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Police Want Rapping Firefighter Fired

Tuesday, April 17, 2007



(04-17) 09:57 PDT PHILADELPHIA, (AP) --


Police union officials have called for the immediate firing of a city firefighter and aspiring rapper who wrote anti-police lyrics about turning "pigs into bacon bits."


The Fraternal Order of Police on Monday demanded the dismissal of Rodney Jean-Jacques, who raps under the name Cal Akbar.


"I got a surprise for them cops," Jean-Jacques raps, as sounds of gunfire erupt in the background. "I hope the news is taping this, 'cause I'm gonna turn pigs into bacon bits."


The untitled song surfaced last week on a Web site promoting Jean-Jacques' record "Sin City Vol. 1" and his record company, the Larsiny Family.


Bob Eddis, president of the local FOP chapter, said he gave Jean-Jacques a deadline of midnight Sunday to provide a written apology that the police union could post on its Web site, but none came.


"I think at first it might have been a mistake of the head," Eddis said. "But now I believe it's a mistake of the heart. It's a disgrace. He is a city employee and he should be held accountable for making these statements."


Brian McBride, head of the Philadelphia Fire Fighters Union Local 22, said officials were hoping Jean-Jacques would issue an apology soon and that he was trying to get Jean-Jacques to do so.


"Naturally, I condemn and strongly disagree with any song that recommends any kind of violence towards our brothers and sisters in blue in the police department," McBride said.


Jean-Jacques told the Philadelphia Daily News via e-mail: "Mum's the word. I want to tell my side of the story but I can't just yet. I have to clear it with my superiors."


Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers would not comment other than to say the matter is under investigation.


Joe Grace, spokesman for Mayor John Street, said union officials and the police and fire commissioners were discussing the issue and "all parties are taking it very seriously."


Jean-Jacques' music received positive notice in 2005, when he wrote and performed "Take It Outside," a song encouraging fire safety. The song was promoted by the Fire Department and was shown during the broadcast of a football game between the Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.

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