A lawyer for the family of a 9-year-old rapper who appears in séxually
suggestive videos is criticizing authorities' decision to investigate
whether the boy is the victim of possible child abuse or neglect.
The
boy who performs as "Lil Poopy," is a thriving, well-adjusted
fourth-grader with a good home life, good grades and musical talent,
attorney Joseph Krowski Jr. said Monday of client Luie Rivera Jr., who
is of Puerto Rican descent.
"This
is just what I would call a racially-tinged investigation because
whoever watched it probably doesn't understand rap," Krowski said of his
client's work. "...This isn't some child left alone that's not going to
school. It all comes down to content in the videos, which is protected
by the First Amendment."
On
Sunday, Brockton police asked state child welfare officials to look
into possible abuse after watching Lil Poopy videos following a feature
story about him in local newspaper The Enterprise.
Police
said Monday they haven't filed any criminal charges. A Department of
Children and Families spokeswoman confirmed that officials are looking
into concerns about the young Brockton rapper's welfare.
The
investigation will include interviews with everyone who lives in the
child's home and likely others who have contact with the 9-year-old,
such as school officials, DCF spokeswoman Cayenne Isaksen said. Child
welfare officials can refer the case to the local district attorney's
office if an investigation finds any criminal behavior.
"The
filers of this report wanted to make sure the child is being properly
cared for," Isaksen said. "...So the department will look into all
aspects of this."
The videos show the boy slapping a woman's buttocks, engaging in séxually suggestive dances and glorifying drug use and materialism.
The boy's father, Luis Rivera, told The Enterprise that his son is acting and not doing anything wrong.
The
newspaper said Lil Poopy has performed alongside Sean "P. Diddy" Combs,
and was discovered in his father's music studio by the rapper known as
French Montana, who founded Cocaine City Records.
Lil
Poopy's music that was posted to an online mix tape site last October
has lyrics that include him singing about being a "bad boy" and a
"cocaine cowboy."
It showed about 8,600 downloads and 195,000 views by Monday afternoon.
YouTube posts also feature the boy singing "Coke ain't a bad word," and show him with Coca-Cola.
Check out the séxually suggestive video:
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO
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