Birdman Under Fire For Denying Prison Inmate's Request For Books After Offering To Help Them

Birdman's stance on reading has taken social media by storm.

During a recent visit to a New Orleans prison, the Cash Money Records' co-founder sparked a wave of controversy with his response to inmates requesting books. The visit, aimed at understanding and potentially addressing the needs of the incarcerated, took an unexpected turn when Birdman appeared to push back against a request for more reading materials.

The interaction began with Birdman, real name Bryan Christopher Williams, engaging with the inmates and asking how he could assist them.

When one inmate expressed a need for more literature, the rapper's reaction was surprising to many. In the clip, Birdman interrupts the inmate speaking by saying, "So you think reading books is go [help] — and no disrespect to reading books," before the clip ends.

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The video quickly went viral.

One Twitter user quipped, "Birdman always struck me as illiterate anyway so this isn't surprising lol." Another comment read, "Birdman told them prisoners "it's too late for y'all to be trying to read."

However, some came to the 55-year-old's defense. Fellow rapper Fredo Bang took to Twitter to share his take on the video.

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"People who never did time might be confused on what he saying. It look like they are "Pre-trial" meaning they still fighting charges and can possibly go home," Bang, born Fredrick Givens II, said. "If I'm them help is a 'Good Lawyer or a Bond'. The one asking for books probably doesn't plan on going home (or knows he gonna have to take time) soon and in that case books would be a good thing to have . Just a lil clarity...."

Despite the backlash, Birdman has not publicaly responded to the criticism.