With U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman requiring that he post $2 million in cash thanks to his recent legal woes, what looked to be a rather profitable season for T.I. has quickly turned sour. Those who know with any amount of certainty are not commenting on how long or even if T.I. will serve additional jail time, since he has not formally been indicted with any crime. The only fact is that T.I. himself has not had the opportunity to comment on the situation and forthcoming statements will probably be limited.
The “King of the South” made some rather telling statements regarding his run-in’s with the law in the forthcoming issue of Complex. While the issue doesn’t hit the newsstands until Nov. 6, HipHopDX has a sneak preview. Although the comments were made prior to his arrest, they may provide an insight for fans. This also marks the first time T.I. has directly addressed the incident with Ludacris’ manager Chaka Zulu.
T.I. on the difference between Frank Lucas‘ [of American Gangster] era and his own…
“I can’t even compare myself back in that day simply because it was a whole other day and age. When I was doin’ it, it was chaos. Real talk, it was easier then, too. Not taking nothing away from them ’cause they started it, but the police wasn’t hip to everything. By the time I started hustling, the police had cameras, the Internet, and forensics. [Back then] you could kill a nigga at six o’clock in the morning on his doorstep and long as nobody seen you, you good. Now you got cameras on street lights. I feel like if I was a hustler back then, I’d have a way better shot at it. People actually respected the game. Whereas when I was a hustler, a nigga would do anything for a dollar. Period.”
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T.I. on the altercation between himself and Chaka Zulu…
“I’ve seen him, but I didn’t speak to him. That situation was whatever. If you come out your face and say something, then you can expect me to go off. You should watch your mouth. I think my manager spoke to him. I got a great life and wonderful children, and I do intend to be here to guide them for the rest of their lives, and that’s what’s most important to me. Maybe when I was 18 or 19 runnin’ the streets and shootin’ pistols, but I’m not gonna blow that for one of these cats who don’t happen to live by the same principles as me.”
