T.I.

Well, T.I. has chosen to release a video statement via StreetCred.com. Clad in a bathrobe & loungin in his spacious crib, Clifford thanks his fans, the judge for granting him release (“instead of, you know, the clear alternative”) & saying that “I’m just listening to what God got to say right now.” Also, he makes mention of his next album that he’s working on, currently titled Paper Trail. According to T.I.P., his main message – “It’s not over and the King ain’t dead!” (EW.com).

Overall, it comes across as a very scripted & guarded choice of words no matter how laidback & cool attempts may be made to make it seem otherwise. A man facing such burdensome, possibly life-changing charges finds it hard to convincingly feign nonchalance.

Project Pat is someone I’ve found who offers some valuable insight in regards to T.I.’s situation. Holding coveted street cred, Mr. Don’t Play faced very similar charges & ended up doing four years fed time. In a recent interview, he had this to say regarding Clifford’s circumstances…

Memphis got a lot of crime…And this real talk, the drug dealers and killers could be riding down the street and they could be signing autographs. They got the fan-base in my city. To a dude that’s coming from that, old habits are hard to break. You just gotta be smart, man. The robber got the gun to your back and the police got they gun to your face. It’s like being between a rock and a hard place. It’s real out here but I mean in his situation, it could have easily happened to me. And a lot of people don’t understand, they say, “He could’ve did this and did that,” but believe you and me; I was in the same situation. I had bodyguards and all that but at the same time, my mind was “Can’t nobody protect me like me.” So I feel the brother, you know what I’m saying. I hate that it happened like it did. (AHH.com)

True.

I’ve said it before and I say it again – T.I.P. undoubtedly made less than wise choices. However, I know I’m also one who subscribes to the old adage of being judged by twelve rather than carried by six. Therefore, I’ll refrain from playing Monday morning quarterback & let the T.I., his legal team and the courts have their say.