Recently, when popular rapper T.I. tried to enter gated community where he lives, he was met by police, arrested, and charged with “disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, and simple assault.”
Speaking to reporters, Henry County Deputy Police Chief Mike Ireland said the rapper was arrested around 4:30 a.m. during an argument with a security guard. The rapper had lost his key, and the guard refused to allow him to enter the community. After the confrontation with the security guard, police were called, and T.I. and a companion were arrested. The rapper’s attorney, Steve Sadow released a statement proclaiming his client’s innocence and charging the police with making a wrongful arrest. According to his statement, the guard was asleep, and the rapper had a difficult time waking him. Once he did, he properly identified himself, then called his wife, who also confirmed his identity. Sadow said, despite this, the guard refused to allow the rapper to enter the gate.
According to the attorney, T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, got into a verbal confrontation with the guard before police were called. “Words were exchanged and, apparently, the guard and/or a supervisor called the police. When the police arrived, they were not interested in hearing Tip’s side of the story and wrongfully chose to end the situation by arresting Tip.” While many were quick to offer their support for the rapper and his side of the argument, others pointed out this is not the first time Harris has brushed up against law enforcement. Back in 2009, Harris served seven months in prison after being arrested on federal gun charges. And, about a year later, he did a 10-month stint for violating his probation when he was arrested on drug charges.
Harris, who has been in the process of establishing himself as a twin threat in the entertainment industry, as both a rapper and an actor, has not spoken to the media about this latest incident. Given the he-said/they-said nature of the confrontation, at this point, the people lining up on either side of the argument are less likely to be swayed by either side’s narrative. Some see a man unfairly treated because of his race, and others see a guy who caused a scene and threatened a man just trying to do his job.
Whatever the real facts of the situation, this is not a distraction Harris needs right now as he attempts to work toward the culmination of his music career and his transition into acting.