After spending the last 10 months languishing in a federal correctional facility for a parole-violating drug arrest, rapper T.I. will soon become in free man, next month. And with his sentence coming to an end on Sept. 29, T.I. posted his final prison letter on his website, TrapMuzik.com, Aug. 16, reflecting on the lessons he’s learned and the plans he’s made behind bars.
“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,” wrote T.I. “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.”
In the letter, T.I. also explains how late rapper Tupac Shakur helped him to discover the inspirational words of 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
“I heard Pac say, ‘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,” wrote T.I. “When I heard Pac say that, it was just some hard s— 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.”
For T.I., those words helped him to turn his negative situation into an enlightening experience, one that he says he is more than grateful for.
“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,” wrote T.I. “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.”
As T.I. closes the letter, he explains that after his release, he’ll focus more time on his philanthropic endeavors as well as his music, which will reflect his earlier, hungrier days as a rapper.
“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,” wrote T.I. “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 s— … But until then RESPECT to all who deserve it. I’ll be back at you in a minute.”
See you soon, T.I. –nicholas robinson
