By Debbie Schlussel
For weeks, I’ve been hearing ads on Top 40 radio stations aimed at kids for the “T.I. Farewell Tour.”
Since I’m familiar with rapper T.I. a/k/a Clifford Harris, I knew that this “Farewell Tour” is not a prequel to this loathsome 28-year-old individual’s retirement. You see, T.I. is scheduled to begin a year’s stint in the Big House, federal prison after pleading guilty to firearms charges. The guy is a thug, and he’s not only been promoted on Top 40 radio but also on MTV, where he was a reality show star. In a case of art imitates life, T.I. played a drug dealer in the movie, “American Gangster.”
Since I knew the T.I. story, I thought, Wow, even for a rap star, that’s pretty galling. The guy is basically mocking and exalting his stay in federal prison and status as a convicted felon. It’s nothing new that criminal status and–especially prison stays–are the currency of street cred in the rap world. But to have and advertise your tour as a “Farewell Tour”? Well, there is no shame anymore. Not an iota of it.

Rapper T.I. a/k/a Clifford Harris
A brief summary of the history of T.I.: He’s already a convicted felon–he was convicted of felony drug charges in 1998. He promotes drugs and drughouses in his rap “songs.” More:

The entertainer, whose real name is Clifford Harris, was arrested in a federal sting Saturday after his bodyguard-turned-informant delivered three machine guns and two silencers to the hip-hop star, according to a Justice Department statement.
Authorities said that Harris, 27, provided the bodyguard $12,000 to buy the weapons, which Harris is not allowed to own because he is a convicted felon. Court documents said Harris was convicted on felony drug charges in 1998, and a federal affidavit said he has been arrested on gun charges in the past. . . .
The guns were not registered on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law. The bodyguard — who has worked for Harris since July — told authorities he had bought about nine guns for the rap star in the past, the statement said.
On Wednesday, authorities said, Harris arranged for the bodyguard to pick up $12,000 in cash from a bank to buy the guns. After his arrest, the bodyguard made phone calls to Harris, which authorities recorded, the statement said.
Harris was supposed to pick up the guns after meeting the bodyguard in a shopping center parking lot in midtown Atlanta. . . .
Court documents in the case show Harris was convicted on felony drug charges in Cobb County, Georgia, in 1998 and sentenced to seven years’ probation. “Harris has additional arrests and at least one probation violation for unlawfully possessing firearms,” according to an affidavit.
Harris’ music is built around the drug culture and is known as “trap musik,” the name of Harris’ second album. A “trap” is Southern slang for a drug house.

While I blame T.I.–the guy is vermin, I blame MTV, radio stations, and concert tour promoters and venues (all of whom are promoting this guy and the “Farewell Tour”) even more. They’re the ones promoting this mockery.
So, did you let your kids go to the T.I. Farewell Tour? If you’re reading this site, probably not. Still, as I’ve noted, there are parents who irresponsibly take their ten- and eleven-year-old kids to see the grisly, gruesome “Friday the 13th,” without a second thought.
And sadly, there are plenty just like them who allow their young kids and teens to see T.I.
Say good-bye, America. A good-bye which may not be as long or drawn out as I originally assumed.
T-Minus one month until this cretin gets, temporarily, out of America’s kids’ face. Unfortunately, there are plenty in line to take his place.
Too bad, it’s just an ephemeral “farewell.” If only it was, good riddance forever.
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There are plenty of rumors that this great influence on American culture, T.I., is Muslim. But if he isn’t, I’d bet he will be when he comes out . . . thanks to our wonderful federally-funded Muslim imam prison cleric brainwashing system.