A 33-year-old music producer, Mykel Cook, has been arrested in New Orleans on charges of intentionally exposing an artist to HIV. Jayvonda Bazile, 38, who performs as Bog Vonnie, accused Cook of knowingly exposing her to the virus without her informed consent. According to Bazile, she learned she was HIV-positive after their professional relationship turned personal. Cook was booked into the Orleans Justice Centre on September 18 and released on a $250,000 bond.
Mykel Cook, also known as MykelOnTheBeat, has production credits with several well-known names in hip-hop, including Boosie BadAzz, Chance the Rapper, Fredo Bang, and NBA YoungBoy. He was initially held without bond pending a Gwen's Law hearing, but a magistrate later set his bond at $250,000 and issued a domestic protective order for Bazile. Cook has prior domestic violence convictions, from 2021 in St. Charles Parish and 2023 in Jefferson Parish.
Jayvonda Bazile says she and Cook met in 2018, when he agreed to help her pursue a music career before becoming her producer. According to the arrest affidavit, their professional relationship eventually turned personal. Bazile claims that Cook knew his own HIV status for years but did not inform her, leading to her HIV diagnosis.
Louisiana's intentional exposure law makes it a crime to knowingly expose another person to HIV without their informed consent. The state has one of the highest HIV diagnosis rates in the country, ranking fourth nationally in 2022, with 252 new diagnoses recorded in 2023 alone. The law carries up to 10 years in prison for those convicted.
Bazile has asked to be publicly identified, saying she wants people in the music community to take HIV testing seriously and fears others may have been exposed as well. She believes that Cook's actions put others at risk, and she wants to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and disclosure.
The case is ongoing, and Cook has not entered a public plea. He was released on bond and is awaiting further proceedings. The arrest has raised concerns about HIV awareness and testing in the music industry, with many calling for greater education and prevention efforts.
The incident highlights the importance of HIV testing and disclosure, particularly in the music industry where artists and producers often work closely together. The case serves as a reminder of the need for greater awareness and education about HIV prevention and the consequences of knowingly exposing others to the virus.
Key points
- Mykel Cook faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of intentionally exposing Jayvonda Bazile to HIV.
- Louisiana has one of the highest HIV diagnosis rates in the country, ranking fourth nationally in 2022.
- The case has raised concerns about HIV awareness and testing in the music industry.
