Hundreds of people rallied in front of CNN center in Atlanta on Saturday to protest the violent reaction of the Iranian government toward demonstrators in Iran. At the same time, hip-hop fans were gathering for the Hot 107.9 (WHTA-FM) Birthday Bash, a concert at Phillips Arena, which is next to CNN center. At moments the two groups crossed paths.
(Photo by Joeff Davis)
Haberdasher Sid Mashburn is representin’. So is rapper T.I. What do these guys have in common besides hailing from the ATL?
They were both named to GQ’s list of the “10 most stylish men in America,” sharing the honor with such dashing fashion plates as Kanye West and hotelier André Balazs.
Now, I wasn’t aware T.I. is admired for his fashion sense, but I have to concur with the magazine’s assessment of Mashburn. Here’s GQ’s take:
Sid Mashburn is a throwback to a time when looking sharp was about a lot more than labels. His philosophy — the one reflected in his Atlanta store — is that good style is about knowing how to tie a tie, dress right for an occasion, and be comfortable in your own skin.
I can’t afford to do much damage at Sid’s high-end store, which is located above JCT Kitchen in the Westside Urban Market shopping center. But I have been known to drop in and get fashion ideas. The style favored by Mashburn and his staff is classic, bordering on preppy, with special attention paid to such details as watch pockets on slacks and real horn buttons. It’s a well-tailored, understated look with an emphasis on timelessness, not trendiness. Think of it as the antidote to Tommy Bahama.
Oh, another reason to stop by is that the background music is courtesy of the store’s vinyl collection, which includes Miles Davis, reggae and ’70s rock.
If he’s going to win the run-off, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Jim Martin needs to convince Obama enthusiasts who voted for him on November 4 to return to the polls again today.
To reach out to those Obama supporters, many of whom are young and black, Martin held a pep rally yesterday featuring a handful of big-name hip-hop stars.
Among them was rapper T.I.
T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, Jr., is a very popular entertainer.
He’s also a serial felon.
In March, he pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges. He will begin a prison sentence next year.
At the moment, he’s performing 1,000 hours of court-ordered “community service” — which thus far appears to consist of promoting nasty tequila-and-champagne hangovers, and giving speeches in front of high school students and AJC photographers.
By courting the endorsement of a not-especially repentant felon, Martin is signaling profound indifference to the law — a rather puzzling signal to be sending when you’re vying for a seat in the country’s highest lawmaking body.
Even worse is the insulting message Harris’ appearance with Martin sends to Obama supporters.
“Hey, black people! T.I. likes me! You should, too!”
Puke.
T.I. AT JIM MARTIN RALLY: "Patrón on ice, comprehensive health care reform, you can have whatever you like." (Photo by Joeff Davis)
See more photos of last night’s Jim Martin rally with T.I. here
VOTERS IN DIFF'RENT AREA CODES Democratic nominee Jim Martin, supported by T.I., Young Jeezy and Ludacris (not pictured), on Monday night at the Gold Dome.
Let it be stated: You will never again see Jim Martin walk out to bodyshaking bass and shake hands with three hip-hop stars. Absurd moments like these only happen on the eve of a runoff where a Democrat-controlled Senate is at stake.
On Monday night in front of the Capitol, standing at a podium underneath a statue of one of Georgia’s most perplexing racists, the U.S. Senate Democratic nominee addressed a bundled-up crowd of nearly 1,000 people that braved the cold to see Ludacris, T.I. and Young Jeezy. (Martin admitted as much.)
But Democrats hope those supporters will return to the polls on Tuesday to vote for the Party’s candidates — and tell their friends and families to do the same.
Flanked on stage by more than 30 city, state and federal Democratic notables, Martin repeated the phrase he’s used to describe his role if voters send him to Washington — to be a “bridge” to Pres.-elect Barack Obama’s initiatives, not a “firewall,” as Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss has branded himself.
“You did the right thing,” Congressman John Lewis told the crowd. “You did it. And we must do it again… I’ve served in Congress for a little while. Saxby is not our friend. I tell you, he’s not our friend. If you really want to help Barack Obama, let’s do it.”
The students of Atlanta’s Ron Clark Academy keep true democracy in mind with their remix of T.I.’s “Whatever You Like.” It gets a little hard to figure out the “arguments” toward the end, but I’d want to be in this class. CNN captured the video.
Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane (a.k.a. Radric Davis) was arrested at a Henry County roadblock Wednesday and charged with DUI, as well as possession of a firearm and marijuana.
Last month, Gucci’s once-nemesis, rap superstar Young Jeezy (a.k.a Jay Jenkins), also was arrested after a traffic stop. Then there was last year’s T.I. debacle — for which he got off with something of a wrist-slap.
All of this begs the question: Is metro Atlanta becoming a hip-hop police state? Or are these incidents inevitable?
WITHDRAWAL METHOD: Third of three candidates for president of Georgia State withdraws his name from consideration, leaving no active candidates.
STORK LIFT: South Georgia’s endangered wood stork is making a comeback, having doubled the number of nests found last year, according to the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division.
DOT: Settles sexual harassment charges against two former board members for nearly $150,000.
PACK LIGHT, PACK HEAT: State Rep. Tim Bearden thinks better of bringing a gun to pick up his family, but Georgia Carry continues his crusade, suing the city, Mayor Shirley Franklin and Hartsfield-Jackson GM Ben DeCosta for the right to bear arms at the airport. Also, giddy gun carriers congregated Tuesday at a Cobb County restaurant to mark the first day they could do so.
STUDY: Finds Georgia needs to raise college graduation rates.
T.I.: Andrew Young is working to mold the rapper into a different kind of King.
VOTER REGISTRATION: Continues to grow in Georgia. But don’t take my word for it — this AccessNorthGa news graphic answers all your questions.
Before he goes to prison next year, MTV is going to shadow Atlanta rapper T.I. as he performs the 1,000 hours of community service required by his agreement to plead guilty after he was arrested in Midtown for having unregistered machine guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
T.I. is scheduled to begin his prison term next spring.
According to this story in Variety, the original concept for the show was for T.I. to do a Messianic-style gig where he’d go around to people in trouble, intervene and save them. Instead the show will follow him as he speaks to kids about his own problems with the law.
“Hopefully the mistakes I’ve made will be a lesson to today’s youth and they won’t go down that same path,” T.I. told the magazine.
Not to be cynical, but the cameras will also follow him into the studio as he records his upcoming album and what better PR is there for a new CD than a reality show on MTV? No word on whether T.I. or MTV will donate the proceeds from the show to a charity that helps kids.
Bold move to help the world? Or bold move to make a buck off his conviction?
From the AJC:
Over the next year, Harris must perform at least 1,000 hours of community service, which includes speaking to “at-risk young people,” promoting respect for law enforcement, and opposing violence, illegal and reckless use of firearms, illegal drugs and gang activity.
After the plea, U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said Harris’ agreement to speak to young people about the mistakes he has made should prevent and deter some from committing crimes and ruining their own lives.
Yes, kids, don’t make the same mistake T.I. did.
When you pay one of your friends to buy guns for you illegally, pay a second person to retrieve the guns and hold on to them for a few days before they’re delivered to you.
TERMINAL ILLNESS: Delta cancels flights for safety inspections; hundreds sleep overnight at Hartsfield-Jackson terminals.
VOUCHERS: With Clayton County in mind, state House committee passes voucher bill that would use state funds to send kids in deaccredited school districts to other districts or private schools.
IF I ONLY HAD A CRANE: 2005 Buckhead crane sitter deemed competent to stand murder trial, which makes sense, since he was competent to stand on a crane 350 feet in the air for 56 hours.
RICHT IN MIDDLE EAST: Joins handful of other college football coaches in program to entertain soldiers abroad and coach them in flag football games.
GROWTH DISORDER: Metro Atlanta is No. 2 in the nation in population growth in the past year. Our drought is now only “extreme,” so there’s nothing to worry about.
T.I.: Expected to plead guilty today.
LA TIMES: Apologizes after being hoaxed by inmate on Diddy/Tupac story.
MASS TRANSIT: Advocates push legislators to include bus and rail provisions in transportation budget.
FROM HOSPITALITY TO HOSPITAL: Study finds the hospitality industry has the highest rate of alcohol abuse of all industries.
Once the word gets out, T.I.’s fans will surely flock to Easter service as if it’s the Second Coming.
A federal magistrate judge ruled today that multi-platinum rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris will be allowed to attend New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s Easter service this Sunday, despite his ongoing house arrest status.
Harris, who still faces weapons charges after being arrested on the day of the BET Awards in Atlanta last October, will be allowed to leave his residence from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to attend the service presided over by New Birth Bishop Eddie Long.
Continue reading this story in Crib Notes.
You’d think federal weapons charges that could land him in prison for 10 years might have taught rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris the value of humility.
Ha!
I realize cockiness is to hip-hop personas what sunlight is to photosynthesis, but the video Harris posted yesterday on the social networking site StreetCred.com was especially obnoxious.
The video begins with Harris, wearing a bathrobe and a baseball cap, strutting to a couch in a dimly lit living room. After sitting down, Harris asserts his innocence and thanks a long list of people, including his lawyers, recording industry colleagues, and even the judge who’s letting him stay at his house while he awaits trial.
He then takes house arrest fabulousness to a new level, referring to himself as “the King” and pulling out a cigar.
These are the actions of a man who watches Scarface repeatedly, never quite realizing it’s a campy work of fiction.
Rapper Clifford “T.I.†Harris faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on federal weapons charges. Before he was released on $3 million bond Oct. 26, U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman had some stern words for Harris, as well as comments on Atlanta’s real estate market.
“I don’t want to sound crass about it, but in addition to being in the music and entertainment business you’re essentially in the insurance business now. If any harm is [befallen upon] the informant, the court will be looking to you. Do you understand that?â€
— Baverman warning Harris not to attempt to hurt or intimidate witnesses for the prosecution
“Yes, your honor.â€
— Harris’ response to Baverman’s question
“The nature of the real estate market in Atlanta right now is such that legitimate appraisals are affected.â€
— Baverman explaining why he valued Harris’ College Park home at $1 million, less than what Harris and his lawyers contend is its appraised value. Harris is using his home as part of his bond.
