Exclusive: T.I. vs. America Podcast Series launches with trial coverage LIVE from Atlanta 
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(BlackPressMagazine.com) - October 13, 2007 was supposed to be one of Clifford "T.I." Harris' biggest nights. With nine nominations at the 2nd Annual BET Hip Hop Awards - more than anyone else - T.I. was expected to have "big things popping."
Instead, T.I. was arrested just hours before the event was to begin on felony gun possesion charges. His arrest came in a downtown Atlanta, GA parking lot just two blocks away from where the BET Awards was sheduled to be taped. Despite his arrest, the show went on. But, according to labelmate and friend, Alfamega, T.I.'s arrest put a damper on the event and everyone who attended.
"We definitately felt his loss," said Alfamega in an exclusive interview with DC Livers. "We missed him."
Although T.I., Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne did not walk the Red Carpet at the BET Hip Hop Awards, the much anticipated show that aired October 17 on the BET network, has been discussed from Africa to Alabama. This is the second year the event was marred by controversy. Last year the event, Black journalists accused BET of racism after they said they were not allowed to be inside for the performances, although BET allowed White media outlets in. A few of the disgruntled journalists taped a podcast with BlackPressRadio.com. To hear it visit http://www.blackpressradio.com and enter keyword: BET Under Fire.
BlackPressRadio.com’s special correspondents Dennis Byron arrived in the courtroom before CNN and even T.I.’s family. Using technology, Byron and DC Livers scooped the national press on posting factual information about T.I.’s trial. The duo even talked with his long-term girlfriend, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle as she walked to her car, “I hope that the fans will continue to show their support of him,” she said.
Just a few hours after the trial, Livers scored an exclusive interview with Grand Hustle Records’ official deejay, DJ Drama in which he said, “As a camp, we'll stand strong and pray for him and hope for the best outcome,” DJ Drama said. “I've known TIP for seven years and he's a great man. He does a lot for the community and is always there for the people. I'm very proud of him for that. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so regardless of the outcome, we know that his future will be very bright. Oh, and his album comes out December 4, please make sure people know that,” said DJ Drama.
Charges pending
In an affadavit accompanying Harris' criminal complaint, Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives special agent Jason Strickland said one of Harris' bodyguards cooperated with them to ensure his arrest. The bodyguard - who is now a federal witness and his name has not been released - told agents that he illegally purchased nine guns for his boss in July. The practice is called "straw purchases" because T.I. is a convicted felon stemmng from his June 1998 arrest for crack cocaine sales and cannot legally own guns. The bodyguard says that on four separate occasions, T.I. gave him cash to buy the guns, which were given to T.I. in his bedroom where he keeps a walk-in safe filled with his alleged arsenal. The safe has a fingerprint--reading scanner as a lock, according to the affadavit.
The bodyguard wore a wire on October 13 and allgedly recorded T.I. on tape acknowledging the transaction of three machine guns and two silencers. T.I. was said to say, "no flash, no bang" before asking for the "change leftover" from the $12,000 he had given the bodyguard for the gun purchases. Federal authorities displayed the guns - including an AK-47 and a 9 mm handgun - they took from T.I.'s home at a press conference held on October 15 just an hour after T.I.'s trial.
"Machine guns and silencers pose serious dangers to our community," said U.S. Attorney David Nahmias. "The last place the machine guns and silencers should be are in the hands of a convicted felon," he said.
BET has decided it didn't want to comment on the charges and instead attempted to focus on the awards show, but according to Alfamega, it was easier said than done.
"Everyone - even the BET staff - had a hard time," he said during the podcast interview.
BET hired Melanie Mitchell to head up the Atlanta public relations activities. Mitchell spoke to Black Press Magazine's DC Livers on October 14 about his absence.
" T.I. did attend the dress rehearsal but that was it," she said.
The show must go on
The BET Hip Hop Awards was designed to pay tribute to hip hop legends so there was no surprise that Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five’s MELLE MEL was in the house. While walking the Red Carpet at the 2nd Annual BET Hip Hop Awards, Melle Mel showed that he’s still as strong as ever.
“He’s truly a icon, a legend and having him there was a must,” said Dennis Byron who took the photos. “What Melle Mel and the guys from the Furious Five accomplished was no small feat. They truly deserved the honor and the love that the received,” said Byron.
Rap legend KRS-One received big love at the 2nd Annual BET Hip Hop Awards after receiving the “I Am Hip Hop” Icon Award presented by Dr. Cornell West. It was an honor that was long overdue. He is said to be working on a revised version of his longtime hit, “
Proving that hip hop has influenced more than just young minds, legendary Black philosopher and scholar, Dr. Cornell West attended the 2nd Annual BET Hip Hop Awards that was held in the city’s Civic Center on Piedmont Avenue in downtown Atlanta.
Rapper Lil’ Wayne wowed the crowd with an important performance that viewers will likely feel is one of the best. Kanye West scored big with his sizzling hot performance which was considered to be hands down the best. He also walked away with two awards which he tried to give away but Outkast’s Big Boi rejected the offer saying, “No, you earned it.”
Held without bond
T.I.'s second hearing ended without bail, although several record label executives attempted to get the rap star out by agreeing to sign personal signature bonds for up to $2.2. million. T.I.'s house was also offered as collatoral but Judge Alan Baverman said he is "concerned by his dichotomy" since T.I. has done a lot for the community but risked it all to buy guns hours before "the biggest night of his life." A third hearing is set for October 26, 2007 to determine if house arrest monitors will be sufficient to allow him to be set free on bond pending the formal trial.
As part of the exclusive T.I. vs. America Podcast Series with DC Livers and Dennis Byron, Reverend Kenneth Glasgow (Al Sharpton's brother), Michael Mauldin (Jermaine Dupri's dad), Clay Evans, VP of Grand Hustle Record and others were interviewed for the podcast series. To hear the interviews go to or to to see the full photo album from the 2nd Annual BET Awards, read the latest blogs and find our where BlackPressRadio.com will be next,visit http://www.myspace.com/blackpressradio. To hear other interviews with T.I. visit http://www.blackpressradio.com and enter his name in the keyword quicksearch.
See our photo gallery of the BET Hip Hop Awards: myspace.com/blackpressradio.
