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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 01:50 pm: | 
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REAL TALK: DAMON MEADOWS a.k.a. “AMIN”
HICKSON: “GHETTOHEAT®!”
Recording: “This is a call from a federal prison. This is a prepaid call. You won’t be charged for the call from:
‘Amin’. Press ‘5’ to accept.” HICKSON accepts the call.
HICKSON: Well, well, well, look what the cat done dragged in (Laughs), what’s poppin’, Amin?
AMIN: I’m fine, all praise due to ALLAH. What’s up with you?
HICKSON: You know the deal, Amin, same hustle, different day. Hey, glad to know you finally made your way out of “the hole.” Amin, tell the people why you were recently placed in a segregated housing unit.
AMIN: I was placed in the hole for false accusations of being a dictator! The administration said that I was telling the Muslims what to do and what not to do!
HICKSON: How long have you been a Muslim? What made you practice under the faith of ALLAH?
AMIN: I’ve been a Muslim now for over seventeen years. I grew up in a deeply rooted Christian family, but when I became older and started asking questions, no one had the answers. From the preacher on down to my mother, they’d just say things like, “Jesus loves you” or “that’s how it’s always been,” or would beat me for thinking that I was trying to be smart by challenging them. Most Christians don’t even call on GOD anymore; they’ve raised Jesus status to GOD or part of GOD. But in Islam, all power and all might is kept to the CREATOR/ALLAH, not a man!
HICKSON: So you’re the Imam of the Sunni Muslims within the federal prison where you’re based at, Amin, explain to the people your position as the Imam, what it all entails, your responsibilities, as well as how long you’ve been placed as the leader amongst the Muslim brothers.
AMIN: Yes, I’m the Imam which means I’m the leader of the Muslims here. My position entails giving the Khutbab (Religious talk) on Jumu’ah (Friday prayer), making sure we have Qur’ans and study books, checking with the Shariefs (Muslim security) to make sure everything is fine on the other blocks concerning the Muslims, teaching classes and dealing with the administration on Muslims’ affairs to make sure they buy us the little we do get. I also invite people to learn and accept Islam. But my most important responsibility is to lead by example! I’ve been in this position for a while now!
HICKSON: I see. How is one chosen to become the Imam?
AMIN: The Imam is chosen based on what the Prophet Muhammad, “Peace and blessings upon HIM,” said! Prophet Muhammad, “Peace and blessings upon HIM” said: “The one who recites the book of ALLAH (The Qur’an) most should be the Imam of the people. If they are equal in the recitation, then the one who knows the Sunnah (Muhammad’s, “Peace and blessings upon HIM,” example as indicated by HIS, “Peace and blessings upon HIM,” practice of the faith) most, and if they are equal in the Sunnah, then the earliest of them to emigrate (When the Muslims moved from Makkah to Al-Madina, which is the first Islamic city) and if they are equal in the emigration, then the oldest among them in Islam. That’s how the Imam is chosen.
HICKSON: To give the people a clearer understanding, your position is exactly like the character Said on the HBO series, OZ, right?
AMIN: I don’t know because I’ve never seen OZ before, they took HBO off the TVs in here, and that’s only a TV show—Islam is portrayed wrong on television 99% of the time!
HICKSON: Amin, you must deal with a lot being the Imam, more-or-less, being a Muslim in prison period. Have you ever experienced racism and/or discrimination from any of the prison’s administration, staff, correctional officers, or had any issues or altercations with any White hate groups; such as the Aryan Nation?
AMIN: Yes, since 9/11 and this Home Land security in affect, they’ve been having their foot on our necks! I don’t want to go into it over this phone since they’re listening to all my calls! Don’t be surprised if Jason Poole calls and tell you that I’m back in the hole tomorrow! (Laughs).
HICKSON: Well, I already knew that they were listening to my conversations when you and Jason call my cell phone, but as of last June, all of my phone conversations outside of you two have been monitored also, (Pause) but it’s all good, I have nothing to hide, I’m a legitimate businessman, go ahead, Amin.
AMIN: As far as the White hate groups such as the Aryan Brotherhood, we all deal with each other on a respect level. They keep it respectable, we keep it respectable. If they cross the line, we make sure that the situation never happens again! “If ALLAH wills!”
HICKSON: You mentioned that a lot of pressure was placed on you during the 9/11 tragedy while you were in prison, were you looked at differently as a Muslim during this time? Did you get the suspicious stares or mistreated back then?
AMIN: Yes, many people may look at us differently because of the false propaganda of the media about Muslims. They use words like terrorist or extremist when describing Muslims, when in fact Islam forbids terrorism and being an extremist. But the Muslims are strong and deep in most prisons, so people might not like us, but they won’t jump out there! “All praise due to ALLAH.”
HICKSON: What does your name mean in Arabic? Do you speak the language?
AMIN: My name means truthful, trustworthy, and faithful. And no, I don’t speak conversational Arabic, but I know how to recite the Qur’an and basic sayings in Arabic—“All praise due to ALLAH”.
HICKSON: I’ve noticed a lot of dudes, especially in my travels to your hometown of Philly, wear their pants shortened at the ankles. Is that a Philly thing? If not, then explain; what’s the deal with the high-waters?
AMIN: (Laughs loudly) No, that’s not a Philly thing. ALLAH says in the Qur’an: “And whatsoever the Messenger Muhammad, ‘Peace and blessings upon HIM’, gives you, take it; and whatsoever HE forbids you, abstain from it. And fear ALLAH; verily, ALLAH is severe in punishment. (Surah 59:7) Prophet Muhammad, “Peace and blessings upon HIM” said: “Anything below the ankles is in the fire!” So with that said, it’s a Muslim thing! (Laughs). Philly is known as “Baby Makkah”, because there are so many Muslims. We even set the trends in Philly for the Kufars (Nonbelievers). You’ll see them wearing the full facial long beards, women wearing the khimar (Head cover), wearing pants above the ankles, etc. “All praise due to ALLAH.”
HICKSON: Excuse my ignorance, but do you wear your pants shortened in prison?
AMIN: Yes, all of my pants and sweats are tailored, but the administration is trying to stop us from doing that too!
HICKSON: Seems like the administration is very busy over there. Amin, how often do you offer Salat? (Muslim prayer) Can you discuss the meetings you conduct with your Muslim brothers?
AMIN: I offer Salat (Muslim prayer) five times a day, not including voluntary prayer. They’ve stopped us from praying in congregation, so now we can only pray together on Jumu’ah (Friday prayer) unless two Muslims are staying in a cell together, then they’re allowed to pray together. That’s another reason why we all try to be cellies with each other.
HICKSON: Amin, let’s talk about your conviction and life in Philly in the ‘90s. So, you were arrested in ’93 at the age of twenty-one, your first offense. Officially considered a man at twenty-one, arrested for the first time in your life, and you’re sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Amin, take us back in time to that point, what was going through your head when you heard your sentencing from the judge when you went to trial?
AMIN: First of all, HICKSON, I was officially a man before I was twenty-one years old! (Laughs) I’m the youngest person on a fourteen men and one female indictment. Only three of us went to trial, and the female took a plea, but held her water.
HICKSON: Okay.
AMIN: On the second day of trial, things were looking ugly for me. A few of the snitches got beat badly right outside the courthouse.
HICKSON: (Snickers) Really? (Snickers again) I’m sorry, proceed.
AMIN: The prosecutor tried to convince the judge that I ordered my people to intimidate all of the government witnesses. Then there was a fight in the courtroom because my people were there, as well as some of the snitches family.
HICKSON: That’s a damn, shame, all of you Negroes up in the courtroom fighting. Amin, this sounds like a scenario from Jerry Springer; continue.
AMIN: The whole trial was intense because South Philly is so small, so we all know each other. My trial broke up a lot of families bonds in our hood! My co-defendant, George Littles a.k.a. “Poppa Smurf”, was sixty-three years old at the time we went to trial. I begged him to testify against me because the prosecutor offered him five years supervised release to do so. I didn’t and still don’t want “Poppa Smurf” to die in prison. But he got very upset at me and said: “I have to look at myself in the mirror everyday, not you!” They gave “Poppa Smurf” twenty-two years for nothing!
HICKSON: What? Damn, that’s unfortunate.
AMIN: When I received that life sentence without the possibility of parole, I was determined to get my freedom back! I put my trust and faith in ALLAH, because ALLAH is in total control of everything. They planned for me to die in prison, but ALLAH is the best of planners!
HICKSON: You could’ve copped a plea for lesser time, Amin, why didn’t you?
AMIN: Because they literally didn’t have any physical evidence against me. No drugs from me, no phone tap, no pictures, nothing but rats testifying. Plus, they wanted me to cooperate, and you know that’s just not even an option!
HICKSON: Relax; I was just testing you, seeing if you really lived by the code of the streets. Now, let’s rewind back to life in Philadelphia in the ‘90s. Tell the people about your life on the streets, what were you dealing your set-up, if you will.
AMIN: I got introduced to the game in 1987 when you had to be somebody, or be with somebody to sell drugs. Not like today where anybody can get some drugs and sell. I’m from South Philly where it’s well-known throughout the city that we go hard, and we aren’t going for nothing!
HICKSON: I hear what goes down in “Illadelphia.”
AMIN: South Philly is the only part of the city where the J.B.M. (Junior Black Mafia) couldn’t put their thing down! But I don’t like to glorify the drug game because the pros never outweigh the cons! I’m in here with some of the biggest drug dealers from around the world, but we can only spend $290 each month in commissary, get only three-hundred minutes each month on the phone, and all of our families are suffering one way or another because of our absence.
HICKSON: When you were out there in the streets hustling in the early ‘90’s, were you a Muslim then?
AMIN: Yes.
HICKSON: Well, how could you consider yourself a true righteous Muslim back then if you were selling drugs? Doesn’t that contradict everything that your faith is based on, including the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad? Please explain.
AMIN: I was a Muslim back in those days, but only by words. As are a lot of the youth today, and I say that because due to my ignorance of Islam back then, I was doing almost everything that ALLAH forbids! It wasn’t until I was put in prison that I learned what true Islam is and what it isn’t! For the record, I don’t follow Elijah Muhammad, Farrakhan, Drew Ali, 5-Percent, Ibn Laden or Saddam Hussein. I follow true Islam!
HICKSON: Speak on it, Brother Amin. Teach the people!
AMIN: The Qur’an was sent to Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, “Peace and blessings upon HIM”, who’s from Saudi Arabia, over 1400 years ago. He, “Peace and blessings upon HIM”, was the last prophet and messenger for all mankind until the Day of Judgement. So I follow the Qur’an, which are the actual words of ALLAH, and the Sunnah, which are the sayings, actions and approvals of Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, “Peace and blessings upon HIM”, with the understanding of the Salaf As-Saalih, who were the Muslims of the first three generations.
HICKSON: Let’s talk about you now being the co-author of the new controversial book, CONVICT’S CANDY, which you’ve written with Jason Poole, Essence best-selling author of, LARCENY while placed in federal prison. I was told by Jason months back that it was actually your idea to write the book. Amin, what made you want to write a book that deals with prostitution, sexual identity, transgender and homosexuality in prison, as well as the HIV/AIDS virus crisis?
AMIN: I’ve been in prison for over thirteen years, realizing that people on the outside don’t have a clue about the harsh realities of prison; that in turn, affects everyone—homosexuality, HIV/AIDS transmissions. I have a wonderful mother, two beautiful daughters, as well as other women in my family, and it’s over a fifty percent chance that they’ll marry or have sex with a man who’s been in prison; at least once in his life. Who’s to say if he didn’t become weak at one time, or that he comes out while in prison, but protects his secret when released? Knowing that the code of silence is “what happens in prison stays in prison.” As a Muslim, I have the obligation to protect women. Even though there are a small percentage of men in here “on the low,” any percentage is too much. That’s another reason why the book is titled, CONVICT’S CANDY with an apostrophe “s” and not in the plural sense, because the majority of us are holding firm to our integrity! “All praise due to ALLAH”. We all really need to holla at Congress about implementing conjugal visits! “If ALLAH wills”.
HICKSON: I see you’re very passionate about this issue. Hey, have you been ridiculed or questioned by any of your Muslim brothers by writing about homosexuality, considering you and Jason Poole are both straight? Especially you being not only a Muslim, but the Imam, did you receive a lot of slack for writing CONVICT’S CANDY?
AMIN: No, because Jason and I are well-respected individuals throughout the entire B.O.P. (Bureau of Prisons). Also, before we even started interviewing the transsexuals, I talked with the brothers, letting them know about the book that I was writing and that I would be conducting interviews with transsexuals out in the open—just to eliminate any doubt! The brothers understand the overall message we’re getting out there because they have women to protect.
HICKSON: Isn’t it considered a Haram (Prohibition) for Muslims to have any contact and affiliations with gays? Amin, will you get any fire from your Muslim brothers for even dealing with me, considering that I’m gay?
AMIN: That’s not really true because we still have to call gays to Islam. In prison, the worst thing a person can be is a snitch or a homosexual, but in Islam, the worst thing a person can do is commit a Shirk (Associating partners with ALLAH). By saying Jesus is GOD (ALLAH) or he’s the son of GOD (ALLAH), believing GOD (ALLAH) is in you, etc., ALLAH forgives every sin except Shirk, to whom HE wills. So if any person becomes a Muslim sincerely, they’re forgiven for all of their past sins. And we can do business with gays, as I’m doing business with you. You keep it professional, and I thank you for that!
HICKSON: Keep it one-hundred, Amin, how do you really feel about gays and others living alternative lifestyles? And don’t front, tell the people the truth!
AMIN: I’ve learned a lot about people having alternative lifestyles while writing CONVICT’S CANDY. I use to think it was all about sex, but it’s not. I’m not homophobic because I’m very secure with my manhood. In Islam we love and hate in moderation—
HICKSON: I was going to ask you to explain that—
AMIN: Prophet Muhammad, “Peace and blessings upon HIM” said: ‘Love the one whom you love in moderation, perhaps one day he will be one whom you hate, and hate the one you hate in moderation, perhaps one day he will be the one whom you love”. I hate the acts people having alternative lifestyles commit, but I don’t hate you or any or gay person personally!
HICKSON: Well, I would hope not, Amin, because I’m not having it! I don’t tolerate hatred or any type of disrespect from anyone—anyone! And not I’m not asking for anyone’s respect, it’s just going to be given—period! Either you accept me for who I am, or keep it movin’! (Pause) Anyway (Exhales, pauses), have you personally witnessed any homosexual activities between any brothers within your facility?
AMIN: Are you asking about Muslim brothers or brothers in general? Because my concerns are for the Muslims only, and if I hear or see something suspicious, I send my Sharief (Muslim security) to investigate. If we find a brother is involved in any homosexual acts, he’s getting dealt with immediately!
HICKSON: (Sucks teeth loudly in disgust) Whatever! Amin, let’s get through the rest of my questions before your phone time expires and before you begin to get on my nerves. (Pauses) In CONVICT’S CANDY, you have a character named, “Trigger” who displays major aggression and animosity towards the transsexual, “Candy.” In real-life, do you see this often within the facility you’re based in? What’s your take on brothers who have extreme aggression towards others who live alternative lifestyles?
AMIN: Yes, I’ve seen that in every prison I’ve been to. They feel insecure around gays, but it’s supposed to be the opposite. Each interview we had with transsexuals, all of them said the same thing. That one of the signs of a “trade” (A masculine man, usually appearing as straight, who secretly indulges in a person with an alternative lifestyle) is that he feels he has to prove his manhood in front of heterosexual men.
HICKSON: Without giving too much of the book, “Trigger” is allegedly a real-life rap star who was in one of the correctional facilities you and Jason Poole were based in, correct?
AMIN: Oh, yes!
HICKSON: Care to share anything about his sexuality while being in prison, allegedly?”
AMIN: “Trigger” is a real-life rapper who we all see daily on B.E.T. and other video shows daily! The music industry is such an illusion, all a person has to do is look hard, brag about how many times you got shot and try to start beefs with everybody! While all along you were a trade, sneaking around while you were locked up, “allegedly”!
HICKSON: Oh, I’m far from surprised. There are many people within the music industry, whether big rap stars and record executives, or other major power players behind the scenes who I know who are gay or bisexual, so this isn’t news to me—
AMIN: But everything is finally coming to the light concerning this fake nigga, “allegedly”! By the way, congratulations to Chris and Irv Gotti, and keep doing your thing, Joe “Crack”! (Laughs loudly).
HICKSON: Amin, you are something else (Pauses, snickers); I’m not even going to go there. Let’s swing back to Philly in the ‘80s, what made you turn to life on the streets? Where were you when you got arrested?
AMIN: Back in the late ‘80s, like most young men, I was attracted to the lifestyle of the old heads that were getting money, and I wanted in! The nice cars, the jewels, the clothes and the women that came with having status in Philly. Having that status at such a young age was unbelievable, so when I see these young guys like Bow Wow and Lil’ Wayne ballin’ out-of-control, I know how they feel, but mine was cut short by the life sentence they gave me!
HICKSON: When I first received your manuscript of CONVICT’S CANDY, Amin, you’d included some pictures of you and at that time, a female companion hugging intimately, who was dressed in Muslim garb, adorned with a khimar (Headdress). When I first looked at the pictures, I said to myself, “What a cute couple.” Yet, as I looked closely at the pictures, I realized that the woman in the photo with you was Teri Woods, the successful publisher and author of the ground-breaking book, True To The Game. Care to talk about your past affiliation and relationship you had with her? Please know that I’m not trying to put Teri Woods on blast, because I really don’t know her. We met each other once at a party for Mary J. Blige that was given by Vibe at the Supper Club in 2002. I’m just curious as to know of you and Teri Woods’ affiliation, let’s talk about it, Brother Amin!
AMIN: You all know her as Teri Woods, but her name is “Amina”; that’s her Muslim name. We were very much a couple, and were to be married—
HICKSON: Married?!
AMIN: Married right after I won my first appeal, but the judge only took my sentence from life down to forty years, which is still a life sentence—which is too much time!
HICKSON: I’m still stuck on the fact that you two were getting married. (Pauses) Although I appreciate you being at GHETTOHEAT®, and we will produce more hits in the near future, I have to ask you this: Amin, honestly, why not sign with a big powerhouse as Teri Woods? Considering your past situation with her, wouldn’t it have been the best thing to do, signing with Teri Woods? Why are you here at GHETTOHEAT® instead?
AMIN: I see you’re trying to pull this out of me, HICKSON.
HICKSON: Is that what I’m doing?
AMIN: It wasn’t about business with “Amina” and I because we were together before either one of us had a book out. Now, when I won my first appeal in 1997, her book, True To The Game was just getting a buzz. After that, everything changed. At one time we shared common goals. Then our mission became separate. Mine being to keep fighting for freedom and being true to Islam, while hers was to focus on True To The Game. Once a person stops believing in me, I like to keep it that way! She severed the ties, not me! Why would I attempt to reunite those ties from a business perspective? More than likely it would’ve been a conflict of interest. Now that Allah has blessed me to have won my second appeal, which is really unheard of unless you’re snitching, my focus is on my career and getting some major paper. I’m here at GHETTOHEAT® because of the unbelievable deal you gave me!
HICKSON: I guess you know what side your bread is buttered on, huh? Did you help Teri up-start her publishing company?
AMIN: No, I didn’t help “Amina” start her publishing company; we went our separate ways before her success in the publishing game.
HICKSON: Do you think you were the inspiration for True To The Game?
AMIN: I was more than inspiration for the book, True To The Game. “Amina” and I go far back. At one time, it became so hard, that she’d “allegedly” pawned jewelry just to see me at U.S.P. Allenwood (Prison facility); because when we were together, she felt secure and knew that I fully supported her ambitions.
HICKSON: Real talk. Wow, the Imam of a federal prison, signed to GHETTOHEAT®, owned by a homo, what is this world coming to? (Laughs).
AMIN: It is what it is! (Laughs) Business is business, just make sure those checks are right, nigga! (Laughs louder).
HICKSON: (Laughs) Now, you know you’re out-of-pocket with that last statement. Business is always straight here! I don’t jerk my artists, you know better! So what’s next for Amin? What can the people expect from you at GHETTOHEAT®?
AMIN: I’m taking on issues and subjects that most people don’t want to discuss to another level for my readers, so expect the unexpected from Damon “Amin” Meadows—The Controversial Author. Hold up! I like that! (Laughs). My novels will be The Hotness In The Streets!!!™
HICKSON: Congratulations on your recent marriage, your moms told me the other day that you tied the knot. I’m shocked, knowing how much you l-o-v-e the ladies! (Laughs).
AMIN: Thank you very much. I now have a beautiful, lovely wife named, Natasha. “As-Salaamu-Alaikum”. I love her very much and may ALLAH reward her for believing and having patience with me.
HICKSON: GOD bless her! She must have great patience and be a strong woman to deal with you! (Laughs). Because you’re a hot mess! (Laughs). The phone is going to cut us off in a minute, quickly, is it true that Muslims are allowed to have multiple wives? If so, will you be getting married again anytime soon?
AMIN: Yes, Muslims are allowed to have up to four wives. That’s a blessing from ALLAH, and if society understood the wisdom behind the mercy behind ALLAH, we wouldn’t have all this fornication and adultery in the world! If ALLAH wills to bless me with another? “All praise due to Allah”.
HICKSON: Mmmph, mmmph, mmmph, you have a problem if I personally try to kick it with one dude, yet you’re about to have four wives. Amin, correction, you’re not a hot mess, you’re a full and complete hot mess! (Sucks teeth loudly in disgust) As-Salaamu-Alaikum, Brother Amin.
AMIN: (Laughs loudly) Wa’laikum! (Laughs louder).
Phone automatically cuts off.
H I C K S O N
CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, SKATE ON!, HOODFELLAZ, BIG PIMPIN’, HARDER & SONZ OF DARKNESS
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