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reserve your ad hereBy Angelique Jovette and Amberly Taylor
Child stardom, with its blessings and challenges, can profoundly shape a person. 16-year-old child star 4NIC74, also known as Nicholas Elijah Evans, is a testament to this. His path from the bright lights and Small stages, to facing life-changing accusations, is a story of resilience and inspiration.
From ABC World News’s “Future Phenomenon” to Fugitive. 4NIC74 went from being a significant prospect, pursued by top record labels, to fighting for his freedom. Gladly, Nicholas received a dismissal this past Tuesday after defending himself in his second case in two years. Nicholas was becoming more familiar with the legal process, having previously dealt with a similar case of mistaken identity in Oklahoma, which also ended in dismissal.
“The process with my two cases was very different,” Nic explains, “In Oklahoma, I was taken from my home and put in a foster placement for over a year while waiting for dismissal. My mother was given a felony for harboring a fugitive as a result of these charges, simply for just allowing me to sleep in the only home that I know. It’s like they expected my mother to turn her back on me, although I was being wrongly accused. On the other hand, in Colorado, my mother was supported in supporting me instead of being targeted as an accomplice for not abandoning me. Still, through both situations, one thing remained the same: God’s protection over me and my family”, Nic ended with.
Disparities mar Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system rampantly. The state also has one of the highest female incarceration rates in the world and is actually at the very top of that list in the United States. The stark rate of 132 per 100,000 women, nearly double the national average, is a cause for concern.
Many of these women are mothers who were sole caregivers before incarceration, who are leaving behind children who will be subjected to being pawned off to different orphanages and, in most cases, not too different from Nics, be taken advantage of and railroaded by the justice system because they have no one to stand up and speak for them when being wrongly accused.
Some states and counties have been working to reduce the number of youth in detention centers and shift towards alternative placements like smaller, more “homelike,” safe, and secure “healing centers” to mask the mass gathering of children left with no defense. Oklahoma’s incarceration rates display a system of mass containment over budgeting for the resources needed to help families stay together. Almost reminiscent of the old’ divide and conquer’ tactic.
Key Statistics:
● Number of Female Prisoners:
In 2020, Oklahoma’s prison population consisted of 3,119 prisoners serving life sentences, accounting for 12.3% of the prison population, and 936 prisoners serving life without parole, which made up 3.7% of the prison population.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the number of juveniles (persons age 17 or younger) incarcerated in U.S. adult prisons or jails declined from a peak of 10,420 in 2008 to a low of 2,250 in 2021.
In 2020, there were 2,630 juveniles incarcerated in adult jails and prisons in the United States, with:
● 2,280 juveniles held in USA local jails
● 350 juveniles held in state and federal adult prisons
Nearly half of incarcerated women are serving time for low-level drug offenses or minor property offenses like loitering or trespassing in Oklahoma. Youths are being carted off, sometimes as early as 9 or 10 years old, for playground scuffles and being charged with felonies or taken away from home under the guise of behavioral rehabilitation. Many of the incarcerated have histories of abuse, contributing to mental health problems, which often lead to drug dependency and suicidal ideations.
“I faced many challenges learning and trying to understand the different processes and just how much differently things work going from the classroom to the courtroom, dealing with legal issues at such a young age,” Nic stated. “My experiences influenced my perspective on the criminal justice system in such a negative way. I watched kids get no visits while my mother had to fight to speak to me due to our visitations being taken away. I was locked up with kids whose parents were incarcerated, so even if they were released, they had no home to go to. Growing up, I watched my mother visit my grandfather in prison year after year. Through all of this, I’ve learned that this is not OK. I now know I was not targeted personally; I was targeted systematically. And it took me a moment to understand there was nothing I could do. I’m so grateful for my mother. If it wasn’t for her….if it wasn’t for her.”
3Boy, an Oklahoma music artist who is 20 years old and currently serving a 15-year sentence in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections at an adult facility, knows the hardships of dealing with stardom and incarceration as well. “Transitioning from the studio to recording any new music over a recorded jail phone has been a struggle, but my fans and family keep me motivated to keep putting music out. One thing I want young artists who have not had legal issues to put mountains in the way of their dreams to know is to keep their hands clean and remain focused,” 3Boy stated.
“One thing that stood out to me to be a big difference between my two cases, one in Oklahoma and one in Colorado, was my legal representation.” Nick went on to say, “In both cases, I had public defenders. In Oklahoma, I had Debbie Maddox, a woman who did everything in her power to scare me into the system. In Colorado, I worked with Michael Juba of the Juba law firm. With the support of my attorney, who believed in me, and the support from my community in Denver, I was able to dismiss my case and walk free again.”
Nic went on to mention that several of his favorites have contributed not just to mainstream hip-hop but have also created some bone-chilling and thought-provoking inspirational ballots like “Help Me Please” by the recording artist “Zro” and the new release by artists PauWall & Slim Thug titled “Pop Up Justice,” have had a profound shaping of the sound 4NIC74 has. “I want to do it like they did, but like 4NIC74. I am excited to see how my artistry evolves with inspiration from those who paved the way before me. And that my music will have a purpose! Its purpose is to incite change through vibes and rhythm. Through communication and understanding, and most importantly, through our souls. To feed our souls. And to Save Our Souls!”
“I have the privilege to be mentored by the recording artists C.Lane & Rapping Grandpa as well as artists like Love & Hip Hop OG Benzino being a phone call away if I need some advice as well as my “industry big brother” Trii Music who mentors me daily. You can expect to hear a new genre of a more “conscious” kind of music coming from my latest work, almost like a “Freedom Fighting” kind of sound,” Nicholas excitedly stated.
“I have some upcoming performances with the locally based company Sacred Voice next month, and I am hoping to be on the big stage with McBride Impact Denver’s 2025 Juneteenth celebration. I would also like to be on the Juneteenth stage in Colorado Springs this summer. I am excited and proud of my new single project, “Never Heal,” which premieres on the platform “MyMixTapez” on my little sister’s 7th birthday and the day my mom is released from parole, July 22nd, 2025. That is the day I will start with my fans a clean slate of new art. I will continue my work with the homeless kids here in Denver on Colfax. My family, team, and I pass out hot food every Friday. Everyone will have to keep checking my Nicholas Elijah Evans Facebook page or my Instagram page (4NIC74) for more music and show updates”, 4NIC74 ended with.
4NIC74’s journey through the tumultuous realities of child stardom and the injustices of the juvenile justice system serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of both individuals and families in the face of adversity. His experiences underscore the urgent need for systemic reform, particularly in states like Oklahoma, where disparities in the justice system disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. By sharing his story, Nicholas not only sheds light on his struggles but also advocates for change that could alter the lives of countless others caught in similar predicaments. His determination to rise above his challenges, maintain faith in God’s protection, and recognize the systematic issues at play underscores a broader call to action. It is a plea for society to pay attention, to demand accountability, and to ensure that children and families are treated with compassion and fairness. As he continues on his path, 4NIC74 embodies the spirit of hope, resilience, and the undeniable power of truth in the pursuit of justice and freedom.
Feature photo: Nicholas walking free from court this past Tuesday.
