Another chapter in rapper's ongoing drama

By DAMON C. WILLIAMS

The shooting of rap star Beanie Sigel once again thrusts the popular South Philly rapper into the spotlight, months after his release from prison:

March 1976: Beanie was born Dwight Grant in Philadelphia.

1998: Made first official recording. "Crew Love" with Jay-Z appeared on the soundtrack to the urban film "Belly."

1999: A busy year for Beanie. He appeared on numerous albums and soundtracks, including top-selling releases by Jay-Z, P. Diddy and Memphis Bleak. Also appeared on soundtracks to films "Light It Up" and "Hard Knock Life: Backstage." Also released his critically-acclaimed debut LP, "The Truth."

2000: Sigel was featured on DJ Clue?'s popular mix tape, "The Professional 2."

2001: The Philly-based rap crew State Property (Peddi Peddi, Freeway, Oschino, Sparks and The Young Gunz) form, with Beanie recognized as group leader. They put out a platinum-selling, self-titled album later that year. "State Property" the movie also was released, and Sigel also launched the "State Property" clothing line. Sigel releases his second LP, "The Reason."

2003: Sigel faces serious legal drama. In April, Sigel tosses a handgun out of his car after he's pulled over by police, who find cough medicine, 20 Percocets and 20 Xanax pills. He gets hit with narcotics and illegal weapons charges. In July, Sigel allegedly shoots a man outside a Philly nightclub. Meanwhile, his follow-up record, "State Property Presents The Chain Gang, Vol. 2," is released.

2004: Sigel is sentenced to a year and a day in prison for weapons and drug charges, stemming from his April '03 encounter with police. He beats the charges from the July '03 shooting.

2005: Sigel released his third album, "The B. Coming," while in prison. "State Property 2" is screened at the 2005 Philadelphia Film Festival.

Sigel donated $5,000 to aid the search for missing Philadelphia woman Latoyia Figueroa just before his release from prison in August.

Sigel's stepfather, Samuel Derry Jr., was shot to death and set on fire in a Mount Airy alley in October. A 22-year-old North Philadelphia man was charged with Derry's murder. Sigel also disbands the State Property group while linking up with music mogul Dame Dash and the Dame Dash Music Group.

Sigel was briefly jailed in November for failing to pay $29,000 in court-ordered child support.

2006: Sigel was sentenced to probation for an assault that occurred in 2003, in which he allegedly broke a 53-year-old man's eye socket.

Yesterday: Sigel was shot once in the right arm during what he told police was a botched robbery. According to reports, Sigel was approached by four men in two cars.