Story Time

Back in 2016, I was incarcerated at Graterford alongside Blac Papi. He was known for his heavy use of K2, and some people were encouraging him to get into rapping. So, I wasn't surprised when he pursued that path upon his release. Did any of you hear his music before 2016?

Black Papi

It's quite interesting how I also shared a facility, GWH, with Ronde

Ronde

when he returned from federal prison.

He was associating with an African named Mussa from South West Philly. Mussa was also previously incarcerated in the federal system. In the same unit, there were individuals from Chester, including "Mike Mike" and "O dog," who were notable figures.

Mike Mike had a reputation because he had served a significant sentence from a very young age, either 20 years at age 15 or 15 years, which is remarkable.

One day, Ronde and Mussa were offering Salat (prayer), and Mike Mike was at a nearby table, engaged in a card game, being loud and enthusiastic, as he usually was when gambling.

Mussa felt that Mike Mike was intentionally being disrespectful during Salat. I observed the situation, and it seemed to me that Mike Mike was just being himself. Mussa, however, insisted that Mike Mike was being smart and wanted to confront him.

Mussa wanted me to join in, but I didn't want to get involved. Tensions were already high between Chester and Philly inmates.

Mussa approached Mike Mike and said, "I'd like to speak to you." Mike Mike, with some arrogance due to being in his comfort zone, responded negatively, "What do you want to talk to me about? Because where I'm from, when someone says they want to talk, it's usually about a problem. So, what's up?"

Mike Mike wasn't a stranger to prison politics. He had served a 15-year sentence back in 1996 when they first began certifying juveniles as adults. He played the "first punch" card, and while it was a bit of a cowardly move, it seemed to work, as Mussa appeared somewhat intimidated.

Mussa, however, was also skilled in navigating the prison culture, as he had been involved in financial scams and was physically imposing due to regular workouts. This confrontation was like a game of chess for him.

Mike Mike told Mussa, "I'm always loud; that's just me. You always hear me." Mussa responded humbly, "Could you please show a little respect during Salat?" Mike Mike replied, "I got you."

The next day, Mussa had court, and it was commissary day. I observed Mike Mike jokingly say that he would take Mussa's commissary when he returned from court, but it seemed like a joke.

Mussa informed me late in the day that Mike Mike was talking about taking his commissary. I told Mussa that Mike Mike was joking when he said that.

Ronde, who was at the table during the card game, ran to Mussa to inform him of Mike Mike's intentions, despite knowing that Mike Mike was merely playing around.

Mussa decided to confront Mike Mike about this late in the day, and he showed me a weapon, explaining that he wouldn't use it, just to scare him.

He asked me to watch the door while he and Ronde went into Mike Mike and O dog's cell. I hesitated but eventually agreed, given the circumstances.

In the cell, a scuffle broke out between Mike Mike and Mussa. O dog, who had woken up, jumped down from the top bunk, and Ronde stood on a chair attached to a table to confront O dog. The situation escalated quickly, and Ronde put O dog in a severe headlock, almost as if trying to break his neck, causing O dog to bend over the table.

The commotion woke up the entire block. The guards noticed the unusual morning activity and the attention of inmates on the bottom tier. I yelled out to them, "Chill, it's all good," to prevent any further escalation.

Mike Mike attempted to flee the cell, but Mussa grabbed his shirt. In the struggle, Mike Mike made some ineffective jabs in a boxing stance, seemingly for show, and missed everything. Mike Mike, standing on the top tier in his boxers, yelled to the Chester inmates, "Are you going to let these Philly guys roll on me? You're all dead."

It was a surreal and comical moment. The next day, all four of them - Mike Mike, O dog, Ronde, and Mussa - received visitors, which was quite a coincidence. During their visits, they reportedly threw chairs and tables in front of their visitors, causing a scene.

The guards restrained Mussa in his cell and allowed Mike Mike and a few other Chester inmates to enter Mussa's cell with dominoes tied up in socks to physically assault him. Despite there being guards from Chester who had biases, this situation showcased a difference in behavior between the two groups of guards. Mussa was later transported to the hospital after sustaining severe injuries.

It was a chaotic and unforgettable series of events during our time in prison.