T.I.'s "No Mercy" Goes Gold

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Things did not turn out the way T.I. had hoped last year. The rapper initially had plans of celebrating his freedom. He had began working on his seventh album, King Uncaged. The album was led with his triumphant comeback single, "I'm Back."

Despite all the energy T.I. was putting in the album, the songs were not receiving much radio play. T.I.'s comeback was not going according to plans. Soon, T.I. began receiving attention, but it was for all of the wrong reasons.

T.I. was pulled over by the police in Los Angeles and ended up being searched. After being found with illegal drugs in the vehicle, T.I. found himself in a mess. It appeared as if he was going back to prison.

The entire format of his album was changed and the title soon became No Mercy. Half of the songs promoted for the King Uncaged album were dropped and T.I. recorded new songs. These new songs talked about his struggles to keep himself straight while working on rebuilding his career. The most-notable song off the No Mercy album was "Get Back Up" with Chris Brown.

Despite the confusion, the song did fairly well and the album was released before Christmas. T.I. has defied most odds and has put together an album that has certified gold.

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T.I. ft. Chris Brown - "Get Back Up"

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Video of the Day: T.I. - "Get Back Up"

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T.I. discusses Drug Addiction and says He's Been Treated Unfairly

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Recently, T.I. opened up on all of his troubles. The rapper has been in the headlines for his legal woes for the past two years. With a new album on the way, most people are only concerned with his return to prison. But, T.I. plans to set the record straight on a few subjects because people have things confused.

One reason T.I. believes he fell back into the same trap is because of his upbringing. He said people need to put themselves in his position with no male role model and a single mother. His family lived off welfare, so he did what he had to do to. At an early age, a young T.I. began selling drugs and handling guns.

Despite the public being mad at him, T.I. said it does not bother him because it has happened to men greater than him. Just as he says in his "Get Back Up" song, T.I. reminded the people he is only human like them. He questioned how the people can expect him to turn his life around in only a few months. While what he did was wrong, T.I. said it was only three pills and he should have had a lighter sentence.

T.I. has had a drug addicition ever since he came out of prison and it came from him trying to better himself for the media. Upon being released from prison, T.I. had dental work done and he was placed on pain medications so he could handle the pain. But, as time went on, T.I. began to enjoy the pills and he realized he could legally use these pills. From there, the addicition truly began and T.I. has been depending on the pills ever since.

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Video of the Day: T.I. - "Get Back Up"

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T.I. sends Loyal Fans a New Message

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Many fans who supported T.I. through his previous prison sentence and ordeal are very upset with him. After getting out of prison, T.I. apologized to his fans and he promised he would never go back to prison. But, after only being free for a few months, T.I. found himself being sent back to prison for another 11 months.

All of the credibility T.I. had been trying to build upon being freed from prison was lost. In his new video, T.I. touches on this and offers another apology to his fans. He hopes they have not given up on him and he has made another promise to do right when he gets out the next time. From this point on, T.I. promises to be a changed man.

For all of those who still believe in T.I., he left a message:

"Thank you to all that took the time to check out my new video GET BACK UP with my homie Chris Brown. And a bigger thanks to those of you who decided to comment (good & bad). To all of you who say “He should practice what he preaches” and “How could he do something so stupid…AGAIN?” You're absolutely right and I couldn't agree with you more. But you know what? As history has shown us before, I find my greatest inspiration during my darkest hours.




So all fans of music, T.I. or not, should be able to agree that NO MERCY will surely be my best work yet. After all isn't that what it's all about? If I never went to prison, never did drugs, never f'ed up again, did everything right and never made great music….would you even care enough to comment on T.I.? Doubt it, so bear that in mind while you jump to your conclusions guys.



Martin Luther King once said “Notice not the comments of your enemies but the silence of your friends.” So although I'm still in touch…watching, reading and listening, I'm not concerned with what negative people say more than I am with what positive people don't. Guess that's enough for now... Love you all still, whether you still love me or not. REAL TALK!!! And I would like to give a special I LOVE U to @star_omg and @tinymajormama. - Tip"

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