Ya Heard: Is T.I. qualified to advise at-risk youth?

Dennis Winn/Columnist
Published: April 3, 2008

OK, so in the face of three federal gun charges, Atlanta's T.I. changed his plea from "not guilty" to "guilty" and will be sentenced to a year in prison and 1,500 hours of community service. Most of the community service puts the platinum-selling star speak-ing to at-risk youths about nonviolence and education. U.S. Attorney David Nahmias stated, "We believe this resolution is in the public's interest."

Of the community service, T.I.'s attorney Steve Sadow stated, "…It is the best way for him to give back to the community, and that was very important in negotiations."

All that community service amounts to 62.5 days. With news of T.I.'s plea deal circulating throughout the masses, numerous organizations have begun asking T.I. to speak to their youths.

Sohh.com reported that the Rev. Daniel L. Edwards (President of NAACP's Henry County Branch) and actress Journee Smollett of 'The Great Debaters are two of the many people who have invited T.I. to speak to their respective organizations.

The idea of T.I. giving back to the community like this looks good on the surface, but I'm not convinced it'll deter at-risk youths from a life of crime. To T.I.'s credit, he is not a typical thug-rap superstar. He is actually one of my all-time favorite artists. The A-T-L born emcee does promote positive, peaceful and mature behavior—in between bustin' people's heads in his rhymes—but at least makes an a genuine effort.

Furthermore, how does T.I., a convicted felon numerous times over, stand in front of children and say "Don't take the path that I chose to take in life?" If I were an impressionable young child, I might think "Well, hey T.I., maybe crime does pay." These kids see the man on television everyday at awards shows, in movies and in music videos. They listen to his music. For him to try to reverse his message may end up doing more harm than good.

It would be different if he were doing the community service because he truly had a change of heart, but that's not the case.

This display of political grandstanding is quite sad when you really look at what's being done. Most of the children that T.I. encounters will remember his court-appointed message for a short time, but will ultimately only remember that T.I. came and spoke to his or her class, club, or what have you. These kids will not get past the image of the T.I. they know from TV, to really understand the message that he's attempting to give.

This is not a slight on T.I., as a man or as an artist. The issue is bigger than one person. It's just one of many examples of how people can get thrown in front of judicial and political policies that send out mixed messages. Remember Beanie Sigel's "Stop the Violence" public service announcement in Philly a couple of years ago? … Ridiculous!

REMY NEEDS YOU!

You want some more? Here's a hilarious piece of news: In lieu of facing a considerate amount of jail timefor four assault counts, Remy Ma is now asking fans to send letters to Judge Rena Uviller asking to give Remy a lenient sentence April 23.

Remy was convicted of shooting her former friend twice in the stomach after she discovered $3,000 missing from her purse outside a Manhattan nightclub this past summer. The friend survived, but Remy's freedom doesn't look like it'll be as fortunate.

The stupidity of the crime is what gets me. Come on, Remy, you have to be smarter than that.

Remy's Myspace.com page contains a posting that states, "Please write letters about how Remy and [how] her music has positively affected you,

influenced you, inspired you, etc., in hopes that the judge will be lenient in Remy's upcoming sentencing, Thank you for all your support."

LOL! Pac's "Keep Ya Head Up" positively affected me, Biggie's "Juicy" positively affected me, even the Lost Boyz' "Renee" posi-tively affected me, but Remy Ma? Naw, homey. I understand what her camp is attempting to pull, but let's try a different angle here, people.

Not to mention Remy was strutting around the whole trial as if everything was fine. Remy was reportedly shocked when the jury returned her guilty verdict. She is said to have been repeatedly saying, "Oh my God, oh my God!"

Anyway, for those of you who have been positively influenced by Remy's music, please send your letters to , lol!

BONNIE & CLYDE 2008?

To be or not to be? That is the question fans are waiting for Jay Z, 38, and Beyonce, 26, to answer. The pair has been involved in a romantic relationship since 2002 and seem ready for the next step.

According to MTV, the platinum-plus couple obtained a marriage license in New York Tuesday. An unidentified source reportedly close to the couple told UsMagazine.com, "Jay is trying to pull it together quickly and on the fly to keep it private. They really wanted it to be private."

The source also stated that the two are looking to wed as early as May, when Jay finishes his "Heart of the City Tour" with Mary J. Blige.

Speaking of the "Heart" tour, Jay and co-headliner Mary J. Blige are in town Sunday at the Verizon Center. The show is reportedly sold out, so hopefully you are all "in the building."

HIP HOP TRIVIA

What was the title of Redman's debut album?

Be the eighth person to send me an e-mail with the correct answer and receive two free AMC movie tickets courtesy of the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger…Until next week, peace, and see you IN THE BUILDING!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-400-8301 or .