BEST UP-AND
-COMING IDIOT

We ain’t all natural-born gangstas, pimpin’ hos and (something unintelligible). Some have to work for their reps, yo. Like Steven Gilmore Jr., who, having lost his job, decided to launch his career as a rapper. But before busting mad rhymes on the Gainesville, Florida, hip hop scene, SG J-to-the-R figured he’d need “street credibility.” And nothing provides street cred like holding up a convenience store with a pellet gun while your 16-year-old pal works look-out.

Gilmore, 21, took the first steps toward strutting with Biggie when he entered a convenience store brandishing his C02-calibre weapon and demanding “the money.” The store’s clerk instead tried to grab the pellet gun, which went off, sending a single round of the deadly-to-small-birds ammunition to the clerk’s temple.

An anonymous tip later led police to Gilmore’s apartment, where they found the mask, the BB gun and Gilmore, who told police he’d attempted the robbery to prop up his rap ambitions. He also ratted out his little helper in the crime, proving he might be better suited to be a producer. Gilmore is currently freestylin’ in a county jail. The minor was sent to juvie.

by SCOTT SAXON