The turnover rate of forgiveness for celebrities is a seemingly easy process according to Hollywood and pop-culture standards.  If a star’s past status of extreme relevance has dwindled down to a miniscule spark of interest to the public, it seems that not much is to be feared on the celebrity’s part because there is usually a good chance that they can bounce back. Examples of this phenomenon stretch across the numerous entities that encompass pop-culture from sports, media, television, movies, music, and so forth and it all returns to the classic notion that “no publicity is bad publicity”. Remember Isaiah Washington from ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy?  He’s infamously known for getting the boot from the show in 2007 after saying a few choice words to co-star Patrick Dempsey during a heated argument.  Though his language and reported outburst was only directed towards Dempsey, he indirectly offended co-star T.R. Knight and the LGBT community, thus he was black-balled from the scene for quite some time.  Despite that bad publicity, it was recently announced that Washington has been cast to play the role of John Allen Williams in a movie titled Blue Caprice, a film that will document the sniper incident that occurred in the Virginia and Washington D.C. area in 2002.

Another celebrity who has been receiving extremes of total support to immeasurable outrage from the public is the one and only Charlie Sheen.  The Two and a Half Men star is well-known for his confusing rants and random antics. Unfortunately for Sheen, production of his popular sitcom has halted because his actions affected the integrity of the show, its network’s reputation, and offended many people in the viewing audience.  Despite his actions, Sheen received a whole new audience of followers and fans who may not have even watched the show or even followed his whirlwind of a career before.  Interestingly enough the show is still being syndicated on several networks and will continue to be for many years because of its popularity. Maybe his antics and classic one-liners like, “I’m not bi-polar, I’m bi-WINNING” worked for him and not against him in this case.  Sheen’s next chapter of solidifying his bad-boy image will be during his “honoring” on Comedy Central’s Roast series on Monday, September 19 at 10/9c.

A final example of how Hollywood and the media tend to forgive celebrities is with the case of Grammy-award winning rapper Clifford Harris Jr., also known as Atlanta’s own T.I. In a bizarre turn of events he was re-arrested after being released from prison. Many people heard about this news, rolled their eyes,  and thought to themselves what  did he do this time? He was being sent to a halfway house in Atlanta to finish out his sentence for a parole violation that took place in September 2010, but officials re-arrested him because his mode of transportation was not approved.  He used a large tour bus which reportedly was not allowed because of certain rules and regulations.  Surprisingly the kicker to this story is not that he was re-arrested. The interesting dynamic that exists is that VH1 was actually filming T.I.’s release for a reality series that will document his return back to his life and career after his stint in prison.  The first episode is slated to air on Monday, December 5, 2011. Again, here lies another example of a celebrity’s ability to profit from a loss and the forgiving nature of the media and the pop-culture audience.

–Kelsey Evans

What other examples do you know of a celebrity’s mishaps turning into large gains?

A naked photo of rapper T.I. has hit the internet. It looks fake to us, but if you’re still interested, head over to Media Takeout. WARNING: This Photo May Be NSFW

Hasn’t this man been through enough drama in 2010? Here’s to hoping next year goes better for him.

T.I. & Christina Aguilera’s “Castle Walls” [NEW MUSIC]

T.I. & Jazmine Sullivan’s “Dying In Your Arms” [NEW MUSIC]

Superstardom is ultramodern. Define superstardom today and textbook examples would be long lost Motown songstress Alicia Keys, world pop phenomenon Beyoncé Knowles and post-Warhol shock art fashionista Lady Gaga. All of those women have changed views of feminism, sex appeal and physical lyricism in one way or another. Alicia Keys encourages women to be superwomen. Superwoman Beyoncé is the biggest sex symbol since Farrah Fawcett and Janet Jackson. Lady Gaga has reinvigorated the meaning of life imitating art.  Amidst their peers, Barbadian chanteuse Rihanna is a hard sell.

Finalizing her first headlining world tour, Rihanna had some thing to prove: that Miss Sunshine could let her freak flag fly high. With Travis “Travie” McCoy nowhere insight to open for her and with glitter brat Ke$ha also M.I.A., there was no warm up for her tour kiss-off on Saturday, August 28. She was also at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, which meant a lot of distraction, considering the buzzing lights of Ferris wheels in the backdrop.

Opening instead was DJ Ross Rosco who played the grand-slam list of 80s and 90s Top 40 club anthems who kept the place jumping, while up-and-comer J Brazil sang a 10-minute set of three songs, drawing a mix of cheers and jeers for scream-belting like an Adam Lambert hopeful.

With face-melting guitar licks, lipstick lez-ploitation strappado swinging, and some kinetic chick-chick-kaboom pyrotechnics, Ri Ri kicked off the show with moxie. Introduced by a sci-fi silver screens and a dream machine motif, the dreamscape nirvana and nightmare underbelly of Rihanna’s world is perplexing and at the same time, visually stunning presentation.

Wearing a cascading, floor-length black ball gown, she preformed “Russian Roulette,” the first single of her recent Rated R album, to the images of nude, burning mannequins. Gunned down by pink rifles held by her shirtless male backup dancers, she is lit up like a red Christmas tree, as a platform below her rose to the heavens. ‘Dead,’ she began to the first of six costume changes, stripping into a tiny pink leotard with padded shoulders.

There were many highlights: From her epic straddling of a florescent life-size pink tank in “Hard,” to her take-no-prisoners flouncing amidst outer space tarantulas on stilts in “Disturbia.” Her vandalizing a graffiti-ed car to hell with a slugger in “Shut Up and Drive” to her gas-masked backup dancers hitting their marks on “S.O.S.” to the pair of tightlacer aerial Cirque Du Soliel vixens dangling like autumn leaves from two colossal machine guns in “Te Amo.” Ri Ri produced the goods. Even more surprising, she actually sang most of her songs—with few signs of miming—belting out notes yet experienced via recording on a shrink’s chair, adorned with sham disembodied limbs.

The tour highlighted why Rihanna is cherished today. She’s not a dancer per se and with contagious earwigs like “Rude Boy” and “Don’t Stop the Music,” she let the backup handle it. Which is wise: she played to her strengths. The only weakness in the nigh two-hour spectacle was the awful air guitar “solo” she did on “Rockstar 101.” Couldn’t they have given her a few cords to play? But at last, all was forgiven when she actually did some awesome banging on the drums when she covered Sheila E.’s “Glamourous Life.” She even performed the cameo performances that built her celebrity such as “Love the Way You Lie” and “Live Your Life.”

Finishing up with her signature “Umbrella,” red confetti blasted into the crowd, as a grungy distorted guitar howled, she left a barrage of images in one’s head by the end of the show: crash test dummies, mushroom clouds, creepy claws crushing a heart. She may not be playing with the big girls, but this girl knows how to leave a lasting impression.

Rihanna Set List:
“Russian Roulette”
“Hard”
“Shut Up and Drive”
“Fire Bomb”
“Disturbia”
“Rockstar 101″
“Rude Boy”
“Hate That I Love You”
“Rehab”
“Unfaithful”
“Stupid in Love”
“Te Amo”
“Pon de Replay”
“Don’t Stop the Music”
“Breakin’ Dishes”/”The Glamorous Life”
“Let Me”
“SOS”
“Take a Bow”
“Love the Way You Lie”
“Wait Your Turn”
“Live Your Life”
“Run This Town”
“Umbrella”

Rihanna’s Got A New Hairstyle [PHOTOS]

Rihanna’s Wax Figure Finally Unveiled [PHOTOS]

There is something alluring about the imagery of TI tossing a Molotov cocktail into an abandoned warehouse.

It’s dangerous, it’s terrible, it’s the bad-boy type of sexy that is at times undeniable.

There is something intriguing about listening to Teairra Mari croon about the dynamics of “sponsorship.” Watching her proudly tout baubles and goods fronted by a pseudo-sugar-daddy-sponsor is simply interesting.

The idea of watching a young woman by the name of Kiely Williams demonstrating exactly what a night of “spectacular” sex is like in a music video appeals to many people. Perhaps it’s a turn on, perhaps it is liberating, perhaps it is disgusting. Irregardless of the emotion it stirs in the viewer, such a video is compelling.

Sure we detest negative imagery in the media; but don’t we also oblige it? Russel Crowe said it best in the movie “Gladiator,” when he brazenly shouted to an arena of onlookers taking in the sight of imprisoned men fighting beasts and well armed men alike in a battle for their lives:

“Are you not entertained?”

The truth is, you are. You are entertained by sex, drugs, violence, grandiose things, pretentiously glamorous people and the underside of life. We all want to watch others do the things that we never can or never will. You may never be the cause of warehouse arson, but admit that there is something about the flames that make you want to watch.

You may be too independent to ever expect any person to sponsor your Gucci-store-exploits. But admit that you watch Tierra Mari flaunt such a lifestyle, and marvel over the sight of how the other half lives.

Maybe a night of random, irresponsible yet spectacular sex is not your vernacular. But admit that you would watch a music video based on this premise and talk about it, think about it, secretly envy it, or adamantly detest it.

Whatever your perspective on the controversies birthed by today’s entertainers, admit that in the end, we are all entertained. With that said, I must ask, at which point do we separate the role models from the entertainers and accept each for what they are. Many of the most successful entertainers in the world have ridden the wave of controversy to the top of the industry. Superstars are super because we, the consumers, make them that way.  We demand that they keep our attention, then slam them for doing the things that are inherently entertaining. What if it is you and I who are responsible for and accordingly guilty of causing the idolization of less  than wholesome public figures? Really who is to blame? This discussion can so easily become a battle of which came first, the chicken or the egg; but there is something valid about the argument that we should not expect our entertainers to carry more than one torch if, in the end, we simply want to be entertained.

Take a look at some of the most recent stars to stir up conversation of who and what a role model is. Should we expect these people to keep us interested and teach our children at the same time, or should we separate the two responsibilities?

Discuss.

“I’m Back”
TI

“Spectacular”
Kiely Williams

“Sponsor”
Teairra Marie

Take a look at some of your favorite entertainers in the gallery below and decide; role model, entertainer, or both?

We here at GIANT pride ourselves on taking that great shot — that perfect picture. And this year, we have had quite a few of them. From the lovely Kerry Washington and Jessica White to T.I. and Terrell Owens (not to mention the debut of Sasha Fierce), GIANT remembers all the great talent that graced the pages of our magazine with our “Year In Pictures.” Yeah, we are kind of a big deal…

T.I.P. shows why no one has swagger like him in his first GIANT cover shoot. Check out the photos below!

T.I. shows why no one has swagger like him in this behind-the-scenes video from his first GIANT cover shoot. Watch it below!

For more T.I., click here to see his exclusive GIANT photo gallery!

And for more T.I., click here to read his GIANT coverstory!

Customizing cars  has been a part of hip-hop culture for the longest. Turning a 300C into a Bentley must be like an instant orgasm for celebs. Besides Xzibit on MTV’s Pimp My Ride, Funkmaster Flex has been lending his customizing expertise to automobiles in car shows everywhere. He recently gave Ford’s 2010 Taurus SHO a new look for the 2009 SEMA Convention by transforming it into this:

Nowadays all most celeb’s drive fabulous cars, but back in the day before all the glitz and glam what automobile would they have been driving-that would have needed a little pimping?

Mase, his slow rhymes on the little yellow school bus. This pretty much has everything you would need except maybe a T.V in the headrest.

Yeah Jigga walk right out the club into that Camry. Get some blue lights, to match your Yankee fitted.

Don’t know how that would look with rims but it would be worth a try Em.

Aw, look at the little hatchback. Throw some tints on the windows and you could of had a little Chris- Mobile.

Looking like that Mariah, you and your fourteen kids would have fit perfectly in a station-wagon. Open the trunk and put a Playstation in it for Nick cannon!

Well sorry 50, but I dont think the police will us trick this ride. Good thing you turned your life around though, hopefully no more trips in that truck!

T.I- Heard you were kind of really  broke before you came “The Rubber Band Man” the bus may have been your only means to get around. Good thing is you can definitaley fit 28″ rims on those tires. The A/C always works and its more advanced than any Bentley- you can fit wheelchairs on it!

The only thing she should be riding!

They are true street goons and bosses, but they also know how to clean up and get their grown man on! Mixing urban trends with high fashion pieces, these trendsetters  know how to get fly.   Zania Black

To be a successful rapper you got to keep it gangster, have swag everyone wants, and tell multiple chicks they’re the best you ever had. What if rappers used their birth names on stage…..would you still listen?          Zania Black

Fans are hyped over the Jay-Z and Alicia Keys duet performance (sans Lil’ Mama) on the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Listening to these two heavy hitters on the “Empire State of Mind” track recalls to mind all the other collaborations in music. Songs with one superstar are good, but songs with two or more superstars are even better.

Watch the music videos for some of the hottest track collaborations over the years:

Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West – “Run This Town”

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”

Jay-Z and Mary J Blige – “Can’t Knock the Hustle”

T.I., Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z and M.I.A. – “Swagga Like Us”

T.I. and Justin Timberlake – “Dead and Gone”

Ciara and Justin Timberlake – “Love, Sex and Magic”

Diddy, Jermaine Dupri, Murphy Lee and Snoop Dogg – “Welcome To Atlanta (remix)”

Diddy, Faith and 112 – “I’ll Be Missing You”

Busta Rhymes, DMX, Mary J Blige, Missy, Rah Digga, Papoose and Lloyd Banks – “Touch It (remix)”

Busta Rhymes and Janet Jackson – “What’s It Gonna Be”

Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson – “Scream”

R. Kelly and “Mr. Biggs” (The Isley Brothers) saga -

• “Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)”

• “Contagious”

• Kelly Price’s “Friend of Mine (remix)”

Drake and Trey Songz – “Successful”

Left Eye, Lil’ Kim, Missy, Angie Martinez and Da Brat – “Ladies Night”

Brandy and Monica – “The Boy is Mine”

Here’s a quick glance at today’s movers and shakers in the business. From breakdowns to top selling albums, these celebs are on the rise and have made the cut for the GIANT List‘s A-List…

1. Maxwell

Who knows how to make a better comeback then Maxwell? Though “Pretty Wings” is still in rotation on everyone’s Ipod, Maxwell has also dropped the video for his newest single “Bad Habits” with a chameo from the irresistible Kerry Washington. BLACKsummers’Night debuted at number one and proves that R&B is still alive and kicking. 

2. Jay-Z 

With the drop of The Blueprint III around the corner, Hov has been hitting these streets promoting the most anticipated album of 2009 with a stunt of publicity overdose. The CEO of the ROC was seen in New York this weekend on set for the video for the second single off the album, “Run This Town” with his little brother ‘Ye and sister Rihanna in tow. Checkout exclusive backstage pics of the super-hero crew on set here. Also while in the city, the Jigga man was spotted strolling through the hoods of Marcy Projects with mogul Oprah Winfrey on his arms. I guess the advantage of not being put on her show is being her personal tour guide through your hood, literally. 

3. Kimora Lee Simmons

After months of baby Kenzo being MIA, we doubted we would ever get a glimpse of the bouncing bundle of joy. Though Djimon and Kimora didn’t receive anywhere near the money Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubrey received for leaked pics of baby Nahla, Kimora looks stunning with her new family in their OK! Magazine photoshoot. 

4. T.I.

Though Tip is still behind bars, it doesn’t mean he can’t be King while he’s gone. His single “Remember Me” featuring Mary J. Blige was No. 3 on the itunes top downloads and the he has also dropped a video for “Slide Show” featuring Justin Timberlake. Check it out below….

5. Solange

Though its been months since her alleged buzz cut, Solange has been causing a scene with her new do. With a remixed version of her cut (new side part) and her own eccentric swag, Solange is proving she isn’t just Beyonce’s little sister. Check out pictures of the sisters in Japan this weekend…

6. Kerry Washington

For simply being the sexy Ms. Washington. Did you see her in Maxwell’s “Bad Habit” video?

7. Wendy Williams

The queen of cyncisim and snide remarks is killing the television scene right now and has everyone saying “How ya doing” even when her show isn’t on.

8. Michael Jackson

Just cuz we miss him.

9. Whitney Houston

We’re all about comebacks and have already pre-ordered the next Whitney album.

10. Stephon Marbury

Just for remaining consistent with all of his foolery…

A glimpse at Pharrell’s BBC Hunting Pattern Collection will remind you of the fact that rappers (Pharrell gets a pass as one) should not, in almost all cases, dabble with fashion.

Unfortunately, when they do pursue it, not only are the designs poor, but they make them overpriced and exclusive to online-only “boutiques” to hide the shoddy quality of the actual clothing. With brands rolling out their fall collections, here’s a glimpse of what’s on the horizon for existing labels and those that are sure to spring up as they follow in the footsteps of sorely missed Vokal.

CURRENT BRANDS

The Clipse (Play Cloths)

The duo will ditch the hipster set in favor of their natural audience: aspiring street merchants and neighborhood pushas. Cloths’ smuggling-friendly attire — including garments already impregnated with liquid coke! — will soon be seen on every street corner and airport smoking lounge.

T.I. (Akoo)

With Tip in the box until May, prison garb would be more fitting for the king of himself, at least. Mix in his stand-in and Grand Hustle patna Young Dro’s penchant for Sour Skittles pastels and the fall line of jumpsuits will take a decidedly candy paint look.

FUTURE BRANDS

Charles Hamilton (Sonic The Hamilton)

With Interscope forced to shelve his album, the label will look to recoup their investment by packaging a Sonic The Hamilton pop-up book with Tiger Beat in promotion of a tween boutique brand of Sonic tees.

T-Pain (Thr33 Ringz)

Sure to be a staple at swap meet and flea market circuses across the south, Pain’s brand of top hats and ringmaster jackets are necessities of sideshow swag.

Taz Arnold (The Nerdz Gang)

Armed with a Kanye co-sign and a Paris Fashion Week-stealing Leopard print tights, Taz will unleash his future line (named after his kiddie Crenshaw gang), catering to all Liberace-Lupe-She-Ra-Flashdance-Polo enthusiasts — who also happen to be Arabian cowboys. In other words, no one… except for maybe Kanye.

With a Diddy album, you know you’re not getting a lyrical masterpiece (unless he takes a cue from Charles “Dukie” Hamilton and were to summon the ghost of Biggie via a séance) but the production would at least be tight. Besides being able to lock down any name in the game like he did on Press Play (Timbo, Kanye, Just Blaze, etc.), he could also turn to his in-house Hitmen squad, including the likes of Sean C and LV who were responsible for the best cuts on Jay-Z’s American Gangster.

However, as per HipHopDX, Diddy’s magnum opus Last Train to Paris is indefinitely shelved according to the man himself. Puff cited not wanting to be caught in the middle of both Drake’s and Jay-Z’s respective buzzes over their upcoming albums, which were set to be fourth quarter releases along with Paris. And so, the project, announced back in February could very well get the repeat push-back treatment a la Detox for the following reasons:

1. The Auto-Tune factor

Even with T-Pain’s blessings, which Puffy stated he had in the bag, it might be a stretch to think he could continue with its use ever since Jay effectively read it its last rites.

2. Who’s gonna ghostwrite for him?

Sure he doesn’t write rhymes, but according to Mad Skillz and a laundry list of other emcees, Puff doesn’t always write the checks either. Plus, everyone’s favorite ghostwriter, T.I., who may have or may not have penned some material for Press Play, is currently incarcerated.

3. The film accompaniment.

It takes a while to make a film—and by film I don’t mean some 30-minute, shot-by-your-homeboy-in-a-couple-of-days joint like Loso’s Way (Skip it, yo). Rumors stated that Hype Williams was set to direct the Last Train film portion but it seems like Hype is always busy shooting some new Kanye joint and knowing Kanye, he’s probably dropping an album any month now so a single or two will need visuals. Not to mention Hype’s last full-length foray Belly wasn’t exactly a blockbuster. It wasn’t his fault though—the Lil’ Homey couldn’t act a lick.

4. The business behind it.

Puff’s a business man, and according to Forbes, a damn good one, too. Albums don’t sell so why even bother? And whatever he has up his sleeve couldn’t possibly come cheap.

5. His fledgling acting career.

The whole Bond thing was never gonna happen for Puff (Idris Elba got it), but there’s always Broadway, right?

-Devin Chanda

With time to spare while incarcerated, bulking up may not be a bad idea for the Atlanta native. In promotion of PETA’s “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign, the Bankhead rapper has been asked to bare it all after his release from jail. Tip has strived to clean up his act and has been involved in community service since his recent stunt with the law. ”We’re asking T.I. to use his fame and his experiences to bare the truth about the fur industry by baring his skin,” PETA executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said.

The request was sent via mail to inmate # 59450-019 stating: “We read that you looked to Martha Stewart for advice on how to pass your prison time and come out on top. Did you know that she agreed to narrate an anti-fur public service announcement for PETA because she experienced first hand what it is like for the millions of minks, rabbits, and other animals…”

We’ll see if T.I. will take his community service commitment to the extreme. If you’ve noticed, PETA has a thing for ex-convicts. First Martha Stewart, then Khloe Kardashian, now T.I.?

-Felicia Kelley

Most rappers rhyme about being the next MJ, but we’ve seen hoop dreams deflate like a true fiend’s weight (no Weezy). Without succeeding in the rap game, here are a number sports where the following emcees would see greatness.

Drake (Wheelchair Basketball)

The only question would be whether the back of his jersey will read “Graham” or “Brooks.” For reasons of nostalgia, we’d like to see the latter.

T.I. (Riflery)

His passion for the sport—going as far as participating in it in shopping mall parking lots—has him sitting in the jail for the next year.

Fat Joe (Sumo Wrestling)

Because he’s fat.

Max B (Surfing)

Because he’s wavy.

Rick Ross (Baseball)

Because he’s a fraud.

• Sidebar: The Clipse could continue their profession as drug dealers by pushing Balco and badges to The Boss.

Kanye West (Mascot/Cheerleader)

Nobody is better at shamelessly promoting his own cause or that of his homies. “I believe Drake has the potential to be bigger than me, to be one of the most important wheelchair basketball players of his generation.”

Asher Roth (Ultimate Frisbee)

Asher seems to enjoy becoming a caricature of college leisure. We will aid his effort by allowing him to frolic barefoot on the lawn with some brews and his brosefs.

Charles Hamilton (Tetherball)

Tetherball, as you may know, doesn’t require any friends.

Consequence (Wood Chopping)

Well, we went there.

- Lukas Brekke-Miesner, Devin Chanda & Shahendra Ohneswere

The commercial below, in which one Doc big ups another (clever), is the clearest indication we have yet that Detox is coming… soon. It just might be the beginning of a promotional push for the album, like what Jimmy Iovine engineered for Em with his Punisher comic, MTV takeover, fake rehab clinic, etc.

50, on the other hand, gets no love.

The snippet heard at the end is the song “Shit Popped Off” (below), written entirely by T.I., as revealed by a leak in March of the unfinished track, where the “King” spits all the verses. Tip was also all over a Nas collabo for the album, so smart money says homey wrote the whole damn album, kinda like what Jay and Hittman (milkbox status) did for 2001 and Snoop for The Chronic. Tip over Dre beats > Bishop Lamont or The Game over Dre beats.

Gameday is approaching for the game’s greatest “practice squad.”

- Devin Chanda

Though T.I. sought to have both his sentence pushed back by ten days, as well as to be entered into a prison closer to his home of Atlanta, his requests have been ignored. Today, the rapper reported to the Arkansas Federal Correction Facility in Forrest City after being charged and convicted of attempting to buy multiple unregistered weapons in 2007.  

A lawyers’ filing said an attempt to change T.I.’s prison location once he already starts serving time would be an “extremely cumbersome process.” 

This past Sunday, he performed at the Phillips Arena in his home state to a crowd of almost 16,000 fans. At one point during the farewell concert, he brought his children up on stage, and amidst a set that included hits from all six of his albums, T.I. thanked the audience for their support. The rapper promised he was “going to stand up tall, head up high” and asked that they “pray for me while I’m gone.” 

Though he may remain out of the public eye for the next 366 days, a sentence of which T.I. will serve at least 10 months, we can expect to still hear his music. Earlier this month in Atlanta, he shot the video for a new song called “Hell of a Life,” from the forthcoming re-release of his “Paper Trail” CD, which will be dubbed “Paper Chase: Case Closed.”  And, it was recently reported that he was slated to film a video for the song “Don’t Forget,” featuring Mary J. Blige.

Rapper T.I. has requested to remain free while searching for a minimum security prison closer to his home to serve his sentence, reports Allhiphop.com.

T.I. was originally sentenced to serve 366 days in Arkansas’ Forrest City Federal Correctional Complex starting on May 26 for his conviction stemming from trying to purchase illegal fire arms.

Maybe he’s no style chameleon, but T.I sure knows how to dress the occasion. Pulling off any look from classy gentleman to preppy to straight up street with style is JUST what fashion is all about. Exclusive suits and Italian shoes share space with kicks and baseball jackets in T.I’s closet and for that we love him and promise to be here waiting!

It’s not likely that any—in T.I.’s words—”Joe Blow” could have received the same plea deal the rapper did. And he knows it. As seen in the video below, a clip from tonight’s finale of his show “Road to Redemption,” T.I. recognizes that his fame helped usher in a significant exception that lessened a potential 10-year prison term to community service and a year’s worth of jail time.

The night before the 2007 BET Hip-Hop Awards, T.I. was caught illegally attempting to buy firearms. The arrest and its aftermath has been covered by news media for months (including GIANT), but finally culminated this past Friday, March 27, when the MC was officially sentenced by a Northern Georgia District Judge. This same judge called the plea deal “experimental,” T.I.’s attorney “unique,” and T.I., himself, an “opportunity,” as its specifications are different than most. If T.I. were to be sentenced to just one year in prison, for example, he would be required to complete the entire sentence. The sentence of one year and one day could allow T.I. to be released earlier for good behavior.

In the rapper’s own words, he’s proved himself “worthy” of the arrangement, as he’s completed 1,030 hours of community service, not counting his MTV show (that’s 30 more than required), as well as 305 days of his required one-year home confinement (he will finish the term once released.) On tonight’s finale of “Road to Redemption,” the show that followed T.I. in his attempts to help change the lives of desperate and misguided teens across the country, the MC sits down with MTV reporter Sway to discuss his final thoughts on the case: “Don’t ask me no more questions. Finito.” This is the first interview T.I. has given since sentenced and the only time he’ll be speaking with a media outlet prior to entering prison.

“T.I’s Road to Redemption: The Reckoning” airs tonight, Tuesday, March 31, at 9pm ET on MTV.

- Danielle Cheesman

T.I. was sentenced to a serve one year in prison today, Friday March 27 2009. The 28-year-old rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris, has between 30 to 60 days to report to prison  to start his bid, reports the Baltimore Sun.

The sentencing stems from an arrest in 2007 when he was caught trying to buy unregistered machine guns in Atlanta.  

T.I. was also charged for unlawful possession of machine guns and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.  The multi-platinum artist expressed his remorse and reasons for attempting to buy the weapons in his cover story with GIANT in the Oct/Nov 2008 issue.

T.I has what is known as “ Kanye Smile”, a super wide grin that bares most of his teeth. And though it’s early on a muggy august morning, T.I is ready with that megawatt beam, flashing what almost looks like a computer-generated twinkle at various producers, assistants and hosts of Fox Business Network’s Money for Breakfast.

Mic’d and prepped to plug Respect My Vote! a grassroots youth-voter-registration drive sponsored by the Hip Hop Caucus, the rapper, born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., waits patiently. Sipping a cup of coffee, he looks to his right and peers over at another guest in the show. The man is holding a book.” How to be a business superhero”, T.I reads aloud. “I need to know that!”

The book’s author, Sean Wise, glances at the rapper seated next to him. He takes in the diamond-studded watch, two heavy platinum chains and the dark rinse jeans that puddle above T.I.’s Air Jordans.”Yea” says Wise, handing over a business card.” It’s a good time to be a venture capitalist.”

“I Just started up my own social-networking site,” T.I. counters in his thick southern drawl.

“So what kind of traffic are you getting?” Wise asks.

T.I leans back in his seat. ”About a million unique visitors.”

“What’s the demographic?”

“Eighteen to thirty, mostly African American,” T.I continues, describing the recently launched site StreetCred.com. “ I just added a blog with audio and video components. Working on a mobile code right now. And we just got the vanity code for the term hip-hop.”

Wise considers this, digs into his briefcase and pulls out another business card.” Here’s my real card.” He says, handing it over.” I’d love to set up a meeting with you.”

T.I flashes his smile and replies:” Not a problem.”

For more with T.I., check out the October/November issue of GIANT magazine!

Even if you’ve never heard of Jim Jonsin’s name you’ve more than likely heard his work. With hits like Danity Kane’s “Show Stoppers”, T.I.’s “Whatever You Like” and Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop,” which he earned a Grammy Award, already under his belt the Miami producer/songwriter talks to GIANT about how “Lollipop” helped other rappers get pop hits and how his highly-touted signee B.o.B., who now goes by Bobby Ray, is going through some growing pains to find himself as a musician.

GIANT: Your label Rebel Rock has a deal with Grand Hustle/ Atlantic for B.o.B. He has a very soulful sound. It kinda reminds me of some old Dungeon Family. What can we expect when he drops?

Jim Jonsin: It’s funny you’re saying that because we are actually going through an adjustment phase with him by way of his sound. We actually transfered him into the rock department in Atlantic. He’s really branching out. He’s playing the guitar and he’s rocking it out a little bit. So I would say it’s kind of a mic between hip-hop and rock. It’s his own little thing that he’s coming up with. We’re just supporting that and letting him be an artist.

B.o.B – “I’ll Be In The Sky”

So looking at your production credits, you’ve produced “Lollipop”, as well as other singles like”Whatever You Like” and Soulja Boy’s “Kiss Me Thru the Phone”. These are very melodic songs for rappers that typically stick to hard drums. What made you go in this specific direction for those guys?

[The late songwriter] Static Major set that off when he wrote “Lollipop”. If it wasn’t for “Lollipop” maybe I would’ve never made “Whatever You Like” because I found these unique noises and sounds- that I used in the same tracks. I kind of followed the mold. Because he showed me that a beat like that could turn into such a great song that it just opened my eyes. And it’s because of him that those guys came out with those hits.

Lollipop – Lil Wayne Feat Static/Major

You just worked with T.I. Is there anything that you guys talked about as far as what he was trying to do before he goes to prison? What’s his whole mind state right now since the last time you talked to him?

I sent him a few tracks about a couple of weeks ago. The last message I got is that he was trying to record and he was being picky about his songs. He’s really trying to record something great before he goes in. I’m not sure where he’s at with it but he just text me this afternoon that he’s recorded this one song and Timberland called him and said that it’s great. I think that he’s got to beat that album that he just put out. And he can definitely do that because he has a lot of things going on in his life right now so I’m sure that he’s inspired. So, he’s just trying to make a good album. Do you know how much pressure that is? being on the road and recording before he gets locked up- that’s crazy.

- Pharoh Martin

Seems like two of the beauties from our March ’09 “Star Track” package have ignited a debate amongst readers as to who’s the hottest Hollywood starlet – Slumdog Millionaire‘s Freida Pinto or actress/model Lauren London. Let’s see how the two stack up against each other.

Freida Pinto, 24

Claim to fame: The Indian model and one time international travel host skyrocketed to fame after Slumdog Millionaire (in which Pinto played the damsel in distress) swept critics and fans off their feet and scooped up eight Academy Awards this year, including Best Picture. Along with the cast of Slumdog Millionaire, Pinto won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. She was also nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2009 BAFTA Awards.

Hits: Aside from Slumdog Millionaire and her work as model, Pinto hasn’t done much else. – yet. She has however landed a role in the next Woody Allen flick. Watch out Scarlett Johanson, PInto could become Allen’s new muse.

Misses: Though strikingly beautiful, her taste in wardrobe leaves much to be desired, as seen by her one-armed Oscar ensemble and the drab threads she rocked on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She also recently dumped her fiance to whom she got engaged to in 2008. Questionable timing if you ask us.

Not that you’re asking or that we’re suggesting. Because we’re not.

Lauren London, 24

Claim to fame: The actress, model, video girl and occasional singer has been featured in music videos for Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, T.I. and Ne-Yo. She’s also acted in ATL and This Christmas (alongside Chris Brown) and will appear in the upcoming flicks Next Day Air and I Love You, Beth Cooper.

Hits: London’s everywhere. You? You’re never there. Whether she’s acting in movies, posing as eye candy for music videos or doing stints on TV shows like Everybody Hates Chris or Entourage, the Los Angeles-born beauty is always present.

Misses:  While it’s good that London’s on everyone’s mind, it’s not so good that some of her claims to fame include hosting BET’s Rip the Runway alongside Nelly, being a presenter on “Mixtape TV,” and posing as Quincy Brown’s date of MTV’s My Super Sweet 16. With this much awkward exposure, she could be one PR snafu away from being the next Kim Kardashian. Which, depending on your standards for success, could be a good thing.

Winner: Freida Pinto

Sure she has issues when it comes to dressing the part of a starlet and may or may have not left her man for fame, but the budding actress hasn’t been as overexposed as London. So unless she decides to pop up in T-Pain’s, Coldplay’s or Flo-Rida’s next videos or host the straight to DVD installment of Justo’s Mixtape Awards, we’re sure that Pinto’s star will stay on the rise.

For more Lauren and Freida, click here to see our exclusive behind-the-scenes video with them both!

And for more, click here to see the ladies in our exclusive photo gallery!

And for even more Freida Pinto, click here to see our one-on-one interview with the Slumdog Millionaire starlet here!

Congrats to Sri-Lankan artist M.I.A for delivering her first child, a baby boy, this past Wednesday.  

“Sunday nite I came home from The Grammys still in the mood to party,” she wrote on her Myspace page. “I coulda easily gone out but I went home instead. Lucky I did! Coz my early stage labour kicked in around 2 a.m.”

You’ll recall that a very pregnant sauntered up and down the Grammy stage for T.I., Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Kanye West’s performance of “Swagger Like Us” during the 51st Grammy Awards. 

The singer didn’t release the name of her child, (the child’s father is Benjamin Bronfman, the son of the chairman of Warner Music Group,) did say that “Me and baby are putting our tour dates for 2010 together and making mix tapes and figuring out a way to break out of the hospital.”

When T.I., Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne took the stage to perform “Swagger Like Us” at the 2009 Grammy Awards on Sunday in tuxedos, it was clear that hip hop is changing it’s stylo…at least for some artists. Then Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, Smokey Robinson and Abdul “Duke” Fakir did their Motown tribute in black-tie, it was officially a new satorial day. The look of The Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.) is back. Check out some other fly guys in black tie.

Nothing in black and white Hollywood is sacred anymore. It used to be a time when people were able to identify the race of a celebrity in the news just based on what they did.  We used to have a lock on athletes with weed charges and they were holding dibs on D-listers with sex tapes and crazy celebrity baby names.

Black celebrity parents haven’t cursed their seeds with outrageous handles like Pilot Inspektor or Audio Science yet, as actors Jason Lee and Shannyn Sossamon have, but we have a few parents that are blurring that fine line and contributing to this madness of funky monikers.

Here’s the Top 10 Wackiest Baby Names in Black Celebridom (Word to Badu):

10. Diezel Ky (Celebrity parents: Toni Braxton and Mint Condition’s Keri Lewis)

9. God’Iss Love Stone (Celebrity parent: Lil’ Mo)

8. Jermajesty (Celebrity parent: Jermaine Jackson)

7. True (Celebrity parent: Forest Whitaker)

6. Seven Sirius (Celebrity parents: Erykah Badu and Andre Benjamin)

5. Mars Merkaba (Celebrity parents: Erykah Badu and Jay Electronica)

4. Puma Rose Sabti (Celebrity parents: Erykah Badu and The D.O.C.)

3. Zola Ivy (Celebrity parent: Eddie Murphy)

2. Freedom (Celebrity parent: Ving Rhames)

1. TIE: King, Major, and Messiah (Celebrity parent: T.I.)

Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments.

- Pharoh Martin

Check our more Crazy Celeb Baby Names on hellobeautiful.com!

I have three bottles of Bud Light Lime, mexican food and I am all set for the Grammys. Let’s go!

8:05 -Sorry, I am late… Damn NFL Pro-Bowl had me caught up.

8:06 – Whitney Houston looks good… seriously.

8:07 – I knew Jennifer Hudson was going to cry.

8:08 – Dwayne Johnson looks just like this wrestler named The Rock. Weird.

8:09 – Someone should put him on the cover of a magazine. Hmm…

8:24 – Jay-Z + Coldplay = ehhh…

8:30 – Was that really Taylor Swift on guitar? (9:00 – Nope, it wasn’t)

8:41 – I heart Duffy… and any chick with a British accent

8:41 – I just read about Chris Brown beatdown. WTF?!?!?!

8:45 – I always find it funny that my Jadakiss-loving wife knows Kid Rock’s rendition of “All Summer Long” by heart.

9:14 – I had to walk the dog during Jennifer Hudson. Sorry. Actually I am not.

9:15 – Seriously, someone should whoop whoever booked this Stevie Wonder/Jonas Brothers collabo, Etta James-style.

9:17 – Is Travis Barker’s arm still really broke? Like, really?

9:24 – Katy Perry is weird and awesome all at the same time. Sort of like this chick.

9:27 – Kanye is getting his MiJac on. Word to Bubbles.

9:30 My Best New Artist vote is for Adele.

9:31 – Sweeeeeeeeet! Don’t know who Adele is? Shame on you. Peep her here:

Chasing Pavements – ADELE

9:37 – Question for Grandpa Freeman, “Who in the sam hell are you and Kenny Chesney friends?” When and where did that bromance kick off?

9:40 – They had to put Diddy up there with Herbie Hancock and Natalie Cole to make him look younger.

9:42 – Robert Plant and Allison Krauss are about to Steely Dan this joint.

9:49 – Grammys Bet Awards moment of the night… “Swagga Like Us”

9:50 – Rat Pack steez. Real original

9:52 – M.I.A.’s outfit??? Style team, please check in.

9:55 – As much as I like Dave grohl and the Foo Fighters… Paul MccCartney = beer break

10:05 – I wonder who Ne-Yo’s escort date is.

10:09 – Blah, blah, blah! ADELE! ADELE! ADELE!

10:13 – I think you should just keep chasing pavements

10:29 – Justin and T.I…. yay! Zzzz. All the girls are losing their minds.

10:39 – Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx getting their retro on… NEXT

10:43 – Three beers in… getting sleepy.

10:50 – What the wife and I watched during Neil Diamond:

Classic

10:52 – Aww, the obituary montage. Pour out a little…

11:03 – See, the Grammys think they’re slick. I get the reference… having the CSI guy introduce Wayne. Shady.

11:04 – Wayne, where’s the guitar?

11:06 – “Son, is that Fredrick Douglass on the keys?” I know it’s not. I just know that someone out there thought it was. You know who you are.

11:10 – Rap Album of the Year… duh

11:10 – Hey Wayne, my wife said: “This is not Soul Train! Tell ya moms to sit down!”

11:24 – Damn, I knew it. Old white rock strikes again. Better luck next year, Wayne!

11:28 – Is this new Stevie? Oh, snap! He better redeem himself for that Jonas Brother ish.

11:33 – OK, I am out. Check back manana for pics, videos, etc. Good night and good luck!

Hip-Hop superstar Jay-Z dropped in as an unannounced surprise during Young Jeezy’s Inaugural celebration at Washington, D.C.’s Love Night Club on Sunday January 18, 2009.  Jay-Z, along with his wife Beyonce and her younger sister Solange, sang along to the Trap Star’s songs before perfoming his own verse on Jeezy’s “My President” remix. The crowd ate it up as they got into the inaugural moment and energetically waved their mini-American flags.

The event, which kicked-off the creative collaboration between Young Jeezy and Belvedere Vodka, was hosted by Big Tigger and also featured performances from other hip-hop icons T.I. and Akon.

In one of his last performances before he has to report in for his year long jail term next month T.I. performed some of his classic songs like “What You Know” and “A.S.A.P” before delving into the catalog of his latest album Paper Trail. The Southern rapper also made some comments about his upcoming sentence and addressed his critics.

Celebrities Isaiah Washington, Ashanti, Nelly, Bow Wow, Tracey Edmonds, Wale, Teyana Taylor and Kevin Liles also made appearances at the event.

Check out the gallery below to see all of the stars.

- Pharoh Martin