T.i. Got the Memo…

T.I. Got the Memo'

Challenges all the 'fellas' to say, 'Not On My Watch!'

As the dust settles after the Dirty Awards debacle, T.I.'s support of E. Walter Smith's Tenderness Campaign continues to raise the bar of what it means to be a Hip Hop Star.

November 2008 Atlanta, Georgia

As many Americans are basking in the excitement of a new Obama Nation and all of the changes that it will bring to the meaning of 'cool,' platinum selling rapper /actor, 'T.I.,' is speaking out against domestic violence and abuse.   His recent PSA in support of international singer/songwriter E. Walter Smith's song, 'Tenderness,' and The Tenderness Campaign continues to serve as the new model of what it really means to be a Hip Hop star.    http://www.ALittleTenderness.com/TI.pdf

Of course with every new movement there will be hiccups in the transition.    Ironically, after T.I. received the first annual 'T.I. Humanitarian Award' presented by It's Cool To Be Smart, chaos erupted during his performance.    Although the mainstream media and paparazzi tried to tell the tired story of yet another Hip Hop award show fiasco, many failed to report that 1.)  T.I. was not involved in any of the violence and that 2.)  Alfa Mega admitted to MTV that he was embarrassed and ashamed about his actions at the event. 

Ty Cohen http://www.musicindustrysuccess.com/tycohen.htm, music industry's most recognized voice says, 'Clearly T.I. got the memo!   Gone are the days where your credibility, street or other wise, was associated with how much chaos you can cause at an award show or any other public venue.  The new model for real success is based on 'old skool' marketing techniques like being involved in the communities where your fans live,  and aligning with campaigns and organizations that will touch the minds and hearts of broader, even international, target markets.

I've followed T.I. for the past 5 years and have seen him do everything from take 200 kids fishing on a Saturday morning, buy toys for needy kids at Christmas, and speak candidly to thousands of youths about the importance of crime prevention and staying in school.    He's not a Saint, but more importantly he recognizes his opportunities for improvement and is striving to be a better person.   

T.I.'s support of E. Walter Smith's Tenderness Campaign is brilliant.   The victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse are larger in number than other kind of social cause.   E. continues to build an amazing network of support organizations and I'm sure the Hip Hop community that T.I. brings to The Tenderness Campaign will greatly appreciate his support.

In fact, T.I. and E. Walter Smith have partnered with It's Cool To Be Smart founder, Curtis Benjamin in support of the book he co-authored with Karen Watts titled, 'Saving Our Daughters From A Man's Point of View.'   http://www.amanspointofview.org/ 

The book features stories written by:

*Hollywood Heartthrob Lamman Rucker,
* Platinum Award Winning Rapper "T.I."
* NFL All Star Deon Grant (Seattle Seahawks)
* Grammy Award Winning Singer/Songwriter/Producer Sean Garrett,
* Celebrated Actor "Slim Charles" from The Wire, Anwan Glover,
* and Tyler Perry's Top Thug, Gary Sturgis

'Speaking about domestic violence awareness ain't sexy but it sure is necessary,' says T.I.   This 'collaboration' of the Hip-Hop community and the Pop/R&B community is the kind of effort that is needed to make an impact on this international epidemic.   

To learn the '10 Warning Signs' of domestic violence and abuse and order this beautiful song of healing and inspiration, please visit http://www.ALittleTenderness.com

Contact Information:

The Tenderness Campaign

http://www.ALittleTenderness.com