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In the 1990’s Hip-Hop was at its peak. The West Coast was coming off of a hot streak that started in the late 80’s through 1993 and NY was in the process of recreating it’s sound from the old school.
It’s 1993, a year after Juice came out, Tupac is on his high horse. The movie was successful, and in February 93 his Sophomore Album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. was released. I love this album a lot I can’t find it on vinyl.
Because of the Juice film, Pac spent a lot of time on the East Coast again in New York City, where he grew up for awhile in Harlem from 1971-1986 (he’s really a New Yorker for real) before relocating to Baltimore then Oakland CA.
During his time in New York he befriended popular street figures from the boroughs. Notably Jimmy Henchman and Haitian Jack. Both from Brooklyn’s Vanderveer Projects.
We’ll start off with Haitian Jack, the Double Agent for the FBI.
Haitian Jack migrated to Brooklyn from Haiti during the 1970’s. Being a Haitian-American I’ve always heard during that time being Haitian in America was rough cause it was constant ridicule. And Jack used to get bullied, the experience turned him into a monster in the streets.
Jack’s parents were very well off in Haiti and often hung out with the Infamous Haitian Ruler Papa Doc Duvalier (pictured below).
Part of the Haitian culture is being very upscale, even if you don’t have anything to account for it you still hold yourself to a high standard. Despite his street endeavors, he carried himself a certain kind of way.
Here is Jack in 1981 during the Pre-Crack Era.
Jimmy Henchman is also Haitian, he wasn’t born in Haiti like Jack was; his parents migrated to the states in the 60’s. Jimmy wasn’t the flashy type, he put on this nerd persona so he wouldn’t bring much attention upon himself. Both men were very feared in New York. On the left
As I stated in my previous thread Jimmy ran a block on Rikers Island as an adolescent, so that says enough about the kind of person he was. The section he ran was filled with predominantly Caribbean inmates.
Jack developed a street reputation by doing robberies, and for putting pressure on people physically if things didn’t go his way. One of his close associates was Tut, (pictured below) from Cypress Hill Projects in Brooklyn. Good dude. Tut was very feared in Brooklyn. On the left.
With that being said, Pac needed to strengthen his reputation on the East Coast as he was tested a few times in the hoods he roamed in. So he decided to get with Jack and Jimmy.
In 1994, the East Coast was dominating the airways again with the release of Ready to Die. Pac was in LA and heard about Big so he flew out to Brooklyn. They performed together. Big introduced Jack to Pac.
So far so good y’all keeping up?
Pac loved Jack’s street credibility and he admired the kind of power Jack had. Jack felt like rappers owed him their respect because they were speaking about a life he actually lived. Him and Pac clicked quickly.
Jack was providing Tupac with everything he wanted, Weed, Cars, Jewelry, Women. Pac had his own money though and would pay the tab whenever they went out.
It was during that time Jack was seeing Madonna, I don’t know if they were serious or not but they were close enough. Some say he was her coke supplier. I’ll come back to her though she’s important in some of this too.
Back to Jimmy, Jimmy was always in the mix so eventually Pac linked up with him too. And Jimmy obviously already knew Jack cause they were from the same Projects. There are no pictures of Jimmy and Pac together. Jimmy is pictured on the right.
Jack was wild, Jimmy was more of an introvert; played it safe and always had eyes out. Him, Jack, and Pac were in a car and got stopped by cop while Pac happened to be carrying. Jimmy got pissed and told him never bring a gun around him again cause people know what’s up.
They ended up getting away scotch-free too.
Jack also owned various barbershops and clubs around ‘93. So he was cashing out every night.
Jack was still known for his robbing days in Brooklyn, and allegedly took Diddy’s $10,000 watch off his wrist.
It was around this time that the rape allegations against Pac came to light. Pac and Jack were at the club and Jack tells the girl to top off Pac. She does, Pac takes her back to the hotel along with Jack and the crew.
They do whatever and then falls asleep, she wakes up and starts going nuts. She thought Pac raped her, but obviously he didn’t. Pac is confused. I think they show that in the movie too.
Both Jack and Pac get arrested and they hire two top notch lawyers to handle their cases. Haitian Jack was offered a six month plea deal and Pac had to be taken to trial. With that being said he’s thinking that Jack snitched on him.
Pac sort of implies that he was set up since he wasn’t the only one in the hotel room. This sets Jack off.
Continues here. https://twitter.com/_valtown_/status/951746212906045440?s=21
