Enlightened Free Thinking Nubian Kings And Queens

Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham was an African American entertainer. Though best known as a comedian, Markham was also a singer, dancer, and actor. His nickname came from a stage routine, in which he declared himself to be "Sweet Poppa Pigmeat". Dewey Pigmeat Markham was born April 18, 1904 in Durham, North Carolina. His family was the most prominent on their street, which was later officially renamed Markham Street. Running away from home in 1918, Markham began his career in traveling music and burlesque shows. He took up with a white showman he ambiguously referred to over the years as "Mr. Booker" owner of a "gilly carnival."  For a time he was a member of Bessie Smith's Traveling Revue in the 1920s and later appeared on burlesque bills with such comedy legends as Milton Berle, Red Buttons, and Eddie Cantor. He claims to have originated the Truckin' dance which became nationally popular at the start of the 1930s. Markham performed ...

I ask myself why is it that rappers oftentimes name themselves after criminals. Is because the names of criminals already carries a certain notoriety or street fame in most cases?  50 Cent borrowed the his name from Kevin Darnell Martin  (July 24, 1964 – October 24, 1987.)  He was also known as 50 Cent. He was an American who grew up in the Bronx, New York but, later moved to Brooklyn, New York. He is primarily known as the inspiration for the rapper, 50 Cent.  Kelvin Martin was possibly known as '50 Cent' due to his reputation of being prepared to rob anyone, regardless of how much money they were carrying at the time. Another story is that it came from an incident when he entered a game of dice with a 50 cent stake and ended up walking away with $500. The n ickname  may also be an allusion to his physically tiny stature - he weighed only 120 pounds (54 kg) and his height was 5'2" (157 cm) He was shot on October 20, 1987 on the sta...