By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Just like T.I., rappers RZA and Common are world renowned and much respected among the hip-hop community.
They both also co-star alongside the jailed rapper in the upcoming Denzel Washington/Russell Crowe epic 'American Gangster' – which opens on Nov. 2.
"We all gotta realize that we have to grow up as men, and the things we did as boys can't be done anymore," RZA told The BV Newswire, in relation to T.I.'s recent arrest and imprisonment for machine gun charges.
"Not only are we men in age and maturity but we are also men of stature and everything that we do is being watched and we have to recognize that," the Wu Tang Clan co-founder continued. "One of my security guards said 'Don't you ever buy a gun, because you can afford all the security,'" he shared before I interjected that the price of a gun is far less cheaper than security detail.
"Not when the results are like this, it's nowhere near cheaper," he argued. "You have to have a little foresight."
"I don't know the situation with T.I. and every man is innocent until proven guilty," the Staten Island native said, adding, "I actually think he's a good dude. I don't believe that he really had anything to do with this because he doesn't seem that kind of guy. He wasn't that kind of guy when I met him."
Believe it or not, Common -- legally known as Rashid Lonnie Lynn -- plays T.I.'s father in the Ridley Scott-helmed film. The Chicago-reared recent chart-topper also shared his disbelief of the machine gun charges that the Atlantic Records rapper -- legally known as Clifford Harris, Jr. --is facing. "I don't believe what they accused him of what he did. I just don't," he said.
"He's a good guy, a very good guy... anybody can say that 'this guy did this and this guy did that' but if we don't know what the true story we can't give a solid comment," he added.
Common even sent some advice out to T.I. -- who pleaded not guilty on the weapons charges and was ordered to be detained for another week: "Continue to pray and know that God is with him. Know that He knows what the truth is and the truth is going to allow [you] to get out and be alright."
Defense attorneys for the Grammy Award winning Atlanta hip-hop superstar asked a federal judge to release the rapper on $2.2 million bond and allow him to have monitored home confinement while he awaits trial on weapons charges.
Indicted by a federal grand jury Oct. 17 on weapons charges, including possession of machine guns, the 27-year-old Atlanta native reportedly faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count.
Comments: (162)
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By: pootietang on 10/20/2007 11:27AM
Down goes Frazier!! Down goes Frazier!! - Taken from "ATL"
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By: Afan on 10/20/2007 2:40PM
"We all gotta realize that we have to grow up as men, and the things we did as boys can't be done anymore," RZA told The BV Newswire, in relation to T.I.'s recent arrest and imprisonment for machine gun charges.
RZA, you have gained my respect with your statement.
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By: Brent on 10/20/2007 3:27PM
That ni_____ bought all those weapons. I know he did.
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By: sharifah sadiq on 10/20/2007 5:25PM
In my opinion smoking weed, trees or what ever you may want to call it causes "PARANOIA" NOT TO MENTION HAVING AS MUCH MONEY AS HE DOES. Again in my opinion he was asking for help when he made that song TI vs. TIP. It looks like he is aware of his split personality issues as well as paranoia. We all have skeletons in the closet. Its what we do with them that makes a difference in the outcome of our futures and or consequences.
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By: JC on 10/20/2007 10:23PM
Sometimes we do things without considering the negative consequences of our actions. It's called "Learning From Experience". However we must educate ourselves to learn from the mistakes of others. This method is a lot less stressful! However; Who am I to comment? After all, I Don't Know Him! Or in T.I.'s own words: "U Don't Know Me"!
Instantly Turn your Computer into a Super TV! http://www.television-on-internet.com/
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By: Niles Frazier on 10/21/2007 10:52AM
Uppity ass n4436ers playing with guns, how stupid can it get? Respect? My ass! No respect for grown men who continue to act like juvenile delinquents. Y
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By: Robin on 10/21/2007 11:43AM
It makes me angry that everyone is so disrespectful to each other. We cry about our past, but we continue to make a mess of our future. We say "Nig_er" is a forbidden word, but "Nig_a" is a term of endearment. We say we want equality, but we shout injustice when a brother is busted for his crime because we don't want our own to take responsibility for the choices they make. We holla that we want success, but we bad mouth those who obtain success (i.e. Oprah and Bill Cosby). We testest anyone who makes a better life unless they hand part of it to us. We protect the "thugs" and lynch the successful through our words. We put down all other races because they think different than we do. We still live in the days of slavery, and should remember, but should not keep ourselves there mentally as we are holding OURSELVES back. I'm a black woman who has seen my share of troubles, but each person has a choice whether to live in the past and keep themselves down, or live in the present and work towards a good future of success. We can't move forward if we don't stop living in the past. Yes, we were slave, yes we were treated like animals, but we have many doors opened up to us that are not being used because we sit behind closed doors feeling sorry for ourselves.
The "Nigg_" word keeps us in the past and reminds the rest of the world to think of us as nothing more than what we were. If you don't treat yourself and others with respect, then no one gonna treat you with respect!
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By: SoulnSong on 10/21/2007 4:00PM
Man,
That dude just trynna be like Uncle Frank. He trynna get what Uncle Frank got. That's all it is...
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By: verily on 10/21/2007 6:10PM
It would be nice to see Denzel in good guy roles again. For all we know all the rewarding of him for gangsterism may have influenced young TI, the rapper who stars in the movie, to get REAL weapons! Hollywood has GOT to start portraying some of the MILLIONS of NORMAL black people as characters in their movies! Sheesh! Btw, everyone vote for Melanie B. on DANCING WITH THE STARS tomorrow night ( Monday) at 8:00. You have until a half hour after the show to call in your vote, but please don't wait til then! The number to call - from EACH phone you have - is 1 (800) 868-3405. You can also text message if you have an AT&T or Cingular phone. She's great and deserves to win, but the votes need to come in for her! You can vote SEVERAL times from EACH phone when you call in. So please do so! Thanks! Here's a sample of why she deserves to win! : :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN9Cqk7_3Nk
Verily
Verily
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By: ME!!! on 10/22/2007 3:11AM
DONT FORGET ABOUT THE BLACKOUT ON NOVEMBER 2ND, DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING ON NOVEMBER 2ND.
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