Mary Sheffield teams up with Skilla Baby for gun buyback and expungement fair

‘Turn your gun in, expunge your record, and get a job — no questions asked,’ the City Council President said on social media

By Layla McMurtrie

Feb 20, 2024 at 1:31 pm

Image: Mary Sheffield and Skilla Baby pictured together at a recent ribbon cutting for a newly renovated basketball court in Detroit.

Mary Sheffield and Skilla Baby pictured together at a recent ribbon cutting for a newly renovated basketball court in Detroit. Instagram, @marysheffield

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Detroit rapper Skilla Baby took to Instagram on Monday to announce he would be partnering with City Council President Mary Sheffield and Judge Tenisha Yancey for a gun buyback event this weekend.

The event, which will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 at The Icon in Detroit, will also consist of an expungement and felon-friendly job fair.

The flier says the gun exchange will be “no questions asked,” with handguns and non-automatic firearms to be bought for $100 and semi-automatic and automatic assault rifles to be bought for $200.

Additionally, the fair will offer a driver’s license restoration review, and anyone interested should bring a copy of their driving record. People interested in expungement can register for pre-screening online ahead of the event.

“This will not be the last one,” Skilla Baby says in his post’s caption. “We will try to get as many guns off the streets and clean as many records as possible every year if it’s up to me.”

Turn your gun in, expunge your record, and get a job - NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
— Mary Sheffield (@MsMarySheffield) February 19, 2024

Skilla Baby, 24, has become one of Detroit’s biggest hip-hop stars.

The book of Skilla Baby: Detroit’s newest hip-hop star on overcoming hardships, having the best record deal in the city, and his new album with Tee Grizzley

Slideshow

These Black historical figures are from Michigan

Aretha Franklin Emerging from the gospel scene of Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church, the Queen of Soul left an undeniable mark on music history with hits like “Respect,” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” Beyond her music, she championed civil rights and Indigenous communities’ rights, earning 18 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Following her death in 2018, Franklin was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.

J Dilla Renowned as a groundbreaking figure in hip-hop production, J Dilla, born James Dewitt Yancey, spent much of his life in Detroit. His innovative beats influenced an entire era of hip-hop, collaborating with icons such as Slum Village, the Pharcyde, Erykah Badu, and Common. Tragically, his career was cut short at 32 due to a rare blood disease. In 2021, Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm was released, helping to introduce the visionary to a new generation.

Malcolm X Influential civil rights leader and activist Malcolm X spent his formative years in Lansing, residing in Inkster for a year later on in life. It was during his time in Michigan that Malcolm X began his journey toward becoming one of the most prominent figures in the fight for racial equality and social justice. His experiences in Michigan, including encounters with racism and activism, helped lay the foundation for his later work as a powerful voice for change.

Aaliyah Though born in Brooklyn, New York, the Princess of R&B found her musical roots in Detroit. She soared to stardom with her debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number at 15, later graduating from Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts in 1997. Her smooth R&B tracks, later produced by legends Timberland and Missy Elliot, alongside sensual hip-hop choreography, put Aaliyah on the map as one of the most influential artists of the ’90s. On August 25, 2001, the singer tragically lost her life after a fatal plane crash at the age of 22.

John Conyers Hailing from Highland Park, John Conyers became the longest-serving Black congressman. A co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, Conyers introduced a bill to study reparations for slavery in 1989 and did so every year for three decades, but his legacy was tainted by sexual harassment allegations, resulting in his resignation from the U.S. House in 2017. He passed away in 2019 at age 90.

Amp Fiddler An influential musician, mentor, and friend to many, Joseph “Amp” Fiddler played an integral role in shaping Detroit’s rich musical heritage. Born and raised in the city, the former member of George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic collective made indelible contributions to funk, soul, hip-hop, and electronic music throughout his career and garnered widespread acclaim and admiration. Sadly, Amp passed away in late 2023, but his legacy and love live on.

Sojourner Truth Born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth escaped to freedom and became a prominent abolitionist and women's rights activist. She spent a significant portion of her life in Michigan, where she worked tirelessly for the abolition of slavery and equal rights for all.

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About The Author

Layla McMurtrie

Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between the Lines, and Metromode, among other Michigan publications.