Multiplatinum rapper T.I.'s stars were perfectly aligned: He had finally sealed the deal with his long-time lady love Tameka "Tiny" Cottle by getting married in July; he was basking in the glow of his box-office smash "Takers"; and he was in the throes of wrapping up a new album and had completed taping a VH-1 music special. Until Wednesday night.
T.I. and Tiny were crusing in West Hollywood when they were pulled over for a routine traffic stop. When police officers got wind, literally, of what was wafting throughout their luxe vehicle's cabin, it was curtains for the celeb duo. The vehicle was searched, drugs were found, and the couple was arrested and booked on felony possession of a controlled substance charge.
Now tongues are wagging. Is T.I.'s comeback career over? Did he put a lid on his coffin by sabotaging his future as not only a successful and respected musician but as an actor.
According to Ed Garland, a defense lawyer for the 29-year-old hip-hop megastar who spoke to the Associated Press about his client, "We're not making any observations at this time. This is an unfortunate occurrence, and we do not know what the outcome will be."
As far as his music label, Atlantic Records, is concerned, a spokesperson said that it "would be premature to speculate about the current situation given that there is an ongoing investigation of this matter."
No one seems to want to speculate as to the outcome T.I. could be facing as a recently released offender, who spent seven months in prison on weapons charges and who had been out on probation. As a condition of T.I.'s three-year-parole, he was forbidden from committing another federal, state or local crime or illegally possessing a controlled substance.
Drug tests and participation in a drug- and- alcohol-treatment program were also required. Despite the stringent rules of T.I.'s probation, not even U.S. Attorney Sally Yates, Atlanta's top federal law enforcement official, would dare clue us in on what the future might hold for the "King of the South":
"The probation office is in the process of determining what happened and will make a recommendation regarding Mr. Harris when they have all the facts."
Another member of T.I.'s legal team Dwight Thomas echoes the general sentiment that no one should be making any predictions as to how T.I.'s case will be handled:
"We don't have a full grasp of the facts and circumstances. We don't know the violation," he said. "I will remain optimistic until this matter is favorably resolved."
And what about the rapper's fans of mostly young people, who have not only supported him throughout his musical journey but continued to do so even after his prison release through his community service efforts which targeted youth?
T.I. devotees would travel to hear him preach about the importance of staying in school, working hard and (ironically) keeping their distance from violence and drugs. Many parents of these children say that despite the rapper's legal woes, they still believed the righteous messages he delivered to their children. "The kids were starstruck, of course, but it was a good forum," Sabrina King told the AP, who attended one of T.I.'s community service talks with her 13-year-old daughter, Raven Jones.
Landon Brown, principal of Lindley 6th Grade Academy in Cobb County, Ga., told the AP that Harris visited his school about three years ago to openly discuss with the children the regrettable decisions he had made in life and how they had impacted him.
"Many of our at-risk kids are going down the same path, and it is often beneficial for them to hear from someone they can relate to," Brown said. "The kids clearly heard the message about how the choices they make now may have consequences that affect their futures."
Meanwhile Tiny, who is the co-star of the BET reality hit show "Tina & Toya," may be able to skate on the charges with regards to her case. Reportedly, since she is a Mom, jail time might be avoided depending on the quantity of drugs that were found. Legal experts contend that courts loathe jailing Moms, particularly if there is no father to care for the children at home. Jailing both T.I. and Tiny would mean that the children would be literally parentless.
Right now, those bright lights that were lining T.I. and Tiny's path are dimmed.