TI’s Akoo Clothing Line

TI fans everywhere rejoice!

The King of The South is going to be back soon, guys. We’re not kidding. Sure he was released from jail in December, 2009, but Tip’s now still under confinement in Dismas Charities Atlanta West halfway house. Last week Tip made his first public appearance at a club for his fiancé, Tiny, where he presented a new car for her.

Word is, Tip’s gonna be released on March 26. This has been confirmed by Tip’s lawyer, Steve Sadow:

“That date is correct. TI is now serving the remainder of his sentence in home confinement under the supervision of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.”

TI exited the music scene with a limited-edition mixtape titled “A Year and a Day”, so it’s no surprise that he’s returning with a bang, louder than before and he will be releasing his new single “I’m Back” Monday, March 8th.

Source: HipHopWired.com

Hip hop major names have reached out to Twitter, and the latest artist to join the tweeting stars bandwagon is Lil Wayne.  But yesterday, TI fans everywhere have been excited because the King of the South has joined the social media madness with a verified account name: “Tip”.  So far the account has 27,582 followers, and although bearing the ‘Verified’ seal, questions regarding whether the account is real or fake still linger, especially after Tip’s boo, Tiny, tweeted denying the ‘official’ TI twitter account.

Before entering jail last year, TI talked about why he’s not on Twitter:

“It’s not my swag.  I’m an old fashion type of dude.  I’ll write you a letter and hand you a picture, let ‘em fly it to you.  Put you a letter in a box, floating to your side of the country.  I ain’t on the computer sh**.  [Twitter is] not for me.  No offense to those who do it.  Twit on playa.  People got the king, just not on Twitter.”

So what do you think, is Tip’s Twitter real or fake?

**UPDATE!**

Billboard magazine reports:

Atlantic Records confirms to Billboard that rapper T.I.’s Twitter account (@TIP) isn’t personal, but rather a portal for the label and Grand Hustle to officially announce anything connected with T.I. T.I. himself is not on Twitter. The rep also confirmed that there will be a big announcement coming on Monday, as the Twitter says.

According to recent reports from GlobalGrind.com, rapper TI was seen out and about last night at Opera in Atlanta with his fiancee, Tiny.  This was TI’s first ever public appearance since being released from prison last December.  And yes, this was a surprise appearance!

TI accompanied Tiny in the fundraiser for Alzheimer research titled “For The Love of Our Fathers”.  The rapper said onstage:

“I am very well, very happy to be seen.”

It’s also reported that TI gave a lavish gift for his fiancee… and this time it’s not bags and diamond rings, but -drumroll please…

…a brand new blue Porsche Panamera!

That Tiny is one lucky girl!

Source

Finally a picture of TI post-prison!

As you all already know that our man TI was released from prison back in December, just in time to be with his family for the holidays.  Other reports said that he immediately hit the studio to record some new tracks after re-uniting with his family although he isn’t totally free yet, as he’s still serving remaining time in a halfway house in Atlanta.

And today we came across this picture of TI via BlackCelebKids, playing with his sons, King and Major, which is said to be taken when Tip saw the kids just moments after he got back to Atlanta.

Ain’t that cute??? Looks like the kids are just ecstatic to have their dad back home.

We’ve got another pic of TI, and although this picture failed to show his face, it shows that Tip is all decked in AKOO gear.

Speaking of AKOO gear, here are some cool AKOO t-shirts on discount from DrJays.  Great stuff to hang out with friends or kids and nephews on the weekends.

AKOO Luscent Tee, was $28, now $21.99

AKOO Showtime Tee, was $32, now $24.99

Just when we thought everything is going smoothly for our man, TI, somebody just has to come up with stuff against him.  Tip is still serving time in a halfway house in Atlanta after being released from prison last December, but now he got entangled with the law again.   This time, the lawsuit came from Nathan Filby, better known as Rapper Motoe Blizzid, who alleges TI used parts of his song “Reverence” which was launched in 2004 and only distributed to the industry insiders.

RadarOnline.com reports that in the legal documents, Filby claims that TI’s Grammy-award winning track, “What You Know” shares the “same rate of harmonic range” and states the two recordings have “nearly identical instrumental melodic lines in terms of pitch, shape, and rhythm”.  Filby is seeking damages and profits derived from that song.

It’s just so ironic that these sort of things always happens after a song became a hit. Whatever happened pre-Grammy, man?  We’re just sayin’.

To cheer everybody up, here’s Tip’s “What You Know” video.  Hope this blows over real quick.  TI deserves a break!

The first few official pictures from TI’s upcoming motion picture, “Takers” are out.  Tip stars with Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Hayden Christensen, and Zoe Saldana, in the movie that was previously titled “Bone Deep”, which the story revolves around a criminal group that plans for a money depot heist.

Our friends over at Rap-Up.com got them and here are a few Tip for your viewing pleasure!

“Takers” was originally scheduled to hit the theaters on February, but recent reports said that the movie’s premiere won’t take place until May 14th, 2010.

The official pictures are out now.  We can’t wait for an official TI post-prison pictures. Come on, aren’t you hoping for the same thing too?

Former Grand Hustle associate and TI’s protégé, Alfamega, hasn’t been in his greatest luck, lately, the latest misfortune being his daughter being assaulted randomly in Atlanta’s Club Crucial that so happens to be owned by TI.  But he’s starting 2010 with new optimism.  Alfa told Allhiphop.com that he’s been working on a tell-all book and guess what, he’s written six chapter already.

“I been writing my book though, that’s all I been doing. It’s about my life, everything that happened, giving it real, the whole scenario of what went down with the court stuff, the guy [drug dealer Ali Baager], me and Tip and everything. The name of the book is titled Displaced Loyalty and Revenge. [I've written to] about the sixth chapter.”

Somehow we’re intrigued ‘coz dude can write.  Remember his open letter to TI?  Most probably using a ghost-writer isn’t an option for Alfa.

Will Tip comment on this?  We shall all wait.

Meanwhile, check the newest addition in Tip’s AKOO Clothing Line collection:

AKOO Forward Pass Polo, $62.00

A week ago, U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman announced that he would delay his decision as to release TI or not.  Rumors about the rapper’s early release has been swirling around the internet for days and today, the judge has agreed to free TI.

Dwight L. Thomas, Tip’s lead attorney spoke to HipHopDX:

“Right now [T.I.’s] on his way home to enjoy his children, his family, and his freedom.  He’s under restrictions, but he’s at home. And you know the old saying, there’s no place like home.”

TI was originally arrested for illegal weapon possession earlier this year and his original sentence was 366 days, which meant he would be released around May 2010.  But Tip’s attorneys presented a bond proposal to the court of $2.2 million dollars to enable Tip to be released early and placed in a 24-hour-a-day monitored home confinement until trial.  According to HipHopDX, Judge Baverman requested that TI’s attorneys present a court-approved home monitored and also ordered that Tip post $2 million in cash for bond plus the equity in all the property he owns.

TI has been released on a $3 million bond.

As a part of the deal, Tip can’t leave his home except under limited circumstances, including medical appointments and court appearances. He’s allowed three visitors at a time but they must first submit to criminal background checks.

Tip can’t have any safes in his home as well.  The feds and reps from the monitoring service have searched his home to ensure it was free of contraband.  The house have since been secured and have let no one else in since the sweep.

As far as partying goes, well, being kept at home doesn’t mean Tip is free to throw parties as he must submit to random urinalysis and can’t consume ANY alcohol.  Ah, so there will be no wedding toast yet?

We’ll all have to wait for Tip’s latest news because Tip can’t give any interviews due to the conditions.  No interviews can take place at his home without court approval, so we’ll have to see who nails the first exclusive.  But that does not mean Tip can’t express his gratitude to his loyal fans.  Mr. Thomas said:

“He sends his well-wishes to his fans.  He thanks them for all of their support.”

Looks like it’s gonna be a great Christmas for TI, Tiny and the kids.

Source

Our favorite blogger, Sandra Rose, brought great news today as she said that rapper TI who’s currently still in prison on illegal weapon possession charges, will be released to an Atlanta halfway house to serve out the remainder of his sentence after the New Year.

TI is originally scheduled to be released on May 26th, 2010 after the 12 month and 1 day sentence, but there have been talks about early release since a couple of weeks ago. That is why we think it’s great news that Tip will soon be back in Atlanta, although will still be kept in a halfway house, which rules will be a bit more relaxed compared to the prison. Word is, he might even be allowed to work at the Grand Hustle offices during the day and such.

That ain’t the only good news today. Various blogs and news sites also reported that the King of The south still reigns with his supremacy when Billboard announced their completed year-end and decade recap lists. TI won the Top Hot Songs Artist of 2009, and that’s for his four top 5 singles, “Whatever You Like”, “Swagga Like Us,” “Live Your Life,” and “Dead and Gone”, off 2008’s double platinum Paper Trail album.

If that doesn’t make you want TI to come back to ATL sooner, we don’t know what will. Prepare to greet Tip in style as he comes back, in cool AKOO gear.  Here are some ideas:

AKOO Rugby Union Maul Hooded Cardigan, $130

AKOO Brownstone Jean, was $110, now $86.99

Remember that rapper TI was sentenced for 366 days (read: one year and one day)? Well, MTV.com reported that the King of the South could be released earlier. Here’s an excerpt of the GREAT news:

Though he was sentenced to a year and a day, authorities said before his incarceration that he is eligible for a 15 percent “good time” credit, which could shave almost 55 days off his sentence. In that best-case scenario, he could be released in early April.

“He’s doing real good and he’s ready to come on home,” said Tiny, who expected that T.I. would be home “somewhere in the top of the year.” The rapper’s lawyer could not be reached at press time for comment on when he thought T.I. might be released.

Well, aren’t you excited, TI fans? We know we are!