Bobby Shmurda delves into his complex upbringing and the profound impact of his father’s incarceration.
His father, a reputed figure in Miami’s street scene during the ’90s, received a staggering 120-year prison sentence on robbery and assault convictions, shaping Shmurda’s early years significantly. Born in Brooklyn’s East Flatbush area, Shmurda grew up amid the harsh realities of street life, with dealers as his early role models. He reflects on selling narcotics from a young age, viewing it as a forced necessity rather than a choice, driven by his environment and circumstances. He highlights how the absence of his father necessitated a premature journey into adulthood, instilling a unique understanding of life, which he often channels into his music.
Bobby Shmurda spoke with VladTV about his tumultuous upbringing, including a pivotal arrest at the age of 12. Growing up in Brooklyn’s 90s neighborhood, Shmurda candidly described his early encounters with the law and a life steeped in adversity. At just 12 years old, Shmurda was arrested. This run-in with the police wasn’t his first taste of trouble, as Shmurda had already been familiar with street life, influenced by older individuals in his community. Against a backdrop of adversity, he reminisces about his difficult childhood characterized by frequent school expulsions and clashes with authority. His mother’s disapproval and the threat of harsher consequences became a turning point, prompting Shmurda to reflect on his choices.
Bobby Shmurda also opened up about his tumultuous teenage years, marked by a period on the run. Shmurda, renowned for his hit “Hot N***a,” revealed that from ages 14 to 16, between 2009 and 2011, he was evading law enforcement due to a gun case. During this time, he navigated a dangerous lifestyle, associating with friends who shared similar predicaments. Shmurda relayed tales of survival, sharing how he was caught up in a probation violation that led him to jail in 2011. His troubles didn’t end there; when he was briefly released, he found himself back behind bars a day later due to another gun-related incident. Reflecting on the challenges of the streets during his youth, Shmurda noted the differences in surveillance and safety over the years, warning against the risks of such a lifestyle today.