by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
TI (aka Clifford Harris) is my favorite rapper, and the person I consider to be one of the most talented artists in America. I've made no secret about my appreciation for his music, and from friends of mine who know him, I can say that he is genuine about reducing gun violence among our youth. TI is also the artist that I would have gambled on to have the greatest likelihood of turning his life around. He has a lot to live for, and people who love him. He's made his mistakes, but I was convinced that he'd grown from them.
Now, after hearing about his arrest for drug possession, I'm not so sure if TI has learned a thing. In fact, I'm having a hard time distinguishing TI from his self-destructive counterpart, Lil Wayne. And yes, I will say this in public: I think Lil Wayne is an idiot.
