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For the first time since TI’s sentencing moment, TI’s fans can get some good news about the case. Padron Thomas, the man who’s responsible for helping the murder of TI’s friend and assistant, Philant Johnson, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison. Thomas appeared in court on Wednesday, June 24 and U.S. District Judge, Sandra Beckwith sentenced him to 17 years in prison on drug conspiracy and gun charges. Thomas had became a key player in both the conspiracy case and the gun battle case when he agreed last year to cooperate with authorities.
Last December, Thomas testified against his brother, Hosea Thomas, who shot and killed Philant “Big Phil” Johnson. Padron Thomas drove the car on May 3, 2006 when Hosea exchanged gunfire with Tip’s entourage, which was the result of a dispute with Hosea at a bar earlier that night. Hosea Thomas was sentenced to 66 years in prison for the murder.
So the news that spread around the internet this morning is that there’s some kind of virus attacking the inmates at the Forrest City, Arkansas prison, which caused limited visiting hours. Some thought it was the dreaded swine flu, but Traci Billingsley, an official from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, released a statement yesterday.
“A number of inmates recently became ill and have been treated at the prison. The symptoms appear to dissipate within 48 to 72 hours. Swine flu is not suspected because these all are all gastrointestinal-related.”
So it’s not swine flu, only a type of stomach flu. That’s a relief. Reports said the prison will resume normal visiting hours once the virus is contained. Hope it will be done quickly, and please, somebody from within the prison… please release TI a statement about TI’s condition. The fans are worried!
**UPDATE**
Sandrarose.com reports that TI is not among the sick inmates in the Arkansas prison. That’s double relief. Meanwhile, TI’s baby mama, Tiny, is busy prepping her show for BET titled “Tiny and Toya” that will premiere on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT. Follow the hip-hop wives: Tip’s fiancee, Tiny, and Lil Wayne’s ex, Toya, on their daily lives. It’s going to be a great show.
TI’s clothing line AKOO is really putting the puzzle pieces into place this coming summer as they launched more and more brand new AKOO Clothing collection. Fans won’t have to worry of TI deficiency, as both the news and the fashion world will not cease to produce interesting stories and swagger, although the King is absent. Check out the new t-shirt collection now available at Dr.Jays.
When TI promised that his fans won’t miss him much while he’s away, he wasn’t kidding. Here’s a sneak peek of TI’s music video “Remember Me”, featuring Mary J. Blige. This video is for Tip’s upcoming album, “Paper Trail: Case Closed” which will be released in August 2009. The video is directed by Jesse Terrero for Terrero Films
When you’re big, you’re not only big onstage. Wherever you are, people will talk about you. TI is in prison right now, but the buzz about him never stops. Here’s a soundclip of Dr. Boyce Watkins, a Distinguished Scholar at the Barbara Jordan Institute for Policy Research at the University of Texas Southern and authot of “What if George Bush were a Black Man?”. He talks about the broader meaning behind TI’s arrest. It’s an interesting discussion and we think you should be able to listen too. Does TI really have a lot in common with TuPac?
Well we don’t know about his risk of losing endorsement deals. All we know is TI’s AKOO Clothing line is alive and kicking. They even got some real fly new stuff. Check out this AKOO Play Well Short $79.
So we’ve mentioned that TI’s clothing line, AKOO, has got some new stuff coming in for the summer. We figured since it’s the weekend, let’s play a little mix and match to get your AKOO Summer flava going on. The first pair-up are the AKOO Baroque Tee ($35) and AKOO Sense of Pride Jean ($110). We say total flyness to go clubbing in.
And finally, to look fly without trying too hard, the AKOO Plain Sight Tee ($35) and the embroidered AKOO Box Call Jean ($100) are the right choice for day or night.
There’s a lot of new stuff in TI-land. Although the King is away for a bit, he’s clearly still reigning. In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a new mixtape from New Music Cartel and TI, appropriately titled “Southern Royalty”. The mixtape features TI’s verses on R&B tracks. You might have heard ‘em before, love ‘em or don’t even know they exist, but let us tell ya, this is a must have. Check out the track listing -and sexay TI- on the back cover.
We think it’s the best sounds to listen to while going laid back in the summer with other new additions from TI’s AKOO Clothing Line.
You might have seen this picture of TI when he performed at the Rocawear Retreat Party, and wonder: “Where in the world did he get that AKOO t-shirt?” Well good news for you because that very t-shirt is now available for purchase. Check out the name too: it’s AKOO Snobby Glory Tee in Yellow ($27.00)
There’s also something new in the AKOO polo shirt lineup and this one is really dope.
People do write to TI in jail and some of those people are the bosses of PETA or People for Ethical Treatments to Animals, the animal rights-concerned organization which has tapped a LOT of celebrities to participate in their campaign. Word is, PETA leader, Michelle Cho, has written to Tip to ask him to consider stripping down for their “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign after he finishes his 366 days sentence. PETA Executive Vice President, Tracy Reiman, confirmed the news saying, “We’re asking TI to use his fame and his experience to bare the truth about the fur industry by baring his skin.”
The letter states:
“We read that you looked to Martha Stewart for advice on how to pass your prison time and come out on top. Did you know that she agreed to narrate an anti-fur public service announcement for PETA because she experienced firsthand what it is like for the millions of minks, rabbits, and other animals who are confined to filthy sheds on fur farms?
But unlike inmates, who are freed when they finish their sentences, these animals are beaten, have their necks broken, are electrocuted, and are often skinned alive for their fur. We hope that you’ll follow Martha’s compassionate example and become involved with our anti-fur efforts.”
We don’t know whether TI will bare his skin for PETA’s anti-fur campaign, but we think he’ll do it. Our boy has been doing so much good prior to his incarceration that we think he’ll be craving for more philanthropic actions once he’s out from the clinker. We do know that his AKOO clothing line contains no fur, just a LOT of superfly stuff. Check these out.
Tameka “Tiny” Cottle finally visited her boo, TI in prison last weekend, 3 weeks after Tip’s incarceration. There were some rumors going around that the Tip can only receive mail from a pre-approved list of people and those who aren’t on the list won’t get their letters to TI. Turns out that Tiny brushed the rumors off and said that ANYONE can write to TI using the address we gave you a couple of days ago.
Anyway, TI talks to his kids all the time on the phone. He might not want them to visit -’coz he worries that the kids will get a bad image of their dad, but he sure misses them. We can’t blame him, it’s almost Father’s Day anyway. Speaking of Father’s Day, have you entered the AKOO Father’s Day Contest? We thought we’d remind you.
