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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2009 > January > 12 > Entry
T.I.’s MTV Reality Show Debuts Feb. 10
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As previously reported here, MTV cameras have been following Atlanta rapper/actor T.I. since he pled guilty last March to federal weapons charges.
“I’m not looking forward to being incarcerated, ” he told the AJC shortly after the plea. “I have a long road of redemption to travel. … I realize completely I violated the law, and I take it very seriously.”
Now fans will get a glimpse of just how seriously.
“T.I.”s Road To Redemption: 45 Days To Go”, bows Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. on the cable channel. Described as part “Diary,” part “Scared Straight,” the show will follow his attempts to change the lives of troubled teens, as well as offer a behind-the-scenes look at the two-time Grammy winner’s personal life, including the birth of his sixth child.
The title will change each week to reflect the time left until his sentencing, scheduled for March 27. After which, the last episode is set to air.
“MTV has always given artists a platform to get their stories and music out to their fans and this series reveals the unknown side of T.I.— one of the world’s greatest artists at the most precarious time in his life,” said Tony DiSanto, Executive Vice President, Series Development and Programming. “In the face of impending incarceration, T.I. is driven to ensure others do not make the same mistakes, and our cameras document every step along this road as he impacts and changes lives for the better. It is real-time redemption.”
“We visited T.I. early in 2008 while he was under house arrest in Georgia and found a man utterly unlike his rap persona,” said Ish Entertainment principals Stella Stolper and Michael Hirschorn. “He felt that he was undergoing a karmic reckoning, a time when he would have to balance the scales of his life and integrate who he was with who he is. We’ve never seen someone so introspective, so smart about how who he was back in the slums of Atlanta is affecting who he is now.”
Is this something you’d watch? Have you heard T.I. speak to a school or community group - part of the 1,000-plus hours of community service he must perform as part of his deal, and documented in this reality show? (If not, see a YouTube clip BELOW of him talking about the importance of education to fifth graders). And if so, was he convincing?
Comments
By Monique Johnson
January 12, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this
This is adorable…and I support TIP 100% (women we cry when we see TI too, so I understand), I really don’t think at this point he should go and I always predicted that he wouldn’t go to jail. Nevertheless, God’s peace and blessings to you brotha’, I was there supporting you when you did the speech at the dome for Newbirth Missionary Baptist Church on Easter and have never doubted that you have always been a king. I am a fan so I will continue to hold you down and give you positive energy and you know Hip-Hop gotcha’—- so keep doing what ya’ do!!!
By Live4Gossip
January 12, 2009 11:31 PM | Link to this
Love T.I. and Tiny…can’t wait to see the documentary. Hope it shows a glimpse into Atlanta’s “hip-hop royal couple”. In fact, you guys should do a story on Atlanta “urban power couples”.
By Constructive Feedback
January 13, 2009 4:59 AM | Link to this
T.I. is a wealthy Thug who has made his money by glorifying the very lifestyle that got him locked up for an illegal weapons charge. If he would have successfully acquired this automatic machine gun there is a 99.9% chance that another young Black male who’s life echoes his own would have been on the receiving end of the bullets from this gun. One of the first steps that we as a Black community need to take to reduce the gun violence is to repudiate this lifestyle and the people within it. T.I. does his “apology tour” this time but will likely have his next round of troubles in a few years. The best role model for our young people is to first find a role model that is ALREADY doing what they want to be doing not someone who bumps his head so much and then sings the praises for doing the right thing only when he gets caught.
By Dudes
January 13, 2009 6:44 AM | Link to this
How is able to do anything? I thought he was arrested on gun charges.
He should be in Prison.
Glad I moved out of Atlanta.
By Fly On The Wall
January 13, 2009 8:21 AM | Link to this
How low must a particular culture fall before it begins to look up to and glorify convicted felons? Well?
By Jaye
January 13, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this
Tiny’s got to be the biggest fool in the “A”. I wonder if he will finally marry her before he goes to prison so that she’ll be waiting for him when he gets out?
She is setting some type of example for her teenaged daughter to emulate, laying up having all of these illegitmate kids. Some people think its ok because they have money and because T.I. is the father of two of her kids, but money does not buy morals and class.
By Ricky Little
January 13, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this
The AJC sucks!
By Kimy
January 13, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
God can change things and he did. I am happy for him and his family.
By Chris
January 13, 2009 9:54 AM | Link to this
Well by some of the comments that have been made I would have believed I clicked on the TD Jakes holiness page. Well for most people that are role models they have made MANY mistakes. I think its very important for our youth to see someone such as T.I overcome these mistakes and obstacles. We want to see how he is going to pull himself out of this hole. Most people on this page sound like some of the same people who convicted Mike Vick. All these guys are adjusting to fame and money. Remember white people had a 50 year head start. But we catching up OBAMA!!!
By L.I. TO ATL
January 13, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this
T.I. DO YOUR THANG IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT YOU DID WHAT MATTERS IS YOU OWNING UP TO YOUR RESPONSIBILTY. KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE DOING WORSE THINGS THAN WE CAN BELIEVE BUT THEY DONT GET JUDGE FOR IT SO WHAT YOU MADE A MISTAKE AND YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF IT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS IN THE WORLD TO WORRIED ABOUT.(AS LONG AS THE PAPER STILL ROLL IN THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS…)
By Okay, Okay
January 13, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
T.I. has obviously worked on his message because he WAS convincing and he covered most if not all of the bases - if I were to critique him I would suggest that he remove his cap when indoors and have his ‘handlers/entourage/hangers-on’ wait somewhere else so he doesn’t have to share the spotlight or stage with them - they are a distraction at a time when T.I. definitely needs a captive audience
By Joshua
January 14, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this
You know, I have always found it interesting the things that are said about artists and how polarizing it can be when you look at what is said about a black artist and what is said about a white artist. You know I doubt we would see some of these posts if this were Marilyn Manson and it was about his life.
I don’t even listen to rap, and I know who he is and how he is trying to redeem himself. I think that is respectful. I have seen it done before and it has worked for some(Ice Cube would be my first example). He can be different if this is something that he wants to do. And still make all the money that he wants to make in the process. He just has to figure out how to transition properly.
Do I believe him. I am skeptical but hopeful. Do I want him to succeed. Yes, if it means that his influence will inspire those who follow his career to change too. Do I respect him. I respect any man who is man enough to say that he was wrong, and not only say it but try to turn from it. Only time will tell if all of this is truly genuine.
By Joshua
January 14, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this
You know, I have always found it interesting the things that are said about artists and how polarizing it can be when you look at what is said about a black artist and what is said about a white artist. You know I doubt we would see some of these posts if this were Marilyn Manson and it was about his life.
I don’t even listen to rap, and I know who he is and how he is trying to redeem himself. I think that is respectful. I have seen it done before and it has worked for some(Ice Cube would be my first example). He can be different if this is something that he wants to do. And still make all the money that he wants to make in the process. He just has to figure out how to transition properly.
Do I believe him. I am skeptical but hopeful. Do I want him to succeed. Yes, if it means that his influence will inspire those who follow his career to change too. Do I respect him. I respect any man who is man enough to say that he was wrong, and not only say it but try to turn from it. Only time will tell if all of this is truly genuine.
By donelle
February 14, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this
TI IM MAD THAT U GOIN 2 JAIL BUT WHEN U GET OUT OF JAIL AND HOW MANY GUNS WAS IT AND NO NI IT WAS PROBABLY ALOT AND I NO U JUST AUNT BUY IT FOR NUTHIN BUT U GOT 2 DO WHAT U GOT 2 DO ITS HARD OUT HERE PEOPLE HATE ALOT 4 NO REASON HATE JUST 2 HATE AND YEA I WANT U TO COME TO D.C. AND HAVE A CONCERT 4 THA KIDZ CUZZ WHEN THEY B ON THA RADIO THEY B LIKE TI GOIN B HERE AT DC AT THA CLUBS LIKE THE LUV-LEPEARL-LEGEND BUT YEA IM IN DC MI CELL NUMBA IZ 202-270-5886 AND I LIVE IN DC