T.I. Begs for Redemption

Rapper T.I. has a new gig: youth mentor. It may seem like an unlikely role for a nearly convicted felon facing hard time. It may even seem like a desperate publicity stunt to keep the rapper in the limelight and the courts in his good favor. A little look inside his new MTV show, T.I.’s Road to Redemption, however, reveals a humility and sincerity that may just help turn some very sour lemons into that proverbial lemonade.

Back in October of 2007, T.I., award-nominated hip-hop artist and rapper, was arrested for firearm possession just hours before he was set to appear that the BET Hip-Hop Awards. We’re not talking minor gear here. We're talking machine guns. With silencers. I cannot think of a single way to spin this situation other than utterly deplorable.

Pending sentencing, he released hot track after hot track, performing "Whatever You Like" live at the MTV Music Awards and teaming up with Rihanna on "Live Your Life." (Incidentally, T.I. was recently cited as defending Chris Brown’s abusive attack on Rihanna. T.I. later retracted his statements, saying that he wasn’t hip to all the facts at the time of his comments.) As his fame rose, so did the stakes for his career, reputation and impact on fans. On March 27, 2008, he pleaded guilty. He now awaits sentencing, and a possible combination of jail time and community service.

Actors and musicians, politicians and moguls –- they've all been known to blame the system when caught with their hands dirty. "This is injustice!" (Paris). "I was framed!" (O.J.). "I am innocent and will fight ‘til the end!" (Blago). In T.I.’s last days of relative freedom before serving his hard time, he made a unique choice in today’s pop culture-driven world: He asked that his experience, his struggle, his shame and remorse become public, in hopes that he could impact young lives that might be at risk for wandering down painful roads.

On his new reality show, T.I. takes us through his last month before getting locked up — and his first month digging his heels into the court-ordered community service work that he has decided to take to the next level. Rather than roll his eyes at paparazzi shooting pics of roadside cleanup or janitorial duties, T.I. seems is bringing his consequences — and lessons learned — front and center.

Via MTV:

"While I'm not looking forward to being incarcerated, I have a long road of redemption to travel," T.I. told reporters outside the courtroom, according to The Associated Press. "I am dedicated and committed to that. I'm looking forward to turning this negative time in my life into a positive ... I realize I completely violated the law, and I take it very seriously."

It is yet to be determined whether his redeemable qualities outweigh the negative. He’s no saint or hero for (seriously) breaking the law. His prior activities may not make him everyone’s ideal role model. But for a lot of MTV viewers, his story stands the chance of deeply impacting their lives. He isn’t making it "cool" to be bad. He isn’t glamorizing a gun-toting life. He’s stepping up and taking responsibility and giving youth a platform for talking about mistakes and challenges, risks and change."Countdown to Lockdown" airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET. Reality TV stands a chance of getting real again.