Rapper TI comeback possibly derailed
2010-09-03 18:01
West Hollywood - After finishing a sentence for weapons charges earlier this year, TI was poised to have the comeback.
The multiplatinum rapper starred in the nation's No 1 movie, recently married his long-time girlfriend, taped a music special for VH1 and was wrapping up a new album. But after an arrest on Wednesday in California, there are questions about whether he's returning to the music charts - or prison.
The Grammy-winning hitmaker, who is on three years of probation, was taken into custody with wife Tameka "Tiny" Cottle on suspicion of possessing methamphetamines after police pulled over their Maybach in West Hollywood. They were released on $10 000 bail early on Thursday.
While charges have yet to be filed, the case has the potential to put one of music's top names in behind bars yet again.
"We're not making any observations at this time," said Ed Garland, a defence attorney for TI. "This is an unfortunate occurrence, and we do not know what the outcome will be."
His music label, Atlantic Records, also said it "would be premature to speculate about the current situation given that there is an ongoing investigation of this matter".
Semiautomatic weapons
Known as the "King of the South," TI is a top name in hip-hop, and pop. Born as Clifford Harris, he sold millions of albums since his debut and racked up hits like Whatever You Like and U Don't Know Me. He also had top collaborations with artists including Rihanna, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake.
But his celebrated career was put in jeopardy in 2007 when he was caught trying to buy semiautomatic weapons on the way to a BET awards show. The Atlanta rapper, who has served time for drug and other offences, pleaded guilty to weapons charges and served seven months in an Arkansas prison and three months in a halfway house in Georgia.
He was ordered not to commit another federal, state or local crime while on supervised release, or to illegally possess a controlled substance. He was also told to take at least three drug tests after his release and to participate in a drug and alcohol treatment programme.
TI didn't appear to need government intervention to stay out of trouble. The rapper talked of a new, positive start: He spoke to kids about the dangers of drugs and guns, and former United Nations ambassador Andrew Young was one of his supporters. As he prepared for his most recent sentence, the rapper starred in the MTV reality show, "TI's Road to Redemption: 45 Days to Go."
"Right now, it's all about moving forward and just acknowledging the blessing that are here today. ... Just moving past the regrets of yesterday - the things that could've been done better," TI told The Associated Press in July.
- AP