T.I. Testifies in Philant Johnson Murder Trial

Cincinnati, OH – In what has been some interesting news to the industry and the media as of late, it was reported that T.I. was to be the main testimony the murder of his childhood friend Philant Johnson. If you might recall, back in May of 2006, T.I., his close friend Johnson, and members of his entourage were shot en route to the hotel in Cincinnati prior to leaving a club performance. Philant Johnson died at the scene as gunshot shells hit the black van they were travelling in, at the same time injuring a couple other people.

Two years later T.I. returns to Cincinnati to testify against the shooters in what must have been a distort and difficult time for TIP. He arrived at the Hamilton County Courthouse dressed in a dark blue dress shirt, baggy black jeans, black sneakers, and a black suit jacket. He took the witness for over 40 minutes recalling the tragic and horrific scene that night while Judge Ralph E. Winkler listened in on the testimony given by T.I. He discussed how it hard for him to break the news to Johnson’s parents and 5 year old daughter that he had passed away, while doing so he occasionally made eye contact with the murderer 34 year old Hosea Thomas sitting across the room with charges of felonious assault and murder amongst other charges. The courtroom assembly was filled with some friends and family of the defendant and several T.I. fans who came to show him moral support. T.I. solemnly told the jurors in a subtle voice that even though his brethren passed away tragically, that the bullets were meant for him.

He proceeded to elaborate to the jurors and the prosecutor how he and Johnson met as children, how their mothers were, and how they grew up together in Atlanta.

We were born in the same year, so we grew up together. [He] was my oldest living friend. We knew each other since 2 years old, at least. He had a role in my life, personally as my best friend, a role in my organization, as my assistant.”

Every now and then, we would reminisce about certain inside jokes and comments that him and Johnson would crack at each other and somehow he gave a smile. He continued to describe the events that occurred that night going into exact detail of what he could recall. He explained arriving to the after party at Club Ritz where they were reserved VIP in the jam-packed club after their show with Yung Joc at club somewhere across town. He stated that while some people tried to get into VIP, the club security refused them entry. Those patrons, in turn, began causing a scene becoming irritated and infuriated over the dismissal. Several minutes a scuffle ensued involving several people in the club. He explained how he kept his entourage calm and collective as they decided it was turn to leave as they didn’t want any part of the brawl. He continued on as he explained getting into the backseat of the black van as Johnson climbed into the front. As they pulled away from the club, he described seeing a headlights coming quickly from behind towards the side of their vehicle, before he realized what was going on or could even react, shots rang into the van. Once the shooting ended, the driver pulled over before attempting to get on the onramp of the freeway, as he realized the tires were flat.

“At that point, we’re calling everybody’s names out to see if everybody is all right, called Phil’s name out, Phil didn’t respond, so at that point everybody was trying to get out of the car, picking Phil up, trying to get Phil out and the car come back and open fire again.”

When he was questioned on what Johnson’s body was like as they pulled him from the vehicle, he stated one word “lifeless” describing the blood dropping down Johnson’s face. While they were moving Johnson’s lifeless body from the first van to the second, the shooters came back around and shot at the second vehicle, he described, shattering the back window. Soon later the Cincinnati police arrived and took some of his members to the hospital. During the testimony, Thomas began scribbling some notes down on the paper occasionally making eye contact with TIP, himself as the prosecutor began exhibiting photos of Johnson.

He omitted that he called Johnson’s mother first and then returned to Atlanta and told Johnson’s father and 5 year old daughter in person.

“I told her her daddy’s gone and he’s in a better place and he won’t be coming back. And I told her how much he loved her.”

He explained his apology to Johnson’s mother and how he felt it was entirely fault.

“First, I apologized, because I felt that all those rounds were fired for me … and then I told her what happened. … There wasn’t much else to say.”

Charles Isaly, Thomas’ defense attorney, cross examined TIP and drilled him about his past convictions of cocaine distribution and more recently his weapons charges and attempting to buy silencers for his automatic weapons. At the same time he also cited lyrics from a couple of songs from his most recent album ‘Paper Trail.’

At press time, the older brother of Hosea Thomas, Padron told authorities he was in the vehicle with Hosea at the time of the shooting and agreed to testify against his brother in return for prosecutors to drop murder charges and a lesser sentence. The trial is set to go further with providing additional evidence and the testimony of other witnesses.

This whole situation is crazy, I can imagined how TIP felt staring directly at his brethren murderer in the courtroom. The incident was outlandish and quite chaotic; who would think a minor scuffle in a club could lead to shootings and death. The situation just got out of hand and led to a devastating conclusion. I know the shooter has serious remorse about taking Johnson’s life. I await the verdict from the trial.


Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak vs. Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy

In the ongoing feuding war of album sales and soundscan results, apparently November is the month that is causing the most havoc. Between label mates like Luda and Ye, colliding head to head in a bidding war of albums and interestingly a year before 50 Cent and Kanye West had the same feud. This time around, you would think that Ye and Luda would be at each other’s necks, apparently, it’s a whole Rock group against the Louis Vuitton Don.

As both albums release within the same week, tensions are rising that the 16 year return band Guns N’ Roses will outsell Kanye this year, beating the reigning champion as he took the G-Unit leader for all he had last year. There are a lot speculations going around that the release of ‘Chinese Democracy’ might put on damper on 808s & Heartbreak’s album sales when the Soundscan results come in the week after. However, Geffen Records, home to Guns N’ Roses for past decade, are saying that they are going to withhold results from the media and the public until Sunday, November 30, the same day Def Jam is stating they will release sales results as well. At the same time, Kanye might also have a lead, whereby his album is going to sold everywhere, where GNR’s will only be exclusive to Best Buy retail stores across the U.S. While most albums in the U.S. are released on a Tuesday, ‘Chinese Democracy’ will be released on Sunday giving GNR a two day advantage over West’s album to be released on this coming Tuesday.

Chinese Democracy took Axl Rose, lead singer of Guns N’ Roses, over 16 years to complete, with a new band, new material, and more innovative style keeping to the same signature that once made the band unstoppable returns while old and new school fans alike are going wild. 808s & Heartbreak was an idea that Ye took with the use of Auto-tune and analog 808s providing a different style than the norm Kanye that we are used to hearing. While Rose incorporates heavyweight Rock legend Sebastian Bach to assist him on a certain track, West incorporates the mega rappers, Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy to assist him on his chosen tracks.

Regardless of the fact that both albums are on two separate sides of the spectrum, it still is a major event that Hip-Hop clashes head on with Rock and on both ends we are dealing with top sellers and fan favorites. One is a magnificent legend who writes pure masterpieces, while the other is a talented renaissance man that produces and raps on a very high level. It is quite obvious that this sounscan showdown will be an interesting spectacle.

At press time, 808s & Heartbreak will be released this upcoming Tuesday (November 24) alongside Theater of the Mind. Chinese Democracy was released earlier Sunday morning putting Guns N’ Roses in the lead with an incredible head start. I’m quite sure there will be more news hitting the media and the industry as the week passes and sales begin ranking in.

As an avid music listener, I must admit I listen to all kinds of music. I am an old school fan of Guns N’ Roses as throughout the years when I was growing up they’ve released a plethora of hits. Albums ‘Use your Illusion I’ and ‘Use your Illusion II’ have spawned platinum albums that have surpassed sales of today. There music has become Rock masterpieces in the decade that we’ve been in.


Travis Barker Sues Involved Companies in Plane Crash

After months of therapy and recovery after the plane crash that killed four people in September, celebrity drummer Travis Barker now plans on filing a hefty lawsuit on the company that was suppose to fly from South Carolina to California that tragic night. According to TMZ.com, Bombardier, Inc. a Canadian Aerospace conglomerate and makers of the Learjet; Clay Lacy Aviation, a jet-charter company; and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is being sued for the use of their faulty equipment in allowing such a substandard plane to pass regulations. The cause of the crash was determined as blowout, sound voice recordings from the aircraft deemed that the accident occurred from a tire blowout.

The suit states the plane used faulty, defective equipment.

‘Its landing gear, tires, wheels, brakes, reverse-thrust system, squat switches and component parts were not airworthy. One or more of the tires failed, leaving tire debris and portions of airplane components along the 8,600-foot runway.’

At the same time, the suit also claims that the pilots used unprofessional measures in aborting the takeoff.

“The pilots’ decision was a breach of their duty owed to the passengers onboard and was a substantial factor in causing the crash and resultant injuries and deaths.”

At press time, they have collected audio tapes from the incident to be used in the case against the company. He is suing for pain and suffering, psychological and emotional distress and disfigurement and pre-impact fear of death and burning.

Since the incident, Barker’s first televised appearance was on Total Request Finale on MTV. He talked about his condition and therapy he had to endure. I can completely understand where he’s coming from with the lawsuit, but honestly is that going to bring his friends back. I guess it’s the best thing to do.