T.I. Cancels Japan Tour

In light of his recent arrest, rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris has cancelled his tour in Japan.

T.I. was scheduled to leave for Japan this Sunday, to promote his new album King, according to his spokesperson, Sidney Margetson.

“I think everybody decided it’s just a good time for him to take this week and regroup,” T.I.’s entertainment lawyer, Jonathan Leonard, told the Associated Press.

After the death of T.I.’s close friend and personal assistant, Philant Johnson during a gun battle in Cincinnati, the rapper’s U.S. tour came to an abrupt halt.

T.I. was arrested Wednesday (May 10) in Atlanta for neglecting to fulfill the terms of his probation.

The rapper was sentenced to 18 months probation and 75 hours of community service after pleading guilty to battery on a law enforcement officer, trespassing and disorderly conduct surrounding an incident in Tampa in 2003.

Another 150 hours of community service were later added after T.I. violated his probation by driving with a suspended license.

Leonard said they were unaware of the unfulfilled probation obligations in Florida.

T.I. will appear before a Tampa courtroom to address the charges on Monday (May 15).

T.I. Arrested, Released For Probation Violation

Atlanta rapper T.I. was arrested and detained in a Georgia jail on Wednesday (May 10) for allegedly failing to fulfill the terms and conditions of his probation.

T.I. (real name Clifford Harris) was placed under arrest after Florida probation officials revealed that the self-proclaimed King of the South failed to complete the required number of community service hours in accordance with his probation.

T.I. was involved in an altercation with security officers at a Florida mall in Sept. 2003.

The rapper and a group of friends were told to leave by security after allegedly causing a disturbance. In the melee, the rapper struck an officer.

Court records show that Circuit Judge Daniel Perry sentenced T.I. to perform 225 hours of community service in March 2005 after he plead guilty to battery on an officer and violating the terms of his probation.

Several months later, T.I. was arrested in Georgia for driving on a suspended license.

The charge was considered a violation of his probation and T.I. was sentenced to an additional 150 hours of community service.

He was also ordered to perform at least 5 hours of service per month.

T.I. appeared in a Georgia courtroom Wednesday (May 10) for an unrelated case, in which the rapper was accused of threatening several men outside an Atlanta strip club.

He was informed the warrant and was promptly arrested.

The Florida warrant accuses T.I. of only completing 10 hours of community service since being sentenced in 2005.

Although T.I.’s lawyer, Dwight Thomas, contended that the rapper had fulfilled more than 75 hours of service in Atlanta, T.I. was arrested and eventually released on a $25,000 bail.

T.I. is scheduled to surrender himself to Florida authorities by Monday (May 15).

Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon Shoot Heineken Commercial

Atlanta Hip-Hop stars Jermaine Dupri and Lil Jon recently wrapped a thirty second television spot for Heineken titled “Jet Bet.” In the ad, the pair wager on who will take home the most Grammy’s, with the winner receiving a 12-pack of Heineken, personally delivered by the loser of the bet. After Dupri wins, Lil Jon flies on a private jet to deliver the prize, one bottle short. “It kinda takes from my video with Jay-Z [“Money Ain’t A Thing], but here we are betting 12 packs instead of money,” Dupri told AllHipHop.com. “It’s straight up Hip-Hop, from the look, [to] the actors [Dupri and Lil Jon] to the soundtrack.” The commercial is slated to begin airing May 7 during the NBA playoffs.

Cincinnati Shooting: Yung Joc Says T.I. Tried To Make Peace

Block/Bad Boy Entertainment rapper Yung Joc appeared on an Atlanta radio station Wednesday (May 3) to set the record straight regarding a recent shooting that left one member of Atlanta rapper T.I.’s entourage dead and three others wounded.

Joc, who was on the road with T.I. and with him at the time of the shooting, appeared on Atlanta’s V-103 FM to tell on-air host Ryan Cameron and fans what happened.

According to Joc, T.I. was a peacemaker in the incident and tried to diffuse the situation. Joc also said the group is still coping with the tragedy and has yet to return to Atlanta.

He further stated that in no way did T.I. have anything to do with the violence.

V-103 changed its traditional format Wednesday in order to field calls from listeners.

The discussion comes in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Philant Johnson.

The 25-year-old died Tuesday (May 2) after an altercation at a T.I./Young Joc concert after-party in Cincinnati.

Gunfire was exchanged as two dark SUV’s chased the rapper’s van on Interstate 75, where the van blew a tire and came to a stop.

Johnson was killed, while two members of the rapper’s entourage suffered minor wounds. One woman remains hospitalized.

T.I. suffered no injuries.

Although Cincinnati police have not taken anyone into custody, they are interviewing several witnesses and are working to get people to cooperate in the investigation.

Atlantic Records expressed its grief over the tragedy today (May 4) via the following statement:

“This is a very sad day for everyone at Atlantic Records and Grand Hustle. Philant Johnson was a part of our family and a true friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Johnson family, T.I. and everyone at Grand Hustle.”