Rapper Terrance Boykin, age 28 also known as "Bump J" of Chicago IL was arrested "earlier this week" in connection with robbing a Oak Park, IL Chase bank in January 2007. According to authorities during the bank robbery Boykin with an unknown assailant demanded money at gunpoint from the teller drawers and vault. The duo made off when an estimated $100,000 cash. The entire robbery was caught on surveillance.

According to the FBI Boykin has been on the run since September 2008 in a nationwide search for his capture. Boykin was captured in Carbondale, IL (323 miles south of Chicago) during a routine traffic stop. He was arrested without incident.

Boykin is most famously known for his 2004 smash hit "Move Around" which was produced by hip-hop star Kanye West. The song was featured on NFL Madden 2005 and a McDonalds commercial.

Boykin is currently being held without bond and will be returned to Chicago to face charges of bank robbery and violation of federal firearms statutes. If convicted Boykin can face up to 20 years in Federal Prison.

He is presumed innocent till proven guilty.

________________________________

In October 2006 I had a conversation with a police officer at a local police station. The officer took me to a "roll call room" where there was a pyramid chart set up of Bump J and his crew. According to the officer, there was a 3 year investigation into tons of charges against the rapper including racketeering, robbery, and drug distribution. It was very surprising to see such a thorough investigation being done on someone I considered one of the most talented rappers in Chicago at the time.

At the height of Bump J's career I remember him being one of the most highly anticipated rappers out of Chicago while signed to Atlantic Records in 2004 (album was never released). He worked closely with former Def Jam A&R Lyor Cohen, producer Kanye West, singer Rick James, and most recently rapper GLC. To see him hanging out around any part of Chicago was completely normal, and rumors of his criminal lifestyle didn't surprise even the most fearful citizens of Chicago. His motto "grimmeyville" was echoed throughout the streets of Chicago like a campaign speech.

I've ran into Bump J more than a dozen times, and I never understood why would somebody with his opportunities put himself in the same circle with people who didn't value anything, let alone life. My most recent memory of Bump was New Years 2007. He greeted me and a friend as he drove up in a $400,000 Rolls Royce Phantom. The irony of it all, is just several days later he allegedly robbed a bank.

Final Thought: Live within your means.