Charlamagne was definitely out and not only out in NY, he was out in the whole country. Specially in his earlier wilder days, you could find him in the club solo. He also had employers, still kept his style.
Akademiks grew up in the burbs, went to college and moved back to the burbs. Charlamagne grew up in the streets with street dudes.
Can't compare these people and he's never threatened people with the police and shyt. Of course there's bodyguards and detectors at the studio when Birdman pulls up with 30 shooters but that's different.
You could even see when five guys tried to sucker punch him and he was prepared accept the challenge from two dude of them, then he saw the other three and dipped. Then went back to the exact same office the next day.
charlamagne gave envy a mold of his butt as a gift on air...
I don’t wanna hear nuffin about his wilder days...