It seems to be an unavoidable fact of celebrity: You mess up, you ‘fess up and then you try to save your image. Or sometimes you don’t confess. In that case, you go to trial, are probably found guilty of a plea-bargained lesser charge and then ordered to “give back to the community.” Celebrity activism and philanthropy is usually positive, but it’s also important to recognize when it’s disingenuous.

TI’s remorseful sentiments regarding his stockpiling of “Army Gunz” have been successfully channeled into his Road to Redemption reality show. In the series he documents some of his court-ordered community service hours in which he speaks to youth around the country about making better life decisions. One could make the point that because his community service is a legal obligation it’s not so kind-hearted, but he actually seems genuine.

The same cannot be said for the shameless PR stunt being pulled by New Orleans rapper C-Murder. True to his name, C-Murder is facing charges in the killing of a 16-year-old fan, Steve Thomas, in 2002. Though he was convicted of second-degree murder in 2003, Judge Martha Sassone granted him a new trial when it was found that three of the prosecution’s witnesses had criminal backgrounds that weren’t revealed in court. She continued to be lenient with him with his house arrest restrictions as well.

Unfortunately for the rapper also known as Corey Miller, Judge Sassone has been voted out of office (thanks in part to her handling of the C-Murder case).

He is now facing a quickly approaching court date, a new judge and a group of residents and prosecutors eager to send C-Murder away for a long time.

If his prior (though rescinded) conviction on murder charges doesn’t exactly scream “anti-violence advocate,” keep in mind that C-Murder is also facing two counts of attempted second-degree murder in connection with a separate 2001 incident at a Baton Rouge nightclub.

Now on the verge of two shooting-related trials, the house-arrested rapper held a press conference last week to introduce his involvement with an anti-violence campaign. The irony is palpable.

Forgive us, Mr. Miller, if the world seems a bit skeptical of your motives, but it seems painfully obvious that this is nothing more than a ploy to reduce an almost certain prison sentence.

Beyond the fact that Murder’s rap moniker and criminal charges are identical, his press conference was contrived and lacked substance. When he finished reading his brief prepared statement and reporters asked him questions, his lawyers stepped in to deflect them. (What kind of a press conference doesn’t allow questions? Perhaps the kind where the speaker is reading a statement that was written by someone else on a topic he knows little about.)

Corey, your name is C-Murder! You have a gun tattooed on your waistline! You’re facing second-degree murder and attempted murder charges in two separate cases!

At the press conference Miller stated that he is “willing and able to do everything in my power to bring an end to these senseless murders,” but he didn’t say what he would actually do. He said, “I’m part of the solution,” but he didn’t say how.

Ending violence takes more than empty cliches from desperate has-been emcees, it takes ambitious plans carried out by dedicated individuals with relevant skill-sets. What makes you part of the solution, Corey? Furthermore, how actively can you fight violence in the hood while on house arrest at your grandmother’s suburban mini-mansion?

And the verdict is…

C-Murder’s masquerade as an anti-violence advocate is sad and disrespectful. The campaign is sad because it lacks substance, and disrespectful because Corey is using the illusion of helping others to benefit himself. Yes, TI made some fans out of detractors through his community service, but you can’t hope to achieve the same result with this half-assed mimicry.

TI was caught buying weapons after his best friend was killed. You were already convicted of killing a 16-year-old fan—your own fan. You were right when you said “the violence must end now,” but it needs to start with your actions, not your words.

-Lukas Brekke-Miesner