Chaz Williams has moved forward in a positive manner since being
released from prison, but don’t expect weepy sentiments of regret from
the Black Hand CEO
“I am not remorseful or regretful about my history. I did what I
believed, I lived by it, paid for it, and I kept it moving,” he told
AllHipHop.com. “No one has followed every rule or law of nature or
society
to a perfection whether you embellished your job resume, lied on a job
application, broke a traffic law, or something more or less serious.Williams
served 15 years in a federal maximum-security prision after he was
convicted of robbing over 60 banks. After an early release in 1989 –
the result of scores of legal appeals – he turned to the music industry
to allow him to reinvent himself as a budding CEO.Now, his life before music will play out on BET’s “American Gangster” show, which will air tonight at 10 pm on the BET Network.“After
being locked up for any number of years, coming back out and getting
your life back on track with family or any business in any industry is
not easy. There are obstacles in every walk of life and you have to
have the determination and perseverance to overcome, knock down, or
outlast the block or blocker,” Williams explained. “Unfortunately, the
music industry is full of people who are afraid of people who they feel
they can’t say no to, but I really feel that’s a problem with their
manhood and not with the music game.”Hip-Hop music was a perfect segue into a different sort of hustle for Williams.One
of his early memorable releases was the soundtrack to a Donald Goines
book called “Black Gangster.” The soundtrack featured Jay-Z, Ja Rule, 50
Cent, DMX, Freddie Foxxx, DMX and other rising stars. After
being released, Williams also founded Black Hand Entertainment, a
company that now boasts artists like Foxy Brown, Grafh and Prinz.With Foxy, Williams said their team has petitioned for the rapper to be released early from prison. “Our
lawyers have filed an application for an early conditional discharge.
Foxy fits the criteria, we are waiting for the decision,” he said.When
he agreed to have his life told in “American Gangster,” Williams said
he hopes the viewer could take wisdom with them that would deter
them from making ill-advised decisions. “What I feel [about
“American Gangster,” will be determined by results. What I mean is, I
will feel good if some good comes out of this for those who view it,”
he said. “Experience is the best teacher, and it’s wiser to learn from
the experience of others, especially in life changing or irreversible
situations. I don’t need to touch a hot plate, if I’m told it’s hot by
somebody who’s already touched it.”In closing, Williams quipped, “Next season [of “American Gangster”], George Bush, the real American Gangster. Holla!”
