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We all know that the rapper TI recently began his 366 day prison sentence in an Arkansas prison. Merged with the brilliance of TI is the darker side of his existence, the part that makes him willing to risk losing his family and freedom in the midst of all of the chaos in the hip hop industry.
In this conversation for "The Bottom Line with Dr. Boyce", we discuss the broader meaning behind TI's arrest, as well as how TI's experience reflects the state of rap music in America. There is also the question of whether or not "keeping it real" is good for business, and whether TI is actually remorseful for his personal choices.
We can broaden the discussion to other issues in hip hop as well: Is it right that Rick Ross has been penalized for not being a criminal? Does TI have a lot in common with Tupac (beyond the fact that they are both talented artists)? If so, how can he be sure to avoid Tupac's fate? We explore all this and more.
Click to listen!
Dr Boyce Watkins is a Distinguished Scholar at the Barbara Jordan Institute for Policy Research at The University of Texas Southern and author of "What if George Bush were a Black Man?" For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com. To have Dr Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email inbox, please click here.
Comments: (5)
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/14/2009 10:19PM
I really liked the conversation Dr. Boyce Watkins had with Vigalantee. I like Vigalantee, his lyrics are positive and there is no cussin or disrespect. He is a type of person that will help his community and give back. Being in the rap and hip hop game should be about sending positive messages and having respect for other people. Some of today's rap is about $$$$, violence, ect.. I don't think it's helping our young youths today? There aren't too many good hip hop and rap artist's today that are good role models?
Artist's should want to change for the better and be more involved in helping and giving back to the community. Music shouldn't be just about the $$$$ and SELF but,LOVE, having respect for others, and giving back. Hip Hop and Rap artist's should show a positive image and leave that street negativism behind. T.I. can avoid Tupac's fate. He has so much time in jail to think about the bad decisions and wrong choices that he has made. He should want to come out a changed man. T.I. should be spending time with God by talking and listing to him. God has all the answers. All T.I. has to do is to, ask God what direction he should go to better himself and go from there.
T.I. owes this to his family, fans, friends, and media. Let this be a lesson and let him come back strong and focused when gets out in a positive way. He is talented rapper/producer/actor and I believe he will go far if he stays focused. All hip hop and rap artist's should want to stay focused, be positive, and stay on the right path to have success too. Artist's today are getting killed over silly ISH. Look at the rapper Dollar just 21 years old got shot at a mall over dumb ISH. The key is to STAY FOCUSED!
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By: "DimePiece" on 6/14/2009 10:23PM
I meant to say the rapper "Dolla" in my comment.
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By: monique on 6/14/2009 10:51PM
Excellent discussion. The whole world needs to hear these guys explain TI and break it all down. Our young black men need to be more intelligent about their choices so they don't end up in this kind of situation.
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By: RoyBaker on 6/16/2009 3:08PM
Rick ross was not punished for not being a criminal,
He faked being a gangster and got caught!
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By: DAVID on 6/19/2009 4:54AM
THEY ARE BOTH CRIMINALS
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