Clifford “T.I.” Harris appeared on The Larry King LIVE show last night in his first post jail interview since being released from federal prison for weapons charges.
King grilled the 29 year old rapper about his desire for fire-power and why he felt the need to have so many weapons in his possession.
In a detailed explanation, Tip said it all began when his friend, Philant Johnson, was murdered and how he felt that he was actually the intended target, not Johnson.
“It came from an attempt that was made on my life,” T.I. told King. “It caused a state of depression and paranoia. My judgment was jaded, and I felt my life was in danger.”
Besides all the serious topics about weapons & killings, the interview was actually pretty entertaining. Tip talked about fatherhood, his love for Tiny “Tameka” Cottle, and even took the opportunity to display his broad vocabulary. [Sidenote: “absolutely” appears to be one of his absolutely favorite words.]
I could care less about what he had to say, I just liked hearing him say it. Ain’t nothin like a Atlanta man’s dialect!
Watch the FULL interview:
Tip remained calm, cool and collected throughout the entire interview and answered ALMOST all of King’s questions. Almost.
There were two questions that Tip “absolutely’ refused to address. The first being, when King inquired about Tip ever having fired a gun, he promptly told King “I plea the fifth” on that one…”
Another question asked about Tip’s probation officer and the rules he must abide by got the response of, “The specifics of my probation and conditions, I’d rather keep to myself.”
T.I. admitted that he has to get permission from his probation officer to travel and King tried (again) to ask about the terms but got the same answer… “I said that… the specifics of my probation I’d rather keep to myself.”
Hilarious.
Moving forward, T.I. says he plans to be more conscious of his surroundings cause he says he’s NEVER going back to jail.
“The main thing I can do to protect myself in the future is to understand my position. I can’t put myself in an environment where it will require me to have a handgun.
I just stay places where I can be cool. I have security now. … I take full responsibility for everything that happened to me. I’m a full believer that your life is what you make it. Society doesn’t owe you anything.
Way to go Tip! Great interview.? T.I.’s next album “King Uncaged,” will hit shelves this summer.