Protect Ya Tech! When Artists Get Their Laptops Stolen
You better hide your notebooks, Macbooks, and netbooks, because they robbing everybody out here.
This past weekend, Ryan Leslie was in Germany when he got his laptop stolen. Rather than just take the L, Leslie made a YouTube video informing fans of the loss and offering a $20,000 dollar reward for the return of his laptop. Although 20 grand is nothing to sneeze at, we have a sneaking suspicion he's never gonna see that that again and we just might be hearing some new Ryan Leslie music very, very soon (or we would if people cared). How do we know? Well, R-Les isn't the first artist to get his computer juxed. In fact, it's been happening so often lately we put together Protect Ya Tech! When Artists Get Their Laptops Stolen.
This past weekend, Ryan Leslie was in Germany when he got his laptop stolen. Rather than just take the L, Leslie made a YouTube video informing fans of the loss and offering a $20,000 dollar reward for the return of his laptop. Although 20 grand is nothing to sneeze at, we have a sneaking suspicion he's never gonna see that that again and we just might be hearing some new Ryan Leslie music very, very soon (or we would if people cared). How do we know? Well, R-Les isn't the first artist to get his computer juxed. In fact, it's been happening so often lately we put together Protect Ya Tech! When Artists Get Their Laptops Stolen.
Marc Anthony Saves A Milli
When:
What happened:stolen
Complex says:
Keith Murray vs. South African Goons
When: September 2007
What happened: Keith Murray was recording in a studio in South Africa when two armed men entered the studio and stole several laptops and cellphones, along with the cash on Murray and a number of people in the studio with him. According to reports, Murray's laptop had 12 years' worth of music on it. Murray later offered $7,000 (remember, this is South Africa) for the computer's return.
Complex says: Too bad those dudes were packing—we're pretty sure if Murray had to knuckle up with those goons, he woulda Freddie Foxxed their ass.
We All Win When Adrienne Bailon Loses Her Laptop
When: November 2008
What happened: After landing at JFK airport in New York, Bailon's laptop was stolen out of her luggage. The thieves blackmailed her for $1000 and returned the laptop...but not before they found the naked pics she had on her hard drive. Shortly after returning the laptop, sexy pics of the former 3LW member hit the Internet.
Complex says: The best part about all this was that the pictures were originally intended for Kim Kardashian's brother and Bailon's longtime boyfriend, Robert Kardashian. Oh fuck it, who are we kidding? The best part was the naked pics [NSFW]! Score yet another one for the Internet!
Eminem Owns A Laptop?
When: May 2009
What happened: While in L.A. for the MTV VMAs, Eminem's hotel room was broken into. According to initial reports, he was robbed of a laptop and a $60,000 dollar necklace. But later in an interview, Em denied being robbed of anything valuable besides a Nike watch.
Complex says: We're guessing this story probably isn't true and not just because Em denied it. First of all, Em isn't exactly known for his bling, so him sporting a chain worth 60K sounds kinda far-fetched. Plus, last year Eminem told us about his Luddite status saying, "I don't even know how to turn a computer on." So we doubt he even owns a laptop. Besides if we broke into Em's hotel room, we'd much rather steal his magical rhyme box than his watch.
Officer Ricky's Groupies Love
When:
What happened:
hotel room
Complex says:
Usher Gets G'ed For Over A Milli
When: December 2009
What happened: Earlier this year, it was reported that Usher's GMC Yukon had been robbed last December during the holiday season. Before you laugh at a baller like Usher pushing a Yukon (and not a Escalade), consider that his car was filled with a number of valuables including two laptops, two cameras, and a bag filled with various jewels worth over a million dollars. Like Murray, Usher had previously unheard music on his laptop which was eventually leaked onto the Internet.
Complex says: So much for the season of giving—in Atlanta, Christmas time is the season of taking. Gully.
Toro y Moi
When: March 2010
What happened: After performing at NYC's Brooklyn Bowl, Toro went outside and packed his stuff into his car. He dipped back into Brooklyn Bowl for a few minutes but by the time he came back someone had broken the lock on his car door and stolen his clothes, passport, and laptop. Although the thief didn't steal his guitar, Toro was forced to cancel a number of tour dates because his laptop was essential to his live show.
Complex says: Hasn't Toro ever heard of a flash drive? Or any form of backup plan? If your laptop is that essential to the way you make a living, you gotta plan for these things.
Talib Kweli's Social Media Skills
When: April 2010
What happened: Talib Kweli was performing in Melbourne, Australia along with Jean Grae when someone broke into Jean Grae's dressing room and stole Kweli's cell phone and laptop. But cameras caught the culprit: It was Amir Elashir, a dude who had written on Jean Grae's Facebook fan page just days before. Kweli took to Twitter to let fans know what had happened. He even claimed to have called Elashir up and gotten him to agree to give the goods back (though dude eventually flaked on him). Ultimately, Kweli tweeted that he'd gotten his stuff back, thanks to help from Vinny from Naughty By Nature and blogger DDotOmen.
Complex says: Easily the most bizarre story on this list (and the only one in which an artist got his stuff back).
Rocko Has The Most Expensive Benihanas Lunch Ever
When: May 2010
What happened: While eating lunch at Benihanas in Atlanta, someone stole Rocko's Cadillac Escalade which had his laptop inside it. Rocko claimed he had $150,000 dollars worth of music on his laptop so he offered a $50,000 reward for the return of the computer.
Complex says: A few quick questions: Does a one-hit wonder from the Ringtone era still count as an "artist"? Does being Monica's baby daddy qualify you as a "celebrity"? Isn't having a song with verses from Jay-Z and Jesus the only way Rocko's music could ever be worth $150,000?
will.i.am In The Gangsta Side of Hollywood
When: June 2010
What happened: The Black Eyed Peas' front man had his Bentley windows smashed in Hollywood and had a laptop, some jewelry, and other items stolen out of the car. According to reports, the police were able to track down some of the stolen goods.
Complex says: We'd much rather steal will.i.am's VMAs outfit. Halloween costumes ain't cheap!
Richie Hawtin Stars In...A Canadian Producer In Paris
When: June 2010
What happened: In case you're not familiar with Hawtin, he's a well-known Canadian techno producer. His laptop (along with his iPod and two iPads) were all stolen while he was touring in Paris. Problem was, just like Toro, his computer had all the loops, samples, and music for his live set. Hawtin took to Facebook and offered 2500 euros (roughly $3500 US) for the computer's return.
Complex says: Again, fuck stealing someone's laptop. We just want an iPad!