I don't mean to bag on Cypress Hill. I actually think they're pretty good. Problem is, very few hip hop artists manage to stay relevant (and therefore, profitable) for more than ten years or so. I'm figuring it's that lack of profitability that's driving this lawsuit.
Michael "Shagg" Washington is suing Rockstar Games, claiming that the protagonist of their game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Carl "C.J." Johnson), is based on Mr. Washington's visage and life story. Washington is seeking 25% percent of the game's profits, which amounts to something close to $250 million. Can't blame him for trying, right?
Did Michael "Shagg" Washington going a months long killing spree after getting out of jail in his mid-twenties? Did C.J. write Insane in the brain? I'd need to do some research on those questions before I placed my bets on who is going to win this lawsuit, but if Mr. Washington's claim that "the teenagers in his (old) gang rode around on bicycles" just like the characters in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is any indication of how legit his grievances are, then I think it's safe to say that Rockstar has this one in the bag.
Jonathan Holmes is the most lovable Associate Editor on Destructoid. Catch him on videos, original editorials, and on back episodes of the Destructoid Show and MTV's Road Rules. Jonathan is a retro gamer's gamer.
Likes
Mega Man 2, Resident Evil, Katamari Damacy, Bit.Trip, Metal Slug 3
Meet the rest of the team
I don't think the title should say Cypress Hill 'star'... This guys is just a backup rapper. It should list "Loser backup rapper with no life or real money is suing Rockstar Games" What a worthless a**hole
to his credit... when i first saw CJ riding that bike i thought.... this is remarkably similiar to an urban youth's life experiance. Even though CJ doesn't look or sound like Michael "Shagg" Washington they both apparently had the experience of riding bikes. Sounds resonable to me.
Also... i plan on sueing valve for Portal 2 because its sooooo much more relevant. My arguement is that I walk... you know, like those robots.
Well, it said on IGN that he was talked to by someone from Rockstar. He apparently didn't know about the game until recently, which is likely a lie. He knows full well that he's not getting a quarter billion and is probably hoping for some small, out of court settlement.
I'm going to organize a class action lawsuit against Costume Quest. Feel free to join if you have trick-or-treated before. This injustice cannot stand.
Oh, for fucks sake, now Dtoid...
How the fuck is this guy? he CLAIMS to be Cypress backup singer. Maybe he toured with them. But no one knows who the fuck he is
seriously though, maybe if he didn't blow all of his money on diamond encrusted bongs imported from germany (yes, he owns the worlds most expensive bong), he wouldn't have money problems.
And as for staying relevant for 10 years+ in hip hop. Dr Dre. Coming up on 30 years of relevancy.
Ugh... Anybody who grew up in the hood or ghetto can make these claims. Minus Rockstar coming and talking to them of course but seeing how he wasn't the only one Rockstar talked to, they could simply say how similar stories were told. Granted, I don't know if that would make things better or worse.
That is great! You talk 2 hours to Rockstar and they can make 10 Hours of videogamestory out of your life. I wonder how great a game they could make if they talk to an interesting Person.
I'd have to read album credits again (yes I actually read those) cuz I'm a big CH fan, own all the albums and been to many shows, and I have no idea who this cat is. He's definitely NOT a member. B-Real, Sen, Muggs and Bobo are Cypress Hill. This dude is probably a roadie or some shit.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
4:40 PM on 12.14.2010 | 
Also... i plan on sueing valve for Portal 2 because its sooooo much more relevant. My arguement is that I walk... you know, like those robots.
And what of the line every game/movie has nowadays: "Any likeness of any persons, living or dead, with any character is merely coincidental."
This dude failed. Oh and what DaedHead8 said too.
He must be a pretty desperate.
How the fuck is this guy? he CLAIMS to be Cypress backup singer. Maybe he toured with them. But no one knows who the fuck he is
seriously though, maybe if he didn't blow all of his money on diamond encrusted bongs imported from germany (yes, he owns the worlds most expensive bong), he wouldn't have money problems.
And as for staying relevant for 10 years+ in hip hop. Dr Dre. Coming up on 30 years of relevancy.
Brilliant haha. I was trying to think of a witty remark. But, I'm not going to try and follow that.