TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

T.I. Shows Up Late To His Party

ADVERTISEMENT

By CURTIS ROSS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 1, 2009

TAMPA - Looking at a year in stir for a firearms possession conviction, rapper T.I. is making the most of his free time before reporting to prison.

He's starring in an MTV reality series called "T.I.'s Road to Redemption" and he's organized his own rolling goodbye party, an outing somewhat melodramatically titled "The Farewell Tour."

The Atlanta-based rapper, born Clifford Harris, is known as the "King of the South." He's scored two No. 1 singles from his most recent album, last year's "Paper Trail."

Still, he drew only 5,370 people to the Forum on Saturday night, a figure hardly fit for royalty.

Perhaps that's why he took his time taking the stage. An announcer informed the crowd that "T.I. is in the building" around 10:20 p.m., but the rapper didn't make his entrance for almost 20 minutes, during which the announcer dealt with an increasingly restless crowd with volleys of expletives and "shut ups."

The night started slowly with a procession of MCs, including Charlie Hustle, performing brief sets for a crowd more interested in an announcer who was choosing fans to meet T.I. backstage.

Finally, Busta Rhymes took the stage around 9:20 p.m.

The rapper has one of the most distinctive deliveries in hip-hop, a rapid-fire, dancehall-reggae-influenced flow that has powered him through a two-decade career, from his beginnings with Leaders of the New School through hits such as "Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check."

Saturday night, Busta's booming voice and commanding stage presence brought a welcome shot of adrenaline to the show, finally getting the crowd animated for the length of his set.

In another disappointment for the crowd, illness prevented singer Keri Hilson from performing Saturday, according to a Forum representative.

Reporter Curtis Ross can be reached at (813) 259-7568. For a report on T.I.'s set, which began too late for the Tribune's deadline, go to Keyword: Liner Notes.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT