TI’s Akoo Clothing Line

T.I. has only been free for about a week now and his schedule is fuller than ever.  Last week he hosted his homecoming brunch which will be held annually: The Annual AKOO Clothing Brunch in Atlanta.  In the ultra-exclusive event, Tip welcomed close friends and family and even mentioned his next fashion project: AQOO: A Queen Of Oneself, a sister line of his AKOO Clothing line.

After the brunch, Tip made his way onto the BET stage, and performed with Young Jeezy as surprise guest stars in the event.  And we can tell he misses the spotlight as TI also made a surprise appearance at the Taylor Swift concert in Atlanta.

Do you miss the King?  Here he is talking to Hot 107.9, accompanied by his son.

T.I. from IAmGwoods on Vimeo.

So last Wednesday we  jumped in joy because our man T.I. walked out of prison as he tweeted “The storm is over & da sun back out.” But we were so disappointed when we found out that the early release was abruptly cancelled.

Tip’s early release from an 11-month incarceration only lasted a day after he was taken back into custody Thursday after prison officials questioned his mode of transport from an Arkansas prison to an Atlanta halfway house.

Tip was originally expected to complete the last weeks of his sentence in a community center or halfway house in his hometown, Atlanta. CNN reported that Federal prison officials apparently objected T.I.’s use of a tour bus to travel from Arkansas to Georgia. It’s said that T.I. had agreed to provide his own transportation between the two locations but officials are reviewing if riding in the tour bus, escorted by several rivate SUVs violated his furlough agreement.

Steve Sadow, Tip’s lawyer told CNN:

“We are confident there was never any intent or reason to mislead or misstate the method of transportation. T.I. got on the bus in full view of BOP employees. If there was some confusion or misunderstanding surrounding the method of transportation, we hope to clear it up quickly so T.I. can return to the halfway house.”

T.I. didn’t take a tour bus for no reason. He was recording a new reality TV show to be aired by VH-1, which was announced just hours after his release. The series told a story about T.I.’s re-adjustments as a free man after being in prison for almost one year in Arkansas.

VH-1 stated:

“Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the most private and personal moments of one of today’s hottest, most sought after Grammy winning artists as he is reunited with his wife and kids and thrust back into society at this crucial juncture in his life.”

T.I. will not be out of prison until end of September.  Do you think Tip’s delay to freedom was really his fault?

Approaching his release on September, T.I. sent another message from prison to his fans.  Yes, Tip, we miss you too.

What up world? I appreciate the continued love and support that everyone has been giving me.

This chapter in my story will soon be coming to an end and I will be back in the flesh with you sooner than later.

In the meantime I want to give a special shout out to a few particular individuals that have been sending me letters, cards, comments, tweets and just overall holding me down.

A little loyalty goes a long way with me…I don’t do fake shit shawty.

So I can’t thank y’all enough for keeping it 1 thousand and as soon as I’m able I WILL RETURN THE FAVOR!!!

And that’s on PHIL!!! I love y’all and I’ll see you in September.

- KING

SHOUT OUTS:

OMG Girlz, Tameka, Pretty Hustle, Angie Martinez, DJ Enuff, DJ Infamous, Drake, J.Cole, Nipsy Hustle, Nelly, B.o.B, Killa Mike, Lil Book, Donnis, Rich Kid Shawty, Amare Stoudemire, DJ Drama, MLK, Greg Street, Maino, Mouse and Hustle Hard (Welcome Home 80!!!!). Also would like to shout out…

Deidra Collins / Memphis, TN, Kyrstal Greenwood / Gaithersburg, MD, Trevor Toodle / NC, Christopher Chizer / Houston, TX, Renee Mathews / Clinton, MD, Ronnie P / St. Louis, MO, SimoniaMeChelle / Memphis, TN, Justin Allen Garcia from the Phillipines, Ashley Smith / Birmingham, AL, Brunette /Jackson, MS, @lilmariahc, @bash_ti, @1stlaydi, @the_blueprint4, @jmuse821, @jstablishgohard, and @ladyflirty!

T.I. will be released September 29th.  Aren’t you excited?

It’s never too late to deliver good news, so we’re telling you now what went on with TI back on Memorial Day. So to keep it short and sweet: the King gave back. Yes he’s still stuck in the Forrest City Correctional Facility in Forrest City Arkansas, but he found that good deeds can be done from anywhere.

Tip sponsored a bus trip for the 46 family members of 14 fellow inmates to visit the prison so they can be with their loved ones on Memorial day weekend. The bus trip was titled “To See a Love One”, and TI sure felt he needed to do it. He said to MTV.com:

“I’ve been blessed to receive tons and tons of mail from my fans, family and friends, as well as get visits on a regular basis. Unfortunately some guys aren’t as fortunate. There are a lot of good dudes in here that haven’t been able to see there loved ones in years. Their families can’t afford the trip so I wanted to help out.”

Aaww… now that is one sweet boo you have, Tiny.

TI’s clothing line, AKOO, among his other businesses isn’t stopping either, although the King is still imprisoned. In fact, AKOO just launched the “Salute the King” campaign, which invites Tip’s celebrity friends such as Diddy, Nelly, Hosea Chancez, B.o.B. and all TI fans to upload video messages to www.salutetheking.com. You can find out more about TI in the website, browse video submissions, upload your own video and also download exclusive contents for free. Be on the lookout for in-store promotions as well.

Jeff Belizaire, Director of Marketing for AKOO Clothing stated:

“We’re providing the public with a positive and creative outlet to express their love and appreciation for TIP.”

So if you have something to say, go to www.salutetheking.com and send your love to the King!

May is the month for AKOO Clothing’s “Salute the King, Bring TI Back to the South” campaign. This month the brand will launch a viral video campaign where celebrity friends and fans of TI have an opportunity to record a 15 second video testimonial to TI personally and have TI respond to them.

This campaign is as awesome as it gets because it invites the public to have an opportunity to be up close and personal by giving them a positive and creative outlet to express their love and appreciation for TI.

Another news: AKOO will release its brand calendar with female pin-ups wearing AKOO during holiday 2011.

Now THAT is something to look forward to!

T.I.’s incarceration is now taking a toll on his business. At least that’s what the rumors say. Even worse, there are talks about his Grand Hustle Records shutting down. Jason Geter, Grand Hustle’s co-CEO denied the rumors in an interview with Billboard.com.

“Number one, Grand Hustle is definitely not dismantled, we unfortunately did downsize [on staff] and relocate. We’re doing business, just in a lighter way. A smarter way, due to our current situation.

We don’t have much business to do, not much going on, why pay people when unfortunately there’s not much going on? Same thing that the major labels are doing, it’s no different. Supply and demand, at the end of the day. It’s just the way of the business.”

Geter remarked that Grand Hustle’s relocation and downsizing was done with T.I.’s blessing.

“It’s no secret we’ve taken hits, back to back, with Tip’s absence [serving out his prison term]. We’re partners, we talk about everything, no matter if he’s in or he’s out. It’s Grand Hustle, so we communicate with one another.”

What about AKOO? Geter assured T.I.’s AKOO Clothing fans that the line is still going strong.

That is a relief!

TI has been known for his undying love for Tameka “Tiny” Harris. After a decade of dating, they finally tied the knot last year and although Tip has to spend his time in jail afterwards, he’s making sure the world knows how much he loves his lady. Tip wrote a love letter for his wife and you’ll be able to see this published on the March issue of XXL.

“Can’t say enough about how special of a woman I have. It takes a lot to endure the worst of times and still stay grounded during the best of times. She’s been able to do so for as long as I can remember. For all that and more, I just adore her in every way. I love her spirit, her heart, her integrity and her loyalty. She’s the love of my life and the girl of my dreams. I’ve heard so much about it being hard for true love to exist in the fast lanes of Hollywood, when dudes can’t stay respectfully committed and chicks can’t stay out their man’s pockets. But somehow she makes it easy, and we’ve never had those problems. Some women can’t keep up with their men, and others can’t seem to slow theirs down. She’s shown that she can do both in grand fashion.

A man like me couldn’t ask for a better match. When the world has turned on me and there is darkness all around, she finds a way to bring light in my life and provide positive energy in the face of some of the most extreme circumstances. As long as we have us, f*ck da world…nothing else really matters. I’d lay my life down for her and wouldn’t blink about it. In my eyes, she’s the most beautiful woman, inside and out. I wouldn’t trade her for all the sun at the beach. As much as I’ve done wrong in life, I’m convinced that I must’ve done something right to deserve a woman as great as her. And I’ll forever do all I can to continue to show my undying love and appreciation.”

Let us hear you say: “Aaawww…”

He’s a good man, indeed.

Rapper TI is possibly facing more trouble in prison.  Although all charges of drug possession against his wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle have been dropped, it turns out that Tiny allegedly has gotten her husband into a pickle.  Now it has nothing to do with drugs, but for getting hot and steamy during visiting hours in prison.

As we all know, TI is paying his dues – again, for probation violation.  This time, it’s 11 months which means it will be a bit longer before we can see the King run free.  Tiny has reportedly been visiting her husband in prison… and at one time she and TI were caught engaged in a sexual activity in the visiting area.  TMZ reported:

Rapper T.I. got in some serious trouble with prison officials this weekend — after guards caught the most famous inmate in Arkansas getting “frisky” with his wife during visiting hours … TMZ has learned. T.I.’s wife Tiny confirms … the two were in a room together during regular visiting hours at Arkansas State Prison when Tiny made like Michael Jackson … and ‘beat it’. Tiny says she hasn’t spoken to T.I. since the incident — but she’s hopeful she’ll be allowed to visit again soon … as long as she keeps her hand to herself.

Ouch.

Tiny has denied the incident, saying in a radio interview:

“What y’all saying over there. Oh, don’t you say that. No. That’s not what happened. It was just, it was just, they [the prison guards] just could’t see it. [laughs]“

The Hollywood Gossip reported that TI was put under stricter watch as a result of the incident.

According to state prison guidelines, inmates are allowed to kiss and embrace at the beginning and at the end of a visit as well as hold hands in there. However, “the inmate’s hands must remain in plain view of staff at all times.” Same goes for the visitors. In his pants doesn’t cut it apparently. Tiny confirms that as a result of this stroke of bad luck, T.I. was sent to a “Special Housing Unit” consisting of more security and less freedom.

Hope it’s not going to get him into more trouble. By the way, Happy New Year 2011, people!

Rapper TI must be real proud that his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, a.k.a. Mrs. Harris, finally ‘announced’ to the world that she’s taking his name.  And she makes sure she never forgets ‘coz she’s setting this with a tattoo.  And we mean gorgeous-looking tattoo!

Girl looks real cute in this pic.  And the tattoo is enough to make any girl in the world jealous.

Tiny took part in a photoshoot for Sister 2 Sister magazine, and words on the street is… she’s getting back together with her girl friends from her 90′s R&B group: Xscape.  Are they cooking something up their sleeves?  We don’t know.  All we know is we miss Tiny’s voice ‘coz this girl has IT.

If you miss Tiny and Xscape, here’s a throwback from the 90′s: Am I Dreaming – Xscape feat. Keith Sweat.  And if TI has an internet connection in jail, we bet he’ll be a proud husband!

Looks like the King is pleased with how you received his No Mercy album, dear fans.  He’s written yet another letter from behind the bars for you.  Here goes:

What up world? First off I’d like to thank everybody again for going out and supporting the “Hustle” yet again with “No Mercy” last week. I can’t say enough on how much I appreciate the support and all the positive feedback. I read so many tweets, letters, reviews and comments that spoke volumes to how much love was still out there and how much respect still exists for my art and my passion. I put so much of myself into what I do. I even read over the negative comments cuz’ that’s the kind of energy I feed off of to adjust, evolve and improve my craft until it manifests into the closest thing to perfection on the next go-round. I love hearing your opinions on what songs you like most for the next singles. We are taking all of them into consideration as we decide right now on which direction to head in. I know this seems like an unfortunate set of circumstances to endure for a career with so much potential but remember adversity builds character and character takes you places money can’t. I know what’s in store for me in the future so I ain’t trippin’ and neither should you. For now all my love and best wishes to you and yours for the holidays. Y’all hold it down out there and I’ll do the same in here. And continue to spread the word about “No Mercy” & Team T.I..

Take it light and Be Eazy,

Love – King.

And here’s a video of Tip’s “No Mercy” featuring The Dream.  Yes, so you won’t miss Tip as much!