VH1 aired T.I.‘s episode of their newly returned original series, “Behind the Music” last Thursday (Oct 8). If you didn’t catch it or caught it and would like to see it again, here it is! The 41 minute video really dives deep into T.I.’s past life as a drug dealer and budding rap star. He also goes a bit more in depth into the situation that left his best friend/assistant Philant Johnson dead and explains why he was carrying a stock pile of firearms following that incident.
In 2006, T.I. released his fourth album “King” and also made his movie debut in the film ATL. But drama would meet him once again that spring. At a concert after-party in Cleveland, Ohio an altercation erupted between the rapper and some club goers. After leaving the club, the vehicle carrying T.I. and his entourage was sprayed with a barrage of bullets – wounding the driver, T.I.’s bodyguard, and T.I.’s personal assistant and good friend Philant Johnson. Phil was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The death of Phil caused T.I. to feel immense guilt; questioning if he wanted to continue with his rap career. He said for all the times he’d been arrested for having guns the one time he needed a gun he didn’t have one.
2007’s “T.I. vs. TIP” highlighted T.I.’s heightened paranoia following the death of Phil. If that wasn’t bad enough, police officials that same year informed him that his name and address were on a “hit list” compiled by gang members. T.I. was also receiving death threats via phone calls that were being sent to him and his family members. Because of this he started to stockpile firearms.
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Continue reading for the full 41 minute video!
