Shooting and Provocations: NBA Ben 10 at the Center of Violence in Houston
A shooting inside the Confessions restaurant in Upper Kirby, Houston, put NBA rapper Ben 10 at the center of an escalation of violence, jewelry competition and public taunts that quickly spread through the rap scene and social media.
The case reportedly began during a birthday dinner of OG 3Three, NBA YoungBoy's brother and linked to the Never Broke Again label. According to reports from the Houston police investigation, NBA Ben 10 and another man identified as DeadEndRon allegedly tried to steal chains and jewelry from rapper AllStar JR inside the restaurant, which was full. The situation evolved into a physical fight and ended with shots fired inside the venue.
In the following days, the case ceased to be just a police case and began to gain strength on social networks. Back in Detroit, AllStar JR posted photos with new jewelry and captions that caught his eye, including the lines: “Had To Shoot To The D And Get New Ice Cuz My Mans Ben 10 Took Some Of My Stuff To The Hospital With Him😕🤨”
"I had to go to the area and buy new jewelry because my brother Ben 10 took some of my stuff to the hospital with him 😕🤨"
Shortly after, he released the track “Expensive Wrist Watch”, accompanied by a music video with direct references to the shooting and provocations directed at NBA Ben 10 and J Prince Jr. The backlash prompted J Prince Jr. to speak publicly in the stories, denying involvement in the incident, stating that he was only at the restaurant for OG 3Three's birthday and saying that he can barely walk due to knee surgery. He also wanted tojou amelioration to the wounded.
Between April 13 and 14, AllStar JR created a viral challenge offering $10,000 to participants who simulated being shot on the ground, which generated strong negative reaction on social media and amplified the controversy.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen ='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen 'mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwZR0MAPD88yQAU6nM7bl4Y9a58E7lt5jZ_AQsT7d22wMh73keNeuhtEXB4RH7ir27SDj6c9JVQALHt5Wuq9w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'>
In the following days, he released another track entitled “Mob Untied”, with new indirect references to those involved, keeping the tension active in the scene. NBA Ben 10 is still hospitalized. People close to him say that he is conscious, talking and is not paralyzed, but no official medical report came out. The police continue to investigate and have not yet reached a final conclusion.