During the early 2000s, Beanie Sigel was the third best rapper on the Roc-a-Fella Records label behind Jay-Z and Kanye West. But after serving time in prison in 2005 for parole violation and the subsequent split of Roc-a-Fella founders Jay-Z, Dame Dash and Biggs, Beanie Sigel has struggled to recapture the success that he experienced on the albums The Truth and The Reason.
The Philly native must now face the IRS, which has charged him with income tax evasion. Authorities claim that Sigel made $1.5 million from his first two albums but failed to file income taxes. If Sigel is found guilty, it could lead to more time in prison and would be a tremendous blow to his financial future.
Unfortunately, Sigel has burned a prominent bridge by dissing his former labelmate, Jay-Z. Sigel became upset after Jay-Z failed to return his calls and shunned the Jigga Man at a concert in New York in 2009.
Sigel eventually released several diss records against Jay-Z. But unlike Nas’s “Ether,” the songs failed to create a significant buzz and eventually caused Sigel to alienate himself among the hip-hop elite who are likely to side with Jay-Z.
Without a record deal, legitimate rap crew or friend more powerful than Jay-Z, the 36-year-old Sigel’s best days as a rapper are likely behind him. –a.r.
