T.I. is a free man. The 30-year-old rapper was released from the Forrest City federal prison in Arkansas after serving 10 months due to a parole violation.
Shortly after his release T.I. tweeted, “The storm is over & da sun back out. It’s our time to shine shawty! Welcome to the beginning of our happy ending!”
But while T.I. should celebrate his release, he must find a way to make amends to the people he let down by using drugs while on parole.
T.I.’s incarceration affected his family and business partners tremendously. While in jail, he missed his kid’s birthdays, holidays and other quality moments with his family.
On the business end, his use of drugs was a slap in the face to the six record label executives, including Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles, who put up $2.2 million in signature bonds for his release when he faced gun charges in 2007. The employees and artists at his record label also suffered financially due to his absence.
Before his last prison stint, T.I. did an admirable job of speaking to the youth and encouraging them to not make similar mistakes. However, a speech and an apology won’t cut it this time around. Through his actions, T.I. must show contrition and become more responsible.
It’s a privilege to be a successful music artist because longevity in hip-hop is rare. DMX, Mystikal and C Murder were all multiplatinum selling artists who lost millions after prison stints.
Hip-hop fans will determine when T.I. is no longer relevant. But now that he’s one of the top artists in rap, he must take advantage of his opportunities and think about those who have supported him throughout his career. –amir shaw
