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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 18 april 2017
T.I. for office? The rapper talks Tupac Shakur, activism

JOHN CARUCCI
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Rapper
T.I. has no plans to ever run
for public office, but he
said he wants to make a
difference in underserved
communities through ac-
tivism and music.
The Atlanta-based art-
ist spoke about affecting
positive change in his com-
munity while backstage at
the Rock and Roll of Fame
induction ceremony earlier
this month in New York.
The rapper performed in
honor of the late Tupac
Shakur after Snoop Dogg
inducted him into the Rock
Hall.
“It’s an extreme honor,”
said T.I. “I feel like, you
know, as a kid, Pac was my
favorite rapper since the In this Sept. 17, 2016 file photo, T.I. performs during the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta.
first time I heard him, and Associated Press
you know, that’s the first
person I ever, as an artist, and allow us to do more.”
hoped to pattern myself T.I. has expressed frustra-
after.” tion over President Donald
Shakur was gunned down Trump’s rhetoric on Twit-
in 1996 in Las Vegas at the ter, but said he intends to
height of his career. focus on doing things that
If he were alive today, T.I. “affect our communities in
thinks he would be more a positive light.”
than a musician. “Get involved with local
“Anything could have hap- elections.
pened with Pac, man. Just Find out who your local
his diverse intellect, and politicians are and hold
the way he thought out- them accountable to cre-
side the box could have ate substance within the
led him anywhere in life,” community,” said the rap-
he said. “He may have per, who plans on releasing
gotten into politics by now. new music later this year.
Who knows?” As for running for political
T.I. has been active in the office himself, that’s not
community, focusing on something he sees in the
youth programs for boys cards.
and girls, and feels his role “I don’t think so. I’m not a
continues to grow when it politician. I’m not a politi-
comes to providing help to cian. If I can use my influ-
those that need it most. ence for the best for some-
“We get better at it every one else, who I feel is de-
year as we continue to serving, I would do that,
go in and mentor and do but I am not a politician,”
things to help kids in the he said.
community. “I’m too motivated.”
And right now we hope to The Rock and Roll of Fame
have some partnerships induction ceremony will air
with some corporations, April 29 on HBO.q
strengthen our resources,