By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
I have absolute proof that there's more than meets the eye when it comes to T.I.
Yesterday afternoon, I joined the platinum selling hip-hop icon and what seemed like a 40-member entourage for a tour of the Upper and Lower Ninth Wards of New Orleans -- the income-challenged areas of the city most ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
For T.I., who is headlining the tour "Screamfest '07" -- which kicks off at the New Orleans Arena tonight -- it was a return to a startling reality. "This is not my first time here," he explained. "I done seen cars upside down," he said of the images he witnessed from his last tour of the city. "Before it was just inhumane at that time."
He does see the progress that has been made, but said that he always knew there was a level of devastation that wouldn't be able to be remedied quickly. "It's going to be an ongoing, uphill battle."
"This is home to me," said Larry Barabino, Jr., the Director of the New Orleans Recreational Department, who served as an official tour guide of the areas affected.
A New Orleans native, Barabino shared his story of how he and his family was displaced to Dallas after the storm. "I live in Gentilly," he explained. "I got back to the city in December 05. I rebuilt my home. I had six feet of water. I rebuilt my home and moved back in because it was home. I grew up in the St. Bernard Housing Projects so for me to own a home, I'm one of the first. I'm the first male out my family to even go to college. So this is personal.""So when you see people that's working in the city that stood here that went through the storm, it's personal," he continued.
As previously reported in The BV Newswire, the chart-topping rapper (legally known as Clifford Harris) has taken part in Urban Farming, a groundbreaking Detroit-area based initiative focused on eradicating hunger by planting gardens of food in on vacant lots, city building rooftops and even around office building landscapes.
"We're doing things within our own power to try to make things happen," T.I. said in regards to his involvement with Urban Farming -- which is working closely with developing a garden in the Lower Ninth Ward where the former Cash Money Records rapper B.G. said his family originated.
Urban Farming, a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, was founded by Taja Sevelle, a former Prince protégé with ties to the music industry. Since its inception in 2005, the foundation has partnered with The Home Depot, Atlantic Records, Starbucks, Whole Foods and the St. Louis Rams, among other major organizations.
"We feel that this is a vital and meaningful solution to the issues of hunger, food insecurity and providing healthy nutrition," she said about their efforts.
Throughout the expansive tour, the group visited areas such as Pontchartrain Park, located in the Upper Ninth Ward -- an area whose home ownership was all African-American and had the highest voter turnout rate than any other district in the city. The neighborhood had 10-14 feet of water in some areas, Barabino said.
It's now nearly vacant.
"This community has stood up and has walked really loud," Barabino said.
"And this is home, and we're coming back first and we damn sure wont be the last with the rebuilding effort."
"Whatever it is that I ain't able to make it here for, my man right here is hands on with it... he represents us, he represents me," T.I. assured Barabino about B.G. -- who was displaced to Detroit for a while after the storm but now is back home and taking charge of his life and career. "We're going to do as much as we can, as much as possible."
VIDEO: TI Takes Tour of Hurricane Katrina Devastation Nearly Two Years Later
Comments: (12)
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By: Regina Grundy on 8/03/2007 6:14PM
He is one Rapper that DOES CARE? with his sexy self that just makes him even more handsome. Gotta give it to the brother. I will continue to support him and the people of new orleans are in my prayers. GOD BLESS
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By: Regina Grundy on 8/03/2007 6:16PM
Oh yeah i forgot BG?
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By: Debbie on 8/03/2007 10:58PM
This shows T.I maturity at the highest level. I was in New Orleans in July for the Music Festival and I just had to see what progress has been made. Katrina Hurricane is still going on even today, Yes the rain is not coming down to break the levees but New Orleans is still suffering from Katrina. I am glad T.I is doing what he can to show this.
Debbie
New York
www.DebbieDonovanTravel.com
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By: Tradon Williams on 8/04/2007 1:49PM
That's wassup to the big homey, and fellow Bankhead vet T.I. Being from where we from, seeing adversity is everyday living. But for those who haven't visited the
N.O., it's definately something to see. AS a Falcon fan, we went to the first game back in the Superdome and just driving through the city seeing neighborhoods and apartment complexes abandoned was literally crazy. And it the midst of all that, there was still that, "It's all good" feeling throughout the citizens who came back to rebuild. That's the true strength of New Orleans. Do your thing TIP.
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By: gc on 8/05/2007 7:08AM
I think it's good what T.I. is doing. Too bad he couldn't talk Michael Vick into helping out with this positive project, instead of the negative things Vick has done with all this alleged dog fighting. We need more 'positivity' in the black community. More black celebs need to jump on the bandwagon and do good things for the less fortunate. After all, most of their CD and DVD sales come from those who really can't afford it because they wish they could live that glamarous looking life; which I'm sure isn't really all that glamarous all the time. A lot of hard work, and fierce competition to stay on top.
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By: Tammy on 8/04/2007 11:39PM
Much respect for TI for having a genuine heart & concert about New Orleans. From what I understand, there isn't that much process in rebuilting going on. I think that's very sad. I can feel the pain in BG voice when discussing N.O. More work needs to be done.the government is not doing enough.
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By: CJ on 8/04/2007 11:45PM
Its about time the rap community pitches in to help us out in the N.O. Thank You T I for all of your support!!
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By: Nicole on 8/05/2007 12:07PM
After seeing this, you can't help but to respect T.I for what he does. He has millions of fans and supporters but showing this side of himself takes the popularity even deeper in my opinion. I love him, I adore him and I will support anything that he is involved in. Keep your head up New Orleans and keep making us proud T.I. We love you baby!
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By: cool breeze on 8/07/2007 7:08AM
It's one thing to continue to go an look at the devestation, it's another to actually, do something about it. What does TI plan on doing about it. Will he now, become a Activist and speak out on the injustices that has plagued the people of New Orleans every since the disaster and speak to Power? Or will he just use this as anoter "Photo Opt"?
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By: Meghan Dise on 8/07/2007 1:00AM
T.I. is speaking the truth. It will take a while to rebuild. A Home is a Home mo matter where you stay. I believe if people start caring about New Orleans then their goin to start rebuilding and giving N.O. residents their homes back. I Love You T.I. I wish one day I can meet you instead of just seeing you in concert. Bye!!!!!!!!!
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