T.I.'s open letter to President Barack Obama

Photo: Jennifer Brett, jbrett@ajc.com

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Photo: Jennifer Brett, jbrett@ajc.com

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Atlanta actor/rapper T.I. penned an open letter to President Barack Obama here in the twilight of his presidential tenure:

"You entered humbly into our worlds from the streets of the South Side of Chicago and galvanized a generation," reads the letter, which T.I. released to the New York Times. "You resonated from the barbershops to the airwaves to the streets of every hood across America. Many of US did not know your name, nor did we truly understand the impact you would have on the world in the years, months and days that followed.

As I reflect, I am filled with gratitude, outrage, grief, anger, humility and appreciation, both for the things you helped bring to light and the many things we still have yet to realize."

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T.I. is among the many fans famous and otherwise celebrating the double triumphs the FX show "Atlanta" enjoyed at Sunday's Golden Globe awards :

His letter to the president touched on his years growing up, when the nation's first black president was still years away:

"As I reflect back on my teenage years when I heard my favorite rapper and person, Tupac Shakur, tell me we weren't ready for a black president, leaving me in nodding in agreement until you brought US the audacity of hope and reminded US that yes we can.

As you transition out of office, we continue to watch you carry out your final agenda with precision, integrity and purpose. That is what we will remember as signature Obama."