Should T.I. attend Hip-Hop Summit?
T.I.
According to the official press release from Russell Simmons‘ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network:
In a special appearance, Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist, film star and hip-hop icon Clifford “T.I.” Harris, Jr. reaffirms his commitment to community service by participating in the upcoming Turn Up the Vote National Hip-Hop Summit at Temple University on Sunday, April 20, 2008 in Philadelphia, PA.
The Summit is sponsored by The Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund (HREF), PowerPAC and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia to participate in the Hip-Hop Summit,” T.I. emphasized.
“We are going to encourage young people to go out to vote. I personally know the value of having the right to vote and it taken away from you, but I will add my voice to help inspire others to take seriously this right and responsibility.”
Russell Simmons stated, “T.I.’s commitment to serve and to give back to the community is a shining example of the best of hip-hop. T.I. will join me, Ciara, Jim Jones and a host of other artists to get out the vote across the state of Pennsylvania.”
T.I. was already a convicted felon when arrested in October last year on federal gun charges. He was released from house arrest and is now completing 1000 hours of community service.
Do you think T.I. should be given a platform to encourage young people to vote?
How is T.I. going to encourage kids to vote when as a convicted felon, he can’t even vote?
First of all Biggie if you are a convivted felon doesnt mean you cant encourage young people to not follow his path!!! We as men are not perfect and Ti is no exception. All blacks face a uphill battle because we are still looked at as the lesser race!!! If TI wants to come and uplift some kids he can do that, he can tell kids to not go jail be a doctor, lawyer, and most importantly believe in themselves!!! Change isnt gonna come without hardship and trying and our change is in future young blacks biggie!!!
I agree flymike, but I also agree with Biggie.
It’s fine to say T.I. can “uplift some kids” by speaking to them, but as leaders the most important thing to do is LEAD BY EXAMPLE. T.I. was given the ULTIMATE chance to turn his life around when he became a hip-hop success story. But instead of choosing to keep positive and appreciate all of the blessings he was given, he made some very foolish mistakes when he should have known much, much better.
To that point I don’t think he should be attending such a positive event as this; even though I’m sure his intentions are real and he has remorse for his actions, there are a lot of young people who I’m sure will be in attendance who will continue to associate T.I. with everything they know about him, which includes his criminal activity.
Hip-Hop to me is about the music the artist puts out not about what the artist does…let him attend
In a word, NO! The brother clearly has not demonstrated the ability to reform himself. I know it’s not popular to make such an assertion but I’m getting tired of trying to explain away bad behavior by grown men. It would be one thing if it were a singular incident, however, the brother has engaged in a pattern of self-destructive behavior that does little to help black people.
This forum, created by Russell, needs to be reserved for brothers and sisters who consistently engage in activities that uplift the community. This can include those who have participated in criminal activity but have atoned for it and come correct through their deeds and actions. When TI gets his act together and stops behaving like a damn thug, he can return.
Also, for the individual who claimed that we face an uphill battle because we are viewed as lesser race, cry me a river. It’s one thing to be a victim of structural racism (employment discrimination, socioeconomic neglect, etc), it’s quite another to perpetuate one’s own oppression by engaging in activities that seem to validate racial stereotypes, i.e., blackness linked to criminality.
Further, for the person who said it’s about the music and not the individual who makes it… I find it difficult to separate the message from the messenger. People in positions of influence need to conduct themselves in a manner that is positive — this can start with these so-called parents (basically babies having babies) who have failed to raise their children properly.
With all this said. Yes, let TI attend the summit but don’t give him a platform until his actions back up his words. He needs to EARN his spot and come correct.
Peace!
yea
wattup flymike?
He should still be allowed to encourage young people to vote because they’re a lot of people that still look up to him. So, he could really make a difference.
http://www.Collars2pop.com
yeah he should be allowed to show up. It’s just too bad that the bad of T.I. over shadows the good.
That being said if he wasn’t allowed to go, that would send a bad message to the community.
As for the whole race thing. I agree to an extent… But we keep each other down as much if not more than others do to us. I’m medium toned so I get it from both sides lol. From darker folk cause I’m not “black” enuff. From lighter folk cause they think i’m a thug.
yes he should and im glad he is!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He should defnitly partipate in this event.
Wow, because he’s already done so much to help the youth. I think NAGA Champion above me said it the best. As far as I’m concerned, he needs to stay home and think about what he’s done. You never see artists who DON’T get in trouble get invited to these things. i.e.: The Roots, Lupe Fiasco, Common, ect. Take from that what you will, I guess.. =/
I think he should…@ least he doing sumthin possitive by letting youth kno its good to vote..it don’t matter what he is doing in his personal life
I think he should…@ least he doing sumthin possitive by letting youth kno its good to vote..it don’t matter what he is doing in his personal life..becuz you can fall in a bad situation and come right out of it and that’s what t.I did…its always still good to have a good intention of wanting to do sumthing good..and I think he should hella participate Ya digg
Yes he could encourage young people to vote! In response to the comment directly below mine, he has more of an obligation and understanding of why it is very important for people to vote because of his situation. If we do not vote than we are not proactively fighting to bring about much needed positive change.
Peace,
I’m reading the responses subsequent to my reply and it just seems to me that we are sometimes a little too forgiving when folks commit crimes against our people. There’s no doubt that individuals should be forgiven when they commit wrong doing but if a felon says “I’m sorry” and continues a pattern of behavior that is a detriment to himself and his community, he’s not truly repentant. TI had a rap sheet prior to the last conviction. BAD MOVE, BROTHA! You’re a grown man with a lot of money and, therefore, a lot of resources and opportunities. USE THEM!
Further, I totally disagree with what ariesdiamond said about an individual’s personal life not being a matter of concern. Often times what you do in your personal/private life affects how you conduct yourself in the public sphere. What was dude doin running around with illegal firearms? We got enough gun violence now without homeboy brandishing a heater. It’s just asking for trouble to carry it around with you.
Again, dude can attend the Summit but there’s plenty of other artists that can get the voting message across. Let him SHOW & PROVE that he’s making a change in his life before he lectures the young folks about what to do with their’s. You gotta lead by example not just rhetoric.
Peace!
P.S. I think Common, Mos Def, or Erykah Badu are good choices to speak at the Summit. Perhaps Immortal Technique or Talib Kweli.
Your thoughts…
why not he might motivate someone to vote
UH..NO! Why are we so two-faced. If this were someone unknown who had a criminal background(such as TI), who rap about things that aren’t positive(such as TI) we would all say H*ll No. People shouldn’t get starstruck and allow some one to lecture in something like this if they are living a lifestyle that goes contrary to what hip hop summit is about. Yeh he went to church and is a christian now but really lets wait and see who his God is in his actions and lifestyle from this moment forth. Some one who has left those things behind and is now doing something positive is the person who should lecture. Not a celebrity that we like and even though he do bad things its ok. No its not okay.
TI is a good guy that’s facing those demonds
but i agre.e. he shouldn’t be in front of kids lOL that dude will be at church preaching one minute and making an album about beheading somebody the next
nobody perfect but dag. lol
Man, styles-p, your are on point. True indeed, if this were some ordinary cat engaging in this type of behavior, folks on here would be ready to throw him in the pen with quickness. As styles-p said, it’s one thing to renounce your past lifestyle, it’s another thing to prove it. It’s way too soon to determine whether the brother has put all this behind him. Attending a forum is one thing but earning a spot to speak at it is another.
And I really wish folks would stop with this weak argument about how TI might motivate someone to vote. I believe I listed some heads that could do the job just as effectively — without a rap sheet. Moreover, I’m sure there are brotha and sista who did time but have proven to reform themselves. When you gotta dude who can’t seem to stay away from trouble and you put him in a forum with the purpose of sending a positive message to young folks, it devalues the overall objective.
Let him grow up and see if he can conduct himself like an adult.
Peace!
damn t.i lok in mad f in sexy god damn
First of all judo people in tha hood make mistakes and if they didnt there wouldnt be any jails!! And to be honest with you yes talib and erika and immortal are all good artists but really who knows them artist like that yes they have a following but not like TI tha hood relates to TI and he will bring more young people out then all them artists you spoke of combined!! and if they come out and listen to the message to vote then he did his job!!!
thats wats wrong wit people 2day…always judging people..the court system already got him under control in wateva they plan on doing…errbdy mess up..so let this man do him..he should go to the summit and be proud of it
Mr Jdo/Grapping 2007 NAGA Champion is a very smart individual. Keep speaking the REAL
Judo/Grappling 2007 NAGA Champion is a smart individual. Please always speak the REAL, I which more people have the common sense you have shown in this debate. YOU ARE SO CORRECT !
yeah he might motivate buoyz to vots bue not for him halla at so_mavic@yahoo.com if u wanna diss
i think its a very good idea for him to show up and i agree wit fyremike on ehat he said
People are people and they’re going to take/judge what they want out of a person or a situation. So even if he does do teen summit there’s no gurantee he’s going to sway anyone. Most the the people that act like asses around here look like lil T.I’s. So it’s not so much as people looking up to him as for looking for an excuse to do stupid ish. Like ice cube said “rap music made me do it”.
How many rappers contribute to the community and yet you see how many of their fans contribute to the community? So in a way T.I. is forced to remain edged cause if he really does do anything else he’ll lose funds. And he’ll be labeled a sell out. Am I saying this is an excuse… nope, but it is what it is.
Peace to those who are supporting me here.
Now I keep hearin the same thing: “it’s good he’s showing up, AT LEAST he doin summin postive.” AT LEAST? Come on, folks, y’all know we can do a whole lot better than “AT LEAST.” The lowest common denominator is not what we should be striving for. And for the person who said we ought not to be judging, you need to come correct. The criminal justice system is indeed a racist institution but don’t sit there and have the nerve to say it has TI under control (lol).
Last time I checked, no one in the penal system forced this brotha to pack a heater in his whip. And furthermore, it ain’t about JUDGING people, it’s about calling folks out when they break the law, over and over again. I’m really not sure why folks are trying to explain away this dude’s rap sheet. My man has so many opportunities to live right, now that he has the resources. Dag, use your bread to take some anger management classes or something. Hell, train in some Judo (lol).
And if you don’t think “THE HOOD” has respect for artists like Common (last time I checked Chicago had hoods) or Mos, you must not follow Hip Hop. As I said, there’s million other artists who can speak and get the hood involved.
Men need to learn to be MEN. Take care of their children and each other. Respect their partners and do right by their elders. We need to stop making every excuse in the book for an adult engaging in bad behavior. If you feel the white man or his system is controlling, break the grip of shame.
Peace!
>youn cheezy Says:
>April 17th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
>yeah he might motivate buoyz to vots bue not for him halla at >so_mavic@yahoo.com if u wanna diss
Bro, if you really think what I’m saying is a diss, you have some frigile sensibilities, Jack.
What are you TI public relations manager? LOL!
Yoooo Chicago has crazy hoods lol.
But yeah there’s no need to roll around strapped for any reason. **** get a bodyguard. I don’t carry heat for specifically the reasons of “cops, the choice of using it, sets, accidental discharge etc.” I have homies that are dead or in jail cause they carried around heat. Simply put if you can’t allready think your way out of it your phucked. And yes i’ve been in the hood. I’m still alive.
And stop blaming the white man, it’s not allways the white man. At school the other day a brotha bumped into me trying to be hard and shiet… He flexed up when he did it too. It was comedy. But we need to stop makeing and excuses and see it for what it is.
wow
i think he should juss cuz hes a sexy rapper doesnt mean he doesnt have valuble oppinions!!
That’s part of what we’re saying. If it was another rapper like without the looks, yall would be like BOOOO he shouldn’t go. Hell you might not even know his opinions.
But let it be someone like “prodigy” let’s say he had the same record as T.I. You wouldn’t care, hell you wouldn’t even be posting right now.
What would someone like TI know about politics?
what cuz he black he doesnt know about politics!!! And TI does take care of his kids and did man up for the fact he did wrong!!! If this was antbody else other than TI it wouldnt be a big deal just another **** messing up again, and yeah mos def and others like him do have pull but none have it like TI and who said white people make you do anything!!! You are responsible for you i like the fact TI aint shying away from the public eye he in it front and center besides if this event is so big we will see how many times its mentioned on CNN!!!!
OMG Flymike how did you get a statement like “what cuz he black he doesnt know about politics!!!” from “What would someone like TI know about politics?”
OK TI in the front and center but look what he doing with the attention. I think mos def and others have a realer backing than TI. TI got the band wagoners/**** talkers/posers/girls etc. None to few of these people can say anything other than a lyric or that he has beef with so and so.
But being a mos def fan myself I can quote something he said while on the bill mauher show.
“I shouldn’t haft to live in two americas, I should be living in the same country as everyone else.”
Rick imma quote too homie jayz album tha gift and the curse. It is a gift to be black but also a curse see we minorities in this country are outnumber 4:1 how can you get a fair one when you outnumbered by that many!!! America is a great country but we as people keep seeing color instead of ambition and dreams!!! you want down a man for faults but keep quiet when he does something positive there is not 1 black artist out there that all people like not one but in the white community even if they dont like a person they keep it under wraps you dont hear white people say i dont **** with the rollings stones they old or good charollote cuz theya rock band all these people have they niche and they agree to get along blacks no matter what will always disagree not matter what!!! I hate that about my race fight over the small **** but always missing the big picture and they love that about us cuz if we did come together how strong would we truly be!! thats a real dream right there!!! peace and love tho to everyone!!!!!
by tha way didnt mos def get into trouble for being behind on child support? tisk tisk but do you fault him for that or is it bad things happen to good people??????
yeah jay z is dope when it comes to contributing and saying. Oh I know plenty of white people that will talk **** about rock bands etc. But yeah your right, we trip on little bs and not the big picture.
Like the other night I ran into a brotha that lives on my block at the 7/11. This dude came back to get a receipt (cause his wife made him go back) for a giant can of BEER. (I swear I am not makin this up) The BEER was 11.55, change was like 45cents. We all joke etc and end up leaving around the same time. Ok so blah blah chat some more and he crosses the street then he calls my name and (keep in mind I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP) asks me if he could have a $1.00 for gas. I gave it to him but i’m thinking hell you could’ve had $12 for gas if you needed gas that bad.
And to be honest on the child support thing. Do you know how many women don’t spend that ish on their kids, they use that stuff on themselves. I’m not saying it’s right but I think circumstances and details come into play.
The mos def child support thing was in 06 and for the amount of $10,000 a month for 2 of 5 kids he has. And it’s not like he didn’t pay the whole 10,000 he was short by 2,000. So in other words his gold diggin ex wasn’t happy with the $8000 she got monthly for 2 months and took his ass to court.
^If you didn’t know that part about the situation then yeah he would look like a bad role model
>If this was antbody else other than TI it wouldnt be a big deal just another >**** messing up again,
Um, isn’t this exactly the point another poster (styles-p) said? Dude is in the limelight where many kids be lookin up to him — obviously by the number of folks on here acting like this dude is the next Rakim of Hip Hop (lol). You honestly think there aren’t other artist that can move people like TI? You trippin, my dude. Kanye, Jay-Z, Nas, Wu, Common, KRS-1, ect. can do the job just fine. That’s why the summit is composed of a PANEL of artists, not just one.
Look, no one is saying the brotha doesn’t have talent or charisma, but he clearly has a tendency to break the law. You say the man has children, well hot damn, act like it, brotha.
One other thing, you are absolutely right when you say Hip Hop artists are held under greater scrutiny than white artists. Again, this has it’s roots in the fact that historically this racist nation has linked criminality with blackness. All the more reason for TI to keep his nose clean, so that stereotypes aren’t validated by ignorant racists. There is no need for brothas and sistas to perpetuate their own oppression.
Blessings!
I think he should be able to attend but some people on her got to much time on their hand example: quoting raps
But back to the topic yes he should attend he can make kids want to be something out of life lord knows I hope they don’t want to be like some people on here example: quoting raps.
Lol
Ok people this is a real discussion show some respect on the topic and not try to take panzy shots at other people. Save the beef for other threads.
Don’t forget by doing this and being infavor of T.I. your really not makeing his standing point look any better.
Ok can we stay on topic cuz this isn’t about you like for instance quoting raps…but like I said T.I. should attend the hip-hop summit sorry Rick Lexington your overlooked.
He shouldn’t go because he is a bad example to children and I don’t want him talking to my children before they end up like rick lexington and laughing out loud on here arguing over nonsense this is why children are growing up not having matters using computers in a non constructive way using those computers to make a diffierence in the world not destroy it young men
Yes he should be there. he is not a bad person at all ,every one makes mistakes in life, he is just being human . you feel me!!!!!!
Laughing out loud: I never mentioned your name in this… Again you lose at the own thing you started. If your going to discuss the topic then discuss the topic… Without slandering the people on here. Other than what someone else said on here you have no real reason on why he should go OH AND I WASN’T TALKING TO YOU in the first place.
As for the quoting raps, I wasn’t quoting raps… I was quoting what mos def said on the bill mauer show.
Proud parent: Did you not see the previous points I brought up on this thread? Look I know when to be serious and when not to be. So leave my name out of your mouth.
Oh and please read what you typed out loud and realize there should be some caps and periods in that run on and on sentence you put.
But in a way you do have a point and this point was all ready discussed. And rappers like T.I. etc provide examples of this in allways providing beef with each other and act hood and ignorant to be cool. Honestly we do each other as much harm if not more than others. There are rappers that provide a better message like ludacris. If you want to chalk that up to pre programing, letting the tv raise your kids etc.
All I know was when it was time to wear all black at school to show for genus six I was the only person who showed up wearing all black for school. When hurricane katrina hit, I contributed and helped out. And I give blood. Oh I was also in the military. So I think you should be happy if a kid grows up like me. Before you make such a statement I think you ought to know the person your talking about.
ag: Your right he’s not a bad person, we’re all initially good. But it’s his actions that overshadow him. I agree he should be there but like judo champion was saying he shouldn’t be aloud to do much till he earns his spot by acting better and not living up to the stereotypes that we have weighing us down.
Its Jena Six not genus six you illiterite muthafuqka and what makes you think my opinion doesn’t count who the hell are you an advisor who tells a person they can’t comment on certain blogs. Bytch plz go come up with some more rhymes in your fat stinking a** grandmother’s basement before you come with that nonsense.
And Proud Parent is just upset she mad huh…lol
I know what it is genius. I love how you correct me on one word but the rest of your post is a butchering of the english language. hahaha hypocracy at it’s finest.
I didn’t say who can’t post on here. I said if your going to speak on this thread letit be on the political subject. Cause this is an actual topic, not the usual bs where you follow me around nippin at my nuts and I smack you silly. And you know damn well you came in here to start some ish, because I beat you at your own little game (as usual).
But no you want to be that childish and follow me around to allways start haveing a kiddie fit lol. Oh that’s nice have jokes on a dead woman that’s real adult of you. And i’m not like I don’t stay with my parents and haft to put my frustrations on the web. lol
As for Proud parent I see where he/she is coming from, but she needs to examine the whole thing instead of jumping conclusions.
PS: You need to work on spelling, grammar and comprehension.
Come on yall arguing over nothing. I think he should be allowed to go. As soon as someone famous and black does something we condemn them. We are not perfect its what we do after we realize our mistake that matters. I know people that had rap sheets and went on to be greater people. Just because you dont have a rap sheet doesnt make you better than him some of you probaly just didnt get caught. Obama lied about hearing his preacher sermon should he quit running, Jessie jackson committed adultery yet he is still preaching, jay-z was arrested for stabbing someone and P-diddy also has been in trouble. Now would you tell any of this people they couldnt come?