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.


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By: Cyndee on 10/29/2007 12:12AM
Nate: You are a racist, and so are all the people that want to hurt the "white" economy. You speak like an uneducated fool, because you don't understand how the economy works. Take an economics class instead of listening to some attorney on the radio who is out to make a name for himself at your expense. I have many "white" friends who have been by my side through all my ups and downs in life. My best friend in the world is "white" and has been like a sister to me. I will not participate in the "black out" it is childish, and ignorant, and I will do nothing to hurt my friends. If you want to make a statement go protest in Washington. Go get a job. Go get an education. I'm tired of the bull coming from some of my brothers and sisters. Most of this bull is coming from folks that been sitting on the couch too long instead of out working and making a better life for themselves.
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By: cindy on 11/10/2007 8:19AM
Rashid Lonnie Lynn, U hot guys have been to interracialsingleonline.com for interracial dating? why so many users on that place discuss so much about you? May be i need to check what really it happened.
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