Atlanta Rapper T.I. had a message for more than 200 youth at Brown’s Mill Recreation Center last week, “I’m from here, and we never did have no gangs. Didn’t need no gangs. Anybody that’s in a gang is a sucka. And if you see ‘em, tell ‘em T.I. said they suckas.”
The rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris, joined DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May and the DeKalb County Police gang task force unit July 9 to launch an interactive and educational initiative targeting youth ages 10-15.
The appearance was one of many Harris has participated in throughout DeKalb County. As part of a community service obligation stemming from a plea deal after he was caught buying machine guns and silencers in an undercover sting. Harris has also spoken at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, DeKalb’s Juvenile Courts and DeKalb’s Workforce Development.
“I want y’all to know,” said Harris “I would have been far more successful than I am now if I had furthered my education. Who knows what I might have done if I’d gone on to college? I might have signed Soulja Boy.”
Harris appeared before the crowd in jeans and a T-shirt and spoke using simple and plain anecdotes.
“If you get in trouble, and you have to go before a judge, don’t say my name. I’m in enough trouble already. If you’re playing Grand Theft Auto, when you finish, do you go outside and try to do what the game does? Then why would you listen to a CD and then go outside and do the things we rap about? This is entertainment,” Harris explained to the young listeners hanging on to his every word.
Harris talked about the detriment of teen violence, explaining how his best friend was killed during a street fight he now wishes the group would have walked away from. "Do you think that I care that I won that fight? If I would have said ‘Man, whateva, don’t worry about that,’ my friend would still be here.”
“This was a great opportunity for DeKalb’s youth to hear first hand from T.I. and be given a realistic and candid presentation about life choices and possible consequences,” said May. "[T.I.] did a phenomenal job in addressing critical issues facing our youth as it relates to teen violence, peer pressure and more.”
Harris concluded the session by answering questions from a number of youth and a few adults. “What’s the best thing you ever bought with your money,” a young boy asked. Harris looked to the ceiling, pondered a moment and said, “A house for my momma.”
