Roland White

Born and Bred on Feb.28’ in the famous city of San Francisco Roland traveled the streets right out the womb. Growing up in a broken home with two older sisters and two younger he took on the role of big brother. He faced many hardships and tribulations with no father around and a mother trying to raise five kids while living a life of her own that included clubs, drugs and men. He constantly saw his mothers failing relationships and with little guidance or anyone to look up to he got the ins and outs from local drug dealers and that would soon have him running the streets and getting into trouble. Soon this became part of his routine and something he could identify with. Not quite a man he took on the big role of "Hustler" selling drugs as a way to feed his family. With many of the kids from the neighborhood having the same story, and same background he grew tight bonds and soon friends became brothers. By selling drugs and stealing cars amongst other things he would see juvenile and youth camps as a ramification for his actions. Still falling into the normal day to day of the streets he became a father at a young age and didn’t have the necessary tools or the mind set to raise a child. No job, no high school diploma, no household, nothing. Not even the motivation to move forward in life. Like many times before the streets and all it had to offer became important and that was at the top of his to do list. It all took an unexpected turn when his brother in law Tremaine was murdered in 1998 and his childhood friends turned into enemies and his focus quickly became survival .Tunnel vision led him to become a suspect in a van shooting in Feb. 1999 were one died and 5 others were wounded . Living the fast life landed Roland in jail pleading guilty to a weapon possession where he would be sentenced to a county year. Upon release his oldest sister Punkin died on the golden gate bridge in a horrific car accident stemming from a robbery at Johnny Rockets to which she had no connection to. Months later he would find himself locked up with his best friend Itsy facing yet another weapons possession. Although Itsy claimed the gun police still released him and held Roland. Three weeks later, Itsy and an innocent child died by going over a fifty foot cliff while being shot down by enemies. This left him mourning the loss of a friend and fighting the gun case to which he was later acquitted for. Looming thoughts about freedom and death plagued his mind. Five months later when the county prosecutors finally gathered all of their evidence for the van shooting he would later be indicted on sixteen charges. One murder in the first degree, six attempts, six assaults, separate attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and finally a gang allegation all to which he was acquitted for. Returning to Fillmore as he always did still not yet realizing his fate three attempts are made on his life within a thirty day period; the third attempt successful with bullets passing through both legs. After all his years in the game he finally ended up with a catch twenty two. Nowhere he wanted to be, losing more than he ever gained. This new found glory that he had taken for granted challenged him and spun his compass into a whirl wind not knowing which direction to turn he decided to take himself out of the game officially. Turning his back on the past put him in a much better place for his future most importantly it put him in a place to clearly see his true dreams and goals. Waking up with aspirations instead of fear for what the day had to offer. Asking himself what’s for dinner not who. He strongly believes his life experiences have manifested him to be in this exact spot. Like an all American player good at every sport he plays, Roland is no different his game comes from within a strength only he could know about. Still blessed and at a much better place he is now able to give good sound advice, the advice he missed out on years previous. This is his life chronicled by the lyrics in each song. Roland White, not a typical name and definitely not your typical "street thug".