Rapper T.I. to hit up Barnhill this month
Brian Washburn
Issue date: 2/4/09 Section: News
Rap superstar T.I. is heading to Fayetteville this month. The multi-platinum artist will play the UA spring concert at Barnhill Arena Feb. 25. T.I. is a surprising choice for the UA. In the past, bands performing on campus have usually come from the pop or rock genre.
"The Headliners Concert Committee wanted to bring in a different genre that we haven't brought in before," said Scott Flanagin, director of Communications and Outreach for the UA. "The committee looked at both country and rap and hip-hop. They decided that T.I. would definitely be a different show."
T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, released his sixth studio album Paper Trail last year. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Charts and produced a number of smash singles already including "Whatever You Like" and "Live Your Life." Paper Trail has also garnered the hip-hop star a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. But Grammy-nominated performers are not a new thing for the UA concert series.
"John Mayer performed at the Grammys and won a Grammy the same month he performed at the UA. The Foo Fighters performed at the Grammys and won a Grammy the same month they performed at the UA. T.I. is performing at the Grammys Feb. 8 and is also nominated the same month he will play at the UA," Flanagin said. "That is pretty cool for this community that we have had three Grammy winners out of the five concerts we have hosted."
While T.I.'s reign as one of the hip-hop's leading superstars is still going strong, it might be short-lived for the Atlanta native. T.I. has been charged with two felonies, possession of three unregistered machine guns and two silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The rapper pleaded guilty to both charges and will serve a year in prison beginning March 2009, almost immediately after his performance at Barnhill. But even with the looming prison sentence and stigma some rap concerts bring to mind (warranted or not), the UA is not planning any extra security for the spring concert.
"The Headliners Concert Committee wanted to bring in a different genre that we haven't brought in before," said Scott Flanagin, director of Communications and Outreach for the UA. "The committee looked at both country and rap and hip-hop. They decided that T.I. would definitely be a different show."
T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, released his sixth studio album Paper Trail last year. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Charts and produced a number of smash singles already including "Whatever You Like" and "Live Your Life." Paper Trail has also garnered the hip-hop star a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. But Grammy-nominated performers are not a new thing for the UA concert series.
"John Mayer performed at the Grammys and won a Grammy the same month he performed at the UA. The Foo Fighters performed at the Grammys and won a Grammy the same month they performed at the UA. T.I. is performing at the Grammys Feb. 8 and is also nominated the same month he will play at the UA," Flanagin said. "That is pretty cool for this community that we have had three Grammy winners out of the five concerts we have hosted."
While T.I.'s reign as one of the hip-hop's leading superstars is still going strong, it might be short-lived for the Atlanta native. T.I. has been charged with two felonies, possession of three unregistered machine guns and two silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The rapper pleaded guilty to both charges and will serve a year in prison beginning March 2009, almost immediately after his performance at Barnhill. But even with the looming prison sentence and stigma some rap concerts bring to mind (warranted or not), the UA is not planning any extra security for the spring concert.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
bill hicks
posted 2/04/09 @ 6:41 AM CST
and sadly, the only decent and respectable band you've brought is Spoon.
Dominic
posted 2/05/09 @ 9:09 AM CST
Why not come up with a list of potential artists and put it to a vote amongst the students. I mean really...OAR? Maybe a few years ago.
Jackie Knoff
posted 2/25/09 @ 10:24 PM CST
T.I is one of the hottest rappers out right now. I'm glad to see Fayetteville bring in a big name star from the hip-hop genre since that's what most young people listen to. (Continued…)
ted from legal
posted 2/27/09 @ 5:01 PM CST
Proving again yet again that young people are all idiots?
It is probably not the fault of those who chose these concerts. They work hard to at least feign being in touch with the trendy young crowd. (Continued…)
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