Can the Troubled Rapper FINALLY Turn Over A New Leaf?
7:00AM ET August 30th, 2011
Contributor : Jecquea Howsie
A Rocky Williform Company

It’s evident that over the past year hip hop has missed the southern sounds of T.I. TI recently penned his final heartfelt prison letter to his fans, again promising redemption upon his impending release. However, was it too little too late? And as he awaits the day until he finally gets his walking papers, we wonder if he’s honestly learned his lesson.

Just like a roller coaster, his life is filled with ups and downs, and for every stride T.I. makes in the right direction, it seems like he takes a step back. Understandably, his first prison stint on weapons charges was the result of the paranoia, fear and anger he felt in the wake of witnessing his best friend, Philant Johnson, die in his arms. In a misguided desire to defend himself, Tip inevitably put himself back in harm's way. And wound up in prison for it.

But does that explain the arsenal of machine guns found in his car? Nonetheless, we forgave him; overlooking the fact that, unlike everyday people who would’ve been locked up for a lifetime, he received a lighter sentence.

We applauded him from afar as he vowed to get his life together and focus on his family and music, even celebrating his return, and the many philanthropic acts he did leading up to his ‘09 prison term.

So it was surprising when he was caught-yet again, with drugs in Los Angeles. Of course we’re not passing judgment. In fact oftentimes it takes years for people to deal with their issues and get their lives together. However, many still view his current incarceration as a deliberate slap in the face to the justice system and those rooting for his success.

Celebrities tend to be celebrated one minute, criticized the next, by the media and the general public. Did T.I. succumb to the unrealistic demands the media and his fans placed on him? Perhaps. But his incarceration could be the result of his ongoing difficulty in surrounding himself with people that enable his worst tendencies. Maybe its still too soon to say whether or not he's changed. As time goes, it does seem as though T.I.’s redemption is a journey that never ends.