PEREZ. 2000. “TRAINING DAY” LOS ANGELES. *HISTORY & RESEARCH* FOLLOW @infamypod *LISTEN TO INFAMY PODCAST OUT NOW, LINK IN BIO FOR RAFAEL PEREZ EPISODE* *SUBSCRIBE, RATE, & COMMENT* Rafael Perez is the inspiration behind Alonzo Harris on Training Day. His likeness was studied by Denzel Washington. Rafael Perez became an undercover cop on the N*rcotics unit. Perez’ first couple years on the force he was recognized for being an honest cop, until things took a turn in 1995. Perez was assigned to the C.R.A.S.H unit, a unit which focused on dismantling g*ngs in LA. Perez’ unit began seizing d*ug money from busts, and kept a fraction of the profits for themselves. They would orchestrate illegal searches and hand out phony arrest warrants. Perez also participated in planting d*ugs and w*apons on d*ug dealers and g*ng members. Because Perez was decorated as an officer, his arrests were never questioned and convictions fell through. Perez resold stolen n*rcotics, from the streets and the evidence locker at work. He had girlfriends in the Rampart Blvd area resell the work on the streets. Perez used his profits to gift himself an upscale lifestyle for him and his family. As Perez continued growing in his corruption, he would sh*ot g*ng members unhinged. His former partner on the force David Mack, introduced him to Suge Knight in the Death Row days, where he became Suge’s private security detail on his off days. Perez was busted by the LAPD in 1998 for stealing d*ugs, and began cooperating against his partners so his second wife wouldn’t get convicted. Over 100 convictions that were handed out were overturned as a result of Perez’ corruption, and was sentenced to five years in prison for the stolen d*ugs. A new case came up with Javier Ovando, an 18 street g*ng member who Perez wrongfully s*ot and paralyzed, which resulted in a 23 year sentence Ovando had to serve due to a false testimony. Ovando was awarded $15 Million. Perez served two years for that crime, and is now a free man. #history #education #explore #reels #explorepage

JAKE ROBLES, ALTON MCDONALD, MARION KNIGHT, GEORGE WILLIAMS, HENRY SMITH. 1995. “BIG JAKE” “BUNTRY” “SUGE” “GEORGIE RU” “HEN DOG” MOB P*RU. COMPTON. FOLLOW @infamypod & LISTEN TO SEASON 1 LINK IN BIO. When Death Row was established, Suge aligned himself further with the Mob P*rus, growing close to his affiliates pictured. Death Row although a talented label, was heavily dependent on intimidation, and played off of its ties to the streets of Compton. The death of Big Jake, is touted as the initial spark to the East Coast V. West Coast beef. Big Jake died during an argument with Anthony “Wolf” Jones, a once close affiliate of Sean “Puffy” Combs who was k*lled in 2003. Wolf’s friend s*ot and k*lled Jake, which has been credited as the beginning of the beef, after Suge looked at Puff and said “this is all your fault.” Buntry was one of Suge’s closest friends and bodyguard. He was one of the sh*oters who s*ot back at Tupac’s k*llers in Las Vegas. Buntry was k*lled on Rosecrans while pumping gas in April 2002. George Williams, was one of the most feared members of the P*rus, and acted as Suge’s bodyguard as well as H*tman when necessary. George fell out with Suge, as he felt he deserved more than what he was getting. Suge told him to return two vehicles, which George refused to do, prompting a war after Suge placed a bounty on his head. George in return turned his back on Suge for good and went to war with the Mob. Hen Dog, the last one pictured, was the creator of the Death Row logo, and was k*lled in a drive-by on October 16, 2002. It is alleged he was k*lled after asking Suge for his money and rights. Everyone in this photo but George is d*ad or in prison, George was sentenced to life in prison but was released after his conviction was overturned. More info coming soon on these men. #losangeles #history #explore #explorepage #culture

@neckbone_1

MARION “SUGE” KNIGHT. TUPAC SHAKUR. K-DUB. RICK JAMES (NOT THE SINGER) MOB P*RU FRUIT TOWN 1996. COMPTON, CALIFORNIA. *INFAMY SEASON 2 DROPS MAY 26! LINK IN BIO. SUBSCRIBE, RATE & COMMENT* The dynamic of Death Row Records and its powerful presence of the Bl**ds led to the demise of the legendary yet short lived label soon after Tupac’s death in September of 1996. Death Row represented the West Coast at a pivotal period in Hip-Hop’s then early adulthood. With all the accolades and moments etched in history, certain elements of the streets attached itself to legitimacy, creating issues. Tupac’s complexities and love for community often placed him in situations he should’ve avoided, but after his 1995 incarceration and Suge showing up for him, he felt he owed Suge nothing but Loyalty; no matter the cost. #history #music #culture #explore explorepag

WILLIAM UNDERWOOD. “BILL” MICHAEL JACKSON. “KING OF POP” GRAMMYS NIGHT. 1984. HARLEM. GARY, INDIANA. This is the same night Michael won 8 Grammys. Bill Underwood was a highly respected manager in the entertainment business, who once ran a drug enterprise in Harlem named The Vigilantes before going legit. Bill was closely affiliated with New Edition, Guy, & Keith Sweat. After several years of inactivity in the streets, his case file was closed in 1986. In 1988, Bill was thrown into a narcotics conspiracy; which landed him in prison for over 30 years beginning in 1990. Bill is now a free man. #michaeljackson #michael #history #explore #explorepage

NASIR JONES. “NASTY NAS” “ESCO” “NAS” 1994. QUEENSBRIDGE. Today is the 32nd anniversary of Illmatic. #reels #explore #explorepage #history #culture

DAMSON IDRIS. ISAIAH JOHN. “FRANKLIN SAINT” “LEON SIMMONS” 1990. (SNOWFALL TIMELINE) 2023. SOUTH CENTRAL, LOS ANGELES. *LISTEN TO INFAMY PODCAST OUT NOW LINK IN BIO* Franklin pays for his sins as he attempts to relinquish the memories of the glory days by drinking relentlessly. He spends the remainder of the 80s defeated, and hopeless due to the sudden loss of his fortune, and the breakdown of his family on his quest to retrieve the funds. Just seven years prior, he was a 19 year old kid from South Central, who got lucky and became the biggest kingpin in Los Angeles; all with the help of his family, friends, and a forced CIA connection due to his kidnapping at the hands of Teddy McDonald in Season 2. Franklin loses himself in greed and power, vowing to be nothing like his former alcoholic father Alton, who exposes Franklin’s secret with hopes to save his life. Leon finds redemption after k*lling a child on accident during a sh**tout in Gardena, and becomes enlightened on history and legislation. Here Leon returns to South Central, only to find Franklin at his worst. This finale sparked many conversations on what alternate ending Snowfall creators could’ve given Franklin, three years later I now believe this was fitting. #reels #explorepage #history #culture #explore

ROLAND “WEE-BEY” BRICE. DE’LONDA. 2006. (THE WIRE SEASON 4) BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. *LISTEN TO INFAMY PODCAST LINK IN BIO. SUBSCRIBE, RATE & COMMENT* This iconic scene shows the changed mindset Wee-Bey developed as he was serving his life sentence in prison. Earlier in the season we see him coaching his son Namond, one of Season 4’s protagonists, on how to maneuver and stay alive in the streets of Baltimore. Enabling Wee-Bey and Namond was De’Londa, Namond’s mother, who benefited off of Wee-Bey’s time in the streets. De’Londa wants Namond to be a force as Wee-Bey was, but in the season we see that Namond wants to go a different route, upon receiving mentorship from Bunny Colvin. Bunny Colvin’s visit to the prison to tell Wee-Bey he sees more for Namond, and that Namond has unlimited potential, led Wee-Bey to have this conversation with De’Londa, after she kicked Namond out the house. Season 4 highlights the psychological, mental and emotional turmoil young kids go through growing up in America’s inner cities. Some kids are bred in the game from young, or aspire to be as their OG’s were because that’s all they knew. Wee-Bey saw that, and decided it was time for a change. #reels #tv #explore #explorepage #history

ERMIAS ASGHEDOM. 2017. “NIPSEY HUSSLE” “HUSSLE THA GREAT” “LIL THUNDERCAT” SOUTH CENTRAL, LOS ANGELES. *HISTORY & RESEARCH* FOLLOW @infamypod TO LISTEN TO SEASON 1. In the first few seconds of this video, Nip is walking in the same place where he lost his life two years after this video was made. Nip, his brother Blacc Sam, and the late Bolt Da Fatts came together and created the foundation for what we now know as “The Marathon” brand. Aside from his eventual rise in Hip-Hop, what cements Nip’s legacy in the culture is his entrepreneurial spirit, and the belief he had in his community. Unfortunately Nip’s long term dreams were cut short at this same plaza where hard work and dedication paid off. #history #culture #reels #explore #explorepage

DEHAVEN IRBY, & SHAWN “JAY-Z” CARTER. 1988. MARCY PROJECTS. BED-STUY, BROOKLYN. *FOLLOW MY NEW TRUE CRIME PODCAST: @infamypod *INFAMY PODCAST OUT NOW LINK IN BIO* DeHaven and Jay grew up together in Marcy, living in the same building. DeHaven is one year older than Jay and considered him as a little brother. Before their fallout Jay was DeHaven’s daughter Godfather. One night DeHaven and Jay went uptown to get work from their plug, after picking up 450 grams they were bum-rushed. DeHaven managed to distract the gunman allowing Jay to get out of the way from harm’s danger. When DeHaven finally caught up with Jay, he noticed he couldn’t breathe. Jay didn’t know DeHaven was s*ot, until they were looking for bullet wounds and DeHaven put his finger in one of the holes. They waved down a cab, and DeHaven gave Jay all their work and money, told him to get his mother, and meet him at the hospital. Jay did everything DeHaven asked him to do. Sometime down the line they had caught a case together, DeHaven got locked up and Jay was free. DeHaven claims Jay just left him to figure out the situation himself, because of the misunderstanding Jay said DeHaven snitched. They haven’t been friends since. #history #jayz #culture #rap #explore

SOUTH OZONE PARK. QUEENS. 1980s. *HISTORY & RESEARCH* *FOLLOW @infamypod TO LISTEN TO LORENZO “FAT CAT” NICHOLS EPISODE, LINK IN BIO* #history #education #culture #reels #explore