T.I. in prison until September 29

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Throughout his life, T.I. has had several troubles with the law enforcement. He speaks of this on his song, "Still Ain't Forgave Myself." However, three years later, T.I. was arrested right when his career took off.

Following his 2004 bid, T.I. came out stronger than ever, hitting new peaks in his career. In 2008, T.I. reached new heights and the sky was the limit. It was during this period when things came crashing down.

T.I. was sent back to prison over a gun charge he picked up in 2007 after his life was threatened. In 2010, T.I. was released from prison and determined to get back to the top. But, as he climbed, he stumbled and landed back in prison.

There were rumors T.I.'s most-recent prison sentence ending this past week. While T.I.'s lawyer denied this, the embattled rapper was released from prison anyways. However, there was controversy surrounding how T.I. left the facility. His using a tour bus landed him right back in prison. Recently, it was revealed that T.I.'s next prison release will be on September 29, 2011.

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Does T.I. do this to Himself?

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The past few years have been tough on urban entertainers. It seems as if all of the urban entertainers are going to jail for one thing or another. While many stars have gone down, T.I. has become the poster child of how not to handle the situation. For the second straight time, T.I. was sent to prison right after getting out.

In 2008, T.I. was sentenced to prison, with the sentence beginning in the spring of 2009. At the time, T.I. was at the peak of his career, with a double platinum album and three hit singles. In 2007, T.I. was arrested for illegal possession of weapons. However, the Atlanta rapper was fearing for his life.

Because of this, the fans and the hip hop community, rallied around T.I. until he got out. Early in 2010, T.I. was a free man and everyone was rooting for him. Despite the people rooting for him, T.I. was having trouble putting out a hit single. It seemed as if all of his singles were lacking, but still the people were ready for a strong T.I. comeback.

After being a free man for only six months, T.I. went to Los Angeles and was busted for drug possession. It was then when many began to question the judgement of T.I. While T.I. is a good rapper and an astute businessman, it made no sense for him to even consider using drugs, let alone getting caught with them. The rapper was sent back to prison for an eleven month stint. Recently, T.I. was released from prison and he informed the police he would provide his own transportation away from the prison.

However, T.I. was picked up by a tour bus of all vehicles. Obviously, the law enforcement would not want someone of T.I.'s stature, or anyone for that matter, to leave prison in a tour bus. The only argument from T.I.'s camp was the rule was ridiculous and that the officers took pictures by the bus. Initially, T.I. was the victim, but his last two trips to prison are due from lack of common sense. Common sense says not to consider using drugs when out on bail, out past curfew, and out of town. Common sense also says not to ride back from prison on a tour bus.

It may sound a little harsh, but T.I.'s last two prison sentences are all his fault, he knows he is targeted because of his success.

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T.I. headed Back to Prison

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

From the look of things, T.I.'s freedom will be on hold for a little while longer. The situation surrounding T.I.'s prison release has been strange anyways, to say the least. Initially, a story broke, saying T.I. would be released from prison on September 1, but his lawyer denied this.

Immediately following the denial, T.I. was released from prison, as announced. While T.I. was released from prison, the federal prison system was investigating the release. It turns out they did not approve of T.I.'s vehicle of choice. When a prisoner arranges their own release, it has to be done a certain way.

Usually, a prisoner has to leave prison in something that will not attract too much attention. T.I. left on an extravagant tour bus and this has landed him right back in prison. The federal courts are saying they were misled by T.I., as he had them believing he would leave in a van, or another low-key vehicle. T.I. mouthed off at the federal marshals for getting him on such a ridiculous violation.

T.I. is now being held in federal custody.

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T.I. writes fans One More Letter

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Since being sent back to prison, last October, T.I. has been very remorseful. Admitting he messed up, T.I. promised he would do better when he got out. While the past year may have gone by quickly to the fans, it could not have gone by fast enough for Tip.

T.I. has written several letters to his fans, since he has been in prison. The past eleven months have gone by rather quickly and the Grand Hustle rapper is already focusing on a comeback. He released a single in June with many more to come.

Read T.I.'s letter to the fans below:

What up world? This will be my last message from Forrest City. Just reaching out and sending my love, respect and appreciation to all who have been ridin’ with me throughout this chapter in my life and not just recently but since all the things started happening one after another back in ’06. From Big Phil’s murder to my beautiful little angel Leiah being called home to heaven, to my arrest in ’07, the 1st prison sentence in ’09, to this last journey that I’m nearing the end of. A lot of people who are aware of all that has happened to me in my life say that there aren’t many men who could have endured and withstood so much pain, pressure and turmoil while managing to remain sane and keep their wits about them. I must say that I wouldn’t have been able to do so without God’s grace and having a strong support system behind me every step of the way. So often we spend time acknowledging the presence of “haters” and all the negativity they send our way but we don’t take the time to acknowledge and appreciate all the ones who love and support us and supply us with the positive energy we need to overcome. We complain about the pain so much that we don’t even notice how much stronger, wiser and better of a person the suffering has allowed us to become. I heard Pac say once “To live is to suffer and to survive is to find meaning in that suffering.” I later found out it came from an author by the name of Friedrich Nietzsche. When I heard Pac say that it was just some hard shit to hear your favorite rapper say before he kicked a verse. Now that I’ve gone through it and grown from it those words have a real true meaning to me. I know this won’t be my last battle with adversity but it has truly prepared me for whatever else may come in the future. For that also I’m thankful. Now it goes without saying that I hate I had to come back to prison for these 10 months but I am truly grateful for the knowledge, growth and understanding I’ve received from the experience.


Next time you hear from me I’ll be back out there with you. Doing for those who can’t do for themselves and speaking for those whose voices are never heard. When I touch down, I’m going all the way back to square one, like I’m fresh in the game and never sold a record. Back on some I’M SERIOUS, TRAP MUZIK shit… But until then RESPECT to all who deserve it. I’ll be back at you in a minute.

- KING

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Young Dro provides and Update on T.I.

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Fans felt let down when T.I. was caught with drugs last September, only months after being released from prison. Before going back to prison, T.I. promised his fans he would do better. Since going back behind bars, T.I. has managed to remain in the headlines.

Five years ago, T.I. introduced the world to Young Dro. Young Dro, in turn, introduced the world to the "Shoulder Lean." Following his explosive hit, Young Dro was expected to blow up. He did a few collaborations since, but has not released another album.

Recently, Young Dro gave fans an update on T.I. Despite being behind bars, T.I. is staying connected. Young Dro said he spends most of his time on the internet. Dro usually emails him catalogs of different clothes and shoes and T.I. will phone him to tell him what he wants.

T.I. is currently serving his final month in prison and Young Dro said he will come out a better man. Despite slipping up, Young Dro said T.I. will more than make up for his mistakes when he gets out. Dro said because he is not an evil person, T.I. and his team will rise to prosper again.

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T.I.'s Prison Release Date Announced

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last year, T.I. appeared to be making rights for the wrongs that landed him in prison. T.I. came out of prison with a focus on business and being a role model. Along the way, he was also trying to regain his position in the rap game.

In October, he was hit with a harsh reality. Out in Los Angeles, the rapper, along with Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, his wife, were pulled over by police officers for speeding. Their vehicle was searched and drugs were found in the vehicle.

Immediately, T.I. was taken into police custody and he was sent back to prison. Having violated his probation, T.I. was forced to serve eleven months in prison. Since being in prison, many of his artists have discussed his situation.

This situation will be over for T.I. on September 29, 2011, when he can finally get his life back on track.

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Lady Luck talks Remy Ma's prison sentence

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Behind bars, Remy Ma had been forgotten by most of the fans in the hip hop community. In the middle of Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj trading insults, many forgot about the woman who kept a female voice in the game in between Kim and Nicki. But, Remy Ma has made news as she fights to get out of prison.

Juelz Santana gave her props for doing what most men cannot even do, serve hard time in prison. Santana says there are many rappers who claim to be tough. While they claim to be tough, very few of them have served time like Remy Ma has. Lil Wayne and T.I. had high profile sentences, but they were out within a year.

Lady Luck is the latest person to discuss Remy Ma's prison sentence and she is also supporting her. She knows Remy Ma is a very strong woman because of her own experiences. By no means is Lady Luck weak, but when she served 110 days in prison, she felt as if she was going to die. Remy Ma has been in prison for over three years and she is still fighting and still in her right mind.

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T.I. talks "No Mercy" sales and Thanks Fans

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

This year has been very rocky for T.I. as it was supposed to be his first year truly free. T.I. lost his second chance and has been working overtime to repair his image. He had to change the concept of his album at the last minute and still release it before the end of the year.

Even with all of the complications, T.I.'s true fans have stuck with him all of the way. When No Mercy was released, they went out and purchased their copy. The album sold over 150,000 copies in its first week and landed in the top five. Because of this, T.I. has reason to celebrate.

T.I. said he was very glad to have fans who support him through the good and the bad. Because they stuck with him and purchased his album, he offered a thank you. The fans are T.I.'s inspiration and he promised them he would not take them down this road again. While he is celebrating his album sales, T.I. is planning for his release from prison when he officially gets himself back on track.

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