Memphis rapper James Lee Baker, known as BlocBoy JB, was arrested yesterday morning in Memphis after a Tennessee trooper found him asleep behind the wheel of a red Mazda SUV at a busy intersection. The vehicle, which was blocking traffic, was stopped through two traffic signal rotations at North Germantown Parkway and Chickering Lane. A loaded gun and marijuana were discovered on Baker's lap, as reported by FOX13 Memphis.
The rapper, who faced previous charges including drug possession and a 2018 DUI that led to a revoked driver’s license according to Action News 5, was charged with obstruction of highway, driving while license revoked, unlawful possession of a weapon as a convicted felon, and simple possession of marijuana. The trooper's affidavit states Baker was sleeping with his foot on the brake and did not advance through the intersection despite the traffic lights cycling twice.
BlocBoy JB, best known for his song "Look Alive" featuring Drake, and for the legal dispute with Epic Games over his "Shoot" dance from his song, now finds himself in yet another legal confrontation. "I just got out of jail," he had told a crowd during a 2019 performance at the Beale Street Music Festival after a prior arrest, showing a pattern of brushes with law enforcement detailed by WREG.
While Baker's attorney has not issued a statement regarding the most recent incident, records show that the rapper, who has previously been convicted for marijuana-related offenses and weaponry charges, is scheduled to appear in court this morning; he has often cited his influence among the youth and desire to motivate them, despite the controversies that seem to shadow his public persona and career, like indulging in illicit activities partly exposed through past social media activities.
