T.I. bows out with words of redemption

Embedded video from CNN Video

The Grammy winner, and one of the highest paying hip-hop artists in the industry, T.I. is said to have been arrested 32 times, and on May 19th he is finally going to spend time behind bars for an attempt to purchase illegal firearms. But before he does, he is making sure to let the world know he’s changed, with a number of public declarations in press conferences and interviews following his trial this past week.

In the press conference after his trial, he gave insight into his experience of helping at-risk youth, “I never looked at myself as a leader of a generation, I just looked at myself as a celebrity—an entertainer. But this experience has taught me that I have the ability to influence and impact millions of people: young people, old people and people my age as well.”

In an interview with CNN reporter T.J. Holmes, T.I. was asked if he thinks young people should look up to him after this incident. “If anything, admire me for how I’ve accepted responsibility for the part I played in placing myself in this situation and what I’ve done to recover from it.”

Do you think that T.I. will remain the “King of the South”? Do you think he will loose some young fans to this incident? Or will he gain support through his honest attempt to redefine himself and his life? Comment below!

By CGG reporter, Caroline Kotter