From Federal Prison to Building an Empire | Biz

Darrin “Dee” Dean is a co-founder of Ruff Ryders Entertainment, the legendary family-run company that helped shape an entire era of hip-hop.Alongside his siblings Joaquin “Waah” Dean and Chivon Dean, Dee helped build Ruff Ryders into a powerhouse associated with some of hip-hop's most influential artists, including DMX, The LOX, Eve, Drag-On and Swizz Beatz.Ruff Ryders represented something bigger than music. The company brought the sound and energy of the streets into mainstream hip-hop while expanding its influence into touring, motorcycle culture, lifestyle, film and community initiatives.In this episode of Dog In The Yard, Dee Dean takes us inside the rise of Ruff Ryders from believing in DMX and developing artists to navigating the music industry and building a brand that became a worldwide cultural movement. Dee also reflects on the legacy of DMX, the importance of family, the business behind Ruff Ryders, and what it took to build something that still carries weight decades later.Follow:Pistol Pete — @pistolpetekartsDee Dean — general_over_everythingDog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

Lefty Gunplay's rise through West Coast hip-hop came after years of circumstances that could have permanently taken him in another direction.Raised in Baldwin Park, California, Lefty has spoken openly about entering gang life at a young age and experiencing juvenile detention before eventually spending years within California's prison system, including Pelican Bay and Corcoran.During his final incarceration, Lefty began seriously envisioning a future in music. After returning home in 2023 following roughly nine years incarcerated, he committed himself to rap and quickly began building momentum with records including “Blvd. Baby” and “Spin The Block.”His rise accelerated rapidly, eventually leading to an appearance on Kendrick Lamar's “TV Off” from the 2024 album GNX—putting Lefty in front of a global hip-hop audience.In this episode of Dog In The Yard, Lefty Gunplay talks about Baldwin Park, gang culture, incarceration, California prison, coming home, pursuing music, and the unlikely journey that took him from years behind bars to one of the biggest stages in hip-hop.Follow:Pistol Pete - @pistolpetekartsLefty Gunplay - @Dog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

Dog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

For more than two decades, Daniel “OP” Sullivan has been fighting to prove his innocence and obtain what he believes should be an independent review of a series of arrests and encounters involving members of the Yonkers Police Department.His fight intensified in June 2003, when OP says he was assaulted by an officer at a courthouse and filed an Internal Affairs complaint afterward. Just eight days later, he was arrested on a drug possession charge. OP disputes the circumstances surrounding that arrest. According to his account, officers alleged that he swallowed crack cocaine, while a toxicology report conducted approximately two hours later reported no narcotics in his body. He also disputes a statement an officer attributed to him regarding the alleged drugs.OP believes this arrest and others that followed were part of a broader pattern of retaliation connected to his Internal Affairs complaint. For years, he has pursued records, documentation, and evidence while seeking review from Internal Affairs and the Conviction Review Board.Today, his mission extends beyond his own cases. Through Prevention B4 Apprehension, OP gives back to his community through youth programs, community meals, holiday events, clothing and essential-item giveaways, and other initiatives designed to help people before they become caught in the criminal justice system.In this episode of Dog In The Yard, OP presents his side of a story more than 20 years in the making—discussing his arrests, disputed evidence, allegations of police retaliation and misconduct, his continuing fight for accountability, and why he refuses to stop seeking a fair review.Follow:Pistol Pete — @pistolpetekartsOP — @dj_opDog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

Kimon "Pop" Walker's journey is a testament to the power of second chances and personal transformation.Raised in Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, Pop served more than five years in prison after convictions that changed the trajectory of his life. When he returned home, he made a commitment to never waste his second chance.He began rebuilding through internships, including an opportunity connected to former Mayor Michael Bloomberg's corporate organization, before joining The Fortune Society, where he now helps formerly incarcerated individuals navigate employment, reentry, and the challenges of starting over.Driven by entrepreneurship, Pop also founded a credit repair and business funding company focused on helping working individuals improve their credit, access capital, and create additional financial opportunities.In this episode of Dog In The Yard, Pop discusses accountability, incarceration, rebuilding after prison, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and the importance of using your experiences to uplift others. Follow:Pistol Pete — @pistolpetekartsPop —@postive_popDog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

Tanka "Tank" Asongna-Morfaw has spent nearly a decade helping shape one of America's fastest-growing industries. Originally from the Bronx, New York, Tank moved to Miami after earning a degree in Health Science from Long Island University. While pursuing a healthcare career, he discovered an opportunity in the cannabis industry that would redefine his future.Tank played an instrumental role in opening some of Florida's earliest medical cannabis dispensaries before helping scale MÜV from just 15 locations to more than 65 statewide. As a Senior Retail Operations Manager, he oversaw operations responsible for nearly $100 million in annual revenue and later helped expand recreational cannabis operations into New York City.Outside of cannabis, Tank is also a licensed real estate broker, investor, and property manager with more than 15 years of experience across Florida and New York.In this episode of Dog In The Yard, Tank discusses entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, the evolution of the cannabis industry, and the mindset required to build lasting success.Follow:Pistol Pete — @pistolpetekartsTank — @tankathewolfgodDog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

Anthony H. Baptiste, known as Tone, transformed one of life's greatest setbacks into a story of resilience and redemption.Born in Queens, New York, and raised between Far Rockaway and Suffolk County, Tone spent years working behind the scenes in New York City's nightlife, helping coordinate events featuring some of hip-hop's biggest artists, including Nas, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Future, Fetty Wap, French Montana, Cardi B, and 50 Cent.His life changed after receiving what became a 51-years-to-life sentence on a non-violent drug conviction as a first-time offender. Instead of allowing incarceration to define him, Tone committed himself to personal transformation. During nearly a decade behind bars, he lost over 100 pounds, became a Certified Paralegal, earned his Personal Trainer certification, and prepared himself for a meaningful return home. Released on merit parole in February 2026, Tone now dedicates his life to public speaking, fitness, acting, modeling, and inspiring others to believe that no setback is too great to overcome. In this episode of Dog In The Yard, Tone shares his incredible story of transformation, the lessons prison taught him, and why he believes every person deserves the opportunity to rewrite their future. Follow:Pistol Pete — @pistolpetekartsAnthony "Tone" Baptiste — @tonelegacyDog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

Erico Montalvo's life took a dramatic turn in July 2015 while celebrating his 18th birthday in Providence, Rhode Island.According to Erico, he was robbed and assaulted that night. During the incident, while defending himself, another man lost his life. He was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder, beginning an eight-and-a-half-year legal battle before ultimately accepting a plea to manslaughter under circumstances he describes as involving self-defense.In total, Erico spent 10 years incarcerated. Since returning home, he has dedicated himself to rebuilding his life, adjusting to society after a decade away, and sharing his testimony in hopes of helping others avoid the decisions and situations that can change a life forever.In this episode of Dog In The Yard, Erico speaks candidly about his case, incarceration, personal growth, and the importance of using life's hardest moments to inspire positive change.Follow:Pistol Pete — @pistolpetekartsErico Montalvo — @RicostillmadeitDog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

Pistol Po is a rapper from the East Side of Chicago whose journey is a story of accountability, resilience, and reinvention.Raised on 79th Street, Pistol Po's life changed after being convicted in a federal conspiracy and drug trafficking case that resulted in a 30-month prison sentence.After returning home, he focused his energy on music and building a better future. His dedication eventually paid off when his freestyle videos recorded in his car began gaining attention online, helping him reach a wider audience and establish himself as an emerging artist.In this episode of Dog In The Yard, Pistol Po speaks on federal prison, life after incarceration, the Chicago music scene, and how one opportunity can change the direction of your life. Follow:Pistol Pete — @pistolpetekartsBX Tone — @tonybxtonewindleyPistol Po — @pistolpo79Dog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org

Prince Dre is an artist from Chicago whose life changed after being accused in a high-profile firearms case that brought national attention and controversy.According to Prince Dre, he was accused of possessing eight firearms that he maintains were never in his possession. After being arrested in Las Vegas, he spent time incarcerated and says he was wrongfully held even after bonding out, while allegations surfaced tying him to OTF.The experience became a turning point in his life. Rather than allowing the situation to define him, Prince Dre returned home focused on working harder than ever and continuing to build his career.In this episode of Dog In The Yard, Prince Dre speaks openly about the case, the allegations, the challenges he faced navigating the legal system, and the impact the experience had on his life and future.This conversation explores accountability, public perception, the realities of being caught up in the justice system, and the determination it takes to keep moving forward when your name is attached to controversy.FOLLOW:Pistol Pete: @pistolpetekartsBX Tone: @tonybxtonewindleyPrince Dre: @1princedreDog In The Yard: Real Stories From Real Comrades🎥 Full Episodes: YouTube.com/@DogInTheYard📱 Follow: @dogintheyardpodcast📩 Booking & Inquiries: [email protected]🌐 Join the movement: dogintheyard.org