TI Walking Tall

“I saw all the crimes that were being committed to people over the
summer — the home invasions, all the people who came from New Orleans
who [were] running through the city having their way with certain
people,” he says of the time leading up to his arrest. “And not only
that, but having the experience of [lifelong friend] Phil [Philant
Johnson] dying in Cincinnati in 2006 [coupled with] my crime knowledge.
The people who killed Tupac have never been arrested. The people who
killed Biggie have never been arrested. The people who killed Jam
Master Jay have never been arrested. No rapper has ever [been] killed
and the crime [was ever] solved. So, I’m looking at history and saying,
well, I’m the easiest person to kill!”

He’s speaking to a theater full of people who have gathered to watch Rev. Young’s documentary, Walking with Guns,
which follows the Grammy-winning star as he visits a New York
rehabilitation center to meet with kids who have been paralyzed by gang
violence. The room is filled with laughter, although at its core, the
situation isn’t funny.

At the height of his career, T.I.
(born Clifford Harris) isn’t supposed to be going to jail again. Sure,
he’d had his run-ins with the law in the past, but those days were
behind him. He was a multiplatinum-selling rapper and budding movie
star with keen business skills. So the idea that he would end up facing
federal time on gun charges was surprising, to say the least. But as
circumstances would have it, Tip is faced with what has perhaps been
his greatest trial so far — and he’s emerged a better man because of
it.

About two months after the Arts Center panel discussion, T.I. sounds oddly upbeat during a telephone interview with rolling out.
Although the fatigue is evident in his voice as he talks about the
future of his business ventures (the Grand Hustle label included), and
his family, he seems to have renewed energy. Over the past year, he’s
been actively putting plans into motion — from the formation of his
sports management company, to the launch of his clothing line and
adding to his label’s roster. The acts that Grand Hustle has signed
over the past 12 months have arguably made the label the most exciting
imprint to watch in a long time. Underground rap hero, Killer Mike;
veteran rap duo, Eightball & MJG; swag-rapper, Yung L.A.; and the
label’s primary draw, the charismatic emcee, B.o.B, all have signed
within the past year. The label’s moves have been critical to its
future success. While T.I. has understandably been focused on getting
his ducks in a row business-wise, his main concern is still his
community, and of course, his family.

“Even more so
than [to elevate] my career, it’s important for me as a man and just a
person to be a man of the people,” the father of six says. “That’s just
my personality type. That’s how I’m made up as a man.”

That’s one of the reasons he’s remained so approachable. One of the few
stars who’s never had a problem mingling with the people while he’s out
and about, T.I.’s reputation with everyday people was rock solid even
before a judge forced him to do 1,500 hours of community service.

“Hiding, ducking and not being out and around as a normal person, just
doesn’t fit my personality,” the 28-year-old says.  

From the time that he emerged on the scene with his debut album, I’m Serious T.I.’s
inner turmoil with trying to do the right thing has been apparent. When
he’s succeeded, the results have been astronomical. Whether it’s
building a rap label from the ground up alongside longtime manager,
Jason Geter, forming a sports management company, securing endorsements
with Chevrolet or creating a clothing line, when Tip is on his A-game,
he’s virtually unstoppable.

But, then, there are the moments
when he’s faltered in making sound decisions. Like when he was caught
trying to buy an arsenal of weapons in the parking lot of an Atlanta
shopping center. It’s the kind of incident that seems at odds with the
wisdom he normally exhibits.

“I’ve always called Tip an old soul,” says DJ Drama, whose music is
distributed through Grand Hustle. “For a young dude, he’s an old soul.
Sometimes he says things that sound like an old man. You forget that
he’s in his twenties sometimes, from his vocabulary and his insight.”

That insight has led to his unique friendship with Rev. Andrew Young,
who has said publicly that T.I. has the capacity to reach young people
in a way that he’s never witnessed before. That capacity for
insightfulness is also why fellow rappers refer to him as a brother,
friend and confidant.

“I know his younger and older cousins,” says Killer Mike, who signed to
Grand Hustle in December 2008 having maintained a friendship with T.I.
for years. “It’s a great feeling to be able to see people being
successful who literally grew up six minutes from you. Like Philant,
T.I.’s friend — God bless the dead — he went to school with my younger
sister. He grew up a few streets behind my grandmother. Having the
ability to be around people and share success with people who you
literally have seen [most of your] life is a great feeling.”

The same feeling that T.I. has evoked in his industry homies, is what
he gives the people that encounter him. That’s probably why it’s been
so easy to help change kids’ lives with the work that he’s done
recently. As he’s traveled from state to state, sitting on panels,
handing out presents during the holidays, giving anti-gun speeches and
spending invaluable time with the wayward youth that need him most, it
seems natural that the time he’s putting in would start to wear on him.
But he says it’s really the opposite.

“To
be honest with you, it’s not draining at all,” says T.I., whose
outreach reality show, “Road to Redemption” began airing on MTV in
February. “It’s fulfilling in a lot of different ways. I enjoy and
appreciate being able to impact people’s lives in a positive way. The
more you can focus on helping others, the more you can take attention
away from you and stop worrying about what’s going on in your life.”  

And those are the very lessons that he plans on instilling in his own
kids. Yes, he may be in trouble right now, but his legacy and impact
goes well beyond any gun charge. His positive presence in his own
children’s lives overshadows any prison cell he may temporarily
inhabit.

“The most important thing I’ve taught my children is the value of
education,” he says easily. “I’ve taught them that all things are
possible through hard work, sacrifice and determination — and that if
you don’t dream, you won’t have.”

With only days left before he begins serving his sentence, T.I. is
preparing himself mentally for the year he faces. Drama, who refers to
him as a brother, says that while he’s spoken words of encouragement to
him, he’s confident his friend will be all right.

“Tip knows what he needs to do,” Drama says. “I tell him to keep his faith and stay positive.”

And that’s exactly what he plans to do. His trials and tribulations
have made him stronger than ever, and he’s prepared to face the future
with his head up.

“As a man, my focus is [putting] one of the darkest periods of my life
behind me and moving on with my life,” he says solemnly. “That’s the
most important thing to me right now — to get back to my family and my
business and life as I know it.”