Atlanta rapper and VH1 reality TV star Lil’ Scrappy plans to check himself into a drug rehabilitation center on Wednesday.
During a press conference late Wednesday morning, the “Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta” cast member also known as Darryl Richardson admitted to an addiction to marijuana.
“It’s one step on my road to recovery,” Richardson said. “I take it on faith that it’s the best thing for me and for my family.”
In an interview earlier Wednesday with V103 FM morning personality Ryan Cameron, Richardson acknowledged that his marijuana addiction had taken its toll on his professional productivity.
“Some people that work hard, when they get on marijuana they don’t work so hard,” Richardson said. “They get lazy.”
He said he didn’t want that for himself or for his family.
“I want to do better,” Richardson said. “I want to be a better person.”
Richardson will undergo a 30-day rehab program at an unnamed private facility somewhere in the metro area, his attorney, Mawuli Mel Davis, said.
Richardson faces possible revocation of his probation for failing a court-ordered drug screening last week.
Prosecutors accused him of changing his urine sample in a previous drug test.
He is on probation for pleading first-time offender in 2008 to felony gun and drug possession.
Richardson is most well-known from his song “Money in The Bank.” Born and raised in Atlanta, his rap career began when was discovered by Lil Jon and signed to Black Market Entertainment Recordings.
VH1’s popular “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” explores the volatile relationships of a host of cast members, including Richardson’s ties to his fiancee’ and “baby mama” Erica Dixon, and with Grammy award-winning producer Stevie J.
Richardson is an original cast member of “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” which debuted last June with 1.9 million viewers, but its season finale drew a series high of 4.4 million, more than any episode of “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Davis, Richardson’s attorney, has surrounded his client with a number of mentors to help the rapper maintain positive progress once he is released from the rehab facility.
Davis said he hopes Richardson’s struggles can set a positive example for youth throughout the metro Atlanta area.
“He can connect to our young people and have them operating at a level we know they can … to achieve great things,” Davis said.
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