Whitney Houston Tribute At 'Billboard Music Awards'
'Celebrity Apprentice' Finale: Who Got Hired?
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
T.I. and BET Awards just don't seem to mix well -- at all.
The platinum-selling hip-hop superstar finds himself in the midst of legal trouble on the heels of starring in 'American Gangster' -- the Ridley Scott-helmed epic drama headlined by Academy Award winners Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe and Cuba Gooding, Jr. -- and an expected sweep of the BET Hip-Hop Awards, which were scheduled to take place tonight at Atlanta.
Earlier today, federal authorities were executing a search warrant on the Atlanta home of the 'Big Things Poppin' rap star.
Special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives spent most of Saturday afternoon at the College Park residence about 15 miles southwest of the city, reported the Associated Press.
ATF spokesman Special Agent Marc S. Jackson would not say who the owner of the home is, but a search of property records listed the owner as Clifford Harris, which is T.I.'s born name.
According to TMZ.com, T.I. was arrested this afternoon on multiple weapons charges after they say he had a bodyguard try to buy machine guns and silencers for him. (Read the complete state from the Department of Justice here.)
Sydney Margetson, Vice President of Publicity for Atlantic Records, offered "no comment," when reached by The BV Newswire today.
The irony here is that T.I. (who is up for nine awards for the show that is expected to air on Oct. 17) was embroiled in another sordid drama -- in relation to the 2007 BET Awards in Los Angeles in June. As widely reported, the 'A.T.L.' star and Ludacris' crony Chaka Zulu broke out in fisticuffs during the "Make It Happen Power Brunch" at Hollywood's Sunset Towers Hotel.
This was during a week of star-studded festivities celebrating the awards show which boasts about celebrating "Black Star Power."
T.I., also a celebrity for Chevy automobiles, publicly apologized for his role in the melee during the live broadcast of the show.
A week later, he was #1 on the Billboard charts with his newest album, 'T.I. vs. TIP,' which sold close to half a million copies in its first week of release.
'American Gangster,' in which he stars as an ambitious relative of reputed Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, opens Nov. 2.
Comments: (369)
Add a comment
By: rsmith005 on 10/15/2007 8:15AM
It is really shameful that rappers and black men in general can not stay out of trouble, or trouble follows them. You are an embarrassment to the black race and for the injustices that our fore-fathers fought and died for. Their dreams and visions have made it possible for people such as TI to be able to become millionaires and contend with the white race. You guys already know when one black person does something wrong we all are looked at as one in the same. They think of us as wild, untamed, animals, ignorant, and not their equals. Take a look around at those you know (blacks) that can fit into one of those descriptions. Don't get me wrong I LOVE my black people, but it is time for us to represent us. Stop blaming white people for our actions and let’s find a solution, such as blacks making sure that they taking care of their own to start. TI and you other black law breaking ass holes grow up and "STOP BREAKING THE LAW". You want to represent the hood? Go and rectify some of the wrongs done to us? You can start by getting involved in such efforts as providing books to schools. Schools can’t provide enough books for the students in many public schools which are mainly black GO DONATE BOOKS. Provide computers to the local public schools so that up and rising black people can be ready for world that is built on technology. Build community centers, build businesses that can employ some blacks, GET INVOLVED. These negative messages that you are sending to our young blacks are helping them to achieve one of two things jail or death. Look for peace within yourselves and ask GOD for that inner strength healing, not to forget but to forgive. Set your soul free so that you can become a help to those who need you and not a hindrances through the words you speak, and the actions that you portray.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Windycty1 on 10/16/2007 10:59PM
All i have to say is brothers and sisters especially you young ones y'all better watch your backs. you know there watching every move you make especially if you have money and or a huge following. Wake up. There's no such thing as freedom of speech or just plain freedom for us.
So choose your words and deeds carefully. Big brother is watching us.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: londa on 10/15/2007 8:25AM
T.I. stupid, stupid, stupid!!! you got all that $ why on GOD's green earth are you doing these stupid things. you got body guards right? so therefore if you're in danger of your life and folks tring to kill you cant the bodyguards do what they have to do to protect you! that is their job, RIGHT? stop tring to be so hood and do what you have to do for your family. you were just on b.e.t. talking all that stuff and here you go. please get it together.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: be21 on 10/15/2007 8:23AM
T.I. is a legal adult with a family. He's young, black and successful not always a good combination. With success comes responsibility not only to ones self but to your children. He has a responsibility to his children to be a responsible and positive role model.One that is home with them, not being visited behind prison bars by them. Being wealthy does not make you a good parent or person. No one is out to get him or Michael Vick, they allowed themselves to get into their respective situations. They have no one else to blame. Neither the white man or poverty placed them in these situations. They made the choices that put themselves in these situations, and now must be accountable for their actions.Am I, "Hate'n cause I ain't them?" Nah, I enjoy being there with my child too much.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: blackdadd1696 on 10/15/2007 8:35AM
Well you life that lifstyle this is what you get . You dont see white celebs going out like this .(SMH)
http://r.yuwie.com/blackdaddy1696
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: LORRAINE on 10/15/2007 8:32AM
WHY WON'T THESE CELEB'S OR RAPPERS WAKE UP AND SEE GOD HAS GIVEN THEM SUCH A BLESSING AND THEY DO NOTHING BUT THROW IT AWAY. LEARN TO DO GOOD NOT EVIL.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ATL resida on 10/15/2007 8:38AM
This is a lesson to everyone. u cant trust nobody. this whole thing was a huge set up. his bodyguard snitched on him. i personally think that bodyguard was placed in that field of work, to get somebody jammmed up in the rap industry. then everybody also needs to know that there is always a weak link in every crew an a watchful eye should be kept at all times. and even though ti shoulnt have been gettin that type of heat, i dont blame him for wanting to protect himself and squad cause anybody can be touched and he didnt want it to be on him. Stay Up boy. da ATL got yo back.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Shell on 10/15/2007 8:35AM
HATERS,HATERS STOP PUTTING LABELS ON PEOPLE THATS PEOPLE PROBLEM NOW.DOESNT HAVE NOTHING TO DO ABOUT WHERE N WHAT HIS CAREER IS, JUDGES ,LAW MAKERS,N POLITICIANS DO THE SAME THING BUT U KNW WHAT THEY DONT GET CAUGHT CUZ THE COLOR OF THE SKIN SO ALL YALL HATERS GO TO HELL WITH GASOLINE DRAWERS ON ,RACIST FUCKS,N HATERS.OH YEA DONT EXPECT FOR THOSE GATES TO OPEN UP FOR YALL.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Angela Ricks on 10/15/2007 8:49AM
To much is given much is required. Keep your head up and learn from this experience. If you end up in the public eye your life is on display. Put God first and be a role model for your kids. I am praying that whatever the outcome that God will get the glory. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: baybay on 10/15/2007 8:45AM
TI remember this I will ALWAYS stand by you no matter what.(That's what real friends do) I will continue to pray for you and may God see you through this hard time. So continue doing your thing and keep God first.
Reply to this Comment | Report This