Why prison is hit-or-miss for hip-hop stars

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At this point, rappers going in and coming out of prison or jail is such a commonplace occurrence that it hardly qualifies as a noteworthy headline. Fans of hip-hop have learned to take these things in stride.

On his 2008 hit “My Life Your Entertainment,” Atlanta born rapper T.I. made a nod to this relationship between artists and fans with the lyrics: “Showered with support from my adoring fans/They hear T.I.’s arrested they’re like here we go again.”

T.I. is a repeat offender. Legal troubled has plagued him throughout his career. Yesterday, he was released from prison for the second time in as many years after serving 10 of 11 months for violation of his probation, stemming from an arrest on drug charges in Los Angeles in September of last year. He will serve the rest of his time at a halfway house in Georgia.

Unlike many who are released from prison with little in the way of job skills or prospects, T.I. is set to get right to work with a book deal and a reality TV show on VH1. His financial outlook isn’t the same as the height of his popularity, but it doesn’t look to be bleak either. What remains to be seen is if his talent has remained intact. Rappers who have served time haven’t faired so well in this arena.

Prison isn’t an artist colony. It’s not a place that nurtures the creativity and passion of individuals and helps them realize their complete selves. It’s a series of cages that demoralize and depress. Souls are broken in prison. DMX, Beanie Sigel, Mystikal, Shyne, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Black Rob, Capone (of Capone-n-Noreaga), Slick Rick and others have found it difficult to regain the type of creative inspiration needed to record at the standards they set for themselves before landing themselves in the penitentiary. As with anything, however, the odds can be overcome.

After serving 11 months of his of his one-and-a-half year to four-and-a-half year sentence for sexual abuse, the late Tupac Shakur hit the studio and produced arguably the best double album in hip-hop history, 1996’s All Eyez On Me.

In 1999, Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah served time for an attempted robbery charge dating back to 1995. Upon his release, he put out perhaps his best solo album, 2000’s Supreme Clientele.

Before his death in 2007, Pimp C of the Houston rap duo UGK made a huge comeback after his after being locked up for three years in the form of UGK’s fifth studio album Undeground Kingz. It’s possible to go to prison, come out and continue creating art at a high level, as these instances proved. But they are rare exceptions. Typically, rappers tend to lose a step or two after an extended stay behind iron bars.

When Lil’ Wayne was released from prison in November 2010, after serving eight months of a one-year sentence stemming from a gun possession charge in 2007, he was able to create considerable buzz a month later with the single “6 Foot 7 Foot.” He sounded like the version of himself that ruled the airwaves from 2006-2008. But the excitement wasn’t sustained, as the much anticipated Tha Carter IV album was pushed back and delayed for months.

To appease his rabid fanbase, he put out the mixtape Sorry 4 the Wait, but it was ill-received. Tha Carter IV finally saw the light of day on August 29 (though it leaked nearly a week early) and thought it is projected to move over 700,000 units in its first week, the reviews have been less than favorable.

The greatest highlights from this album come from the guests (Tech N9ne, Andre 3000, and Nas steal the show in their brief appearances) and Wayne sounds the least focused that he has in the entirety of his career. He’s not known for executing well thought out concept records, but rather for being able to deliver a flurry of witty and provocative punchlines. Here, after prison, all of the sizzle is gone.

T.I. had a similar trajectory last year when he was got out of prison after serving 10 months of a one year and one day sentence on federal weapons charges. His comeback single simply titled “I’m Back” was well-received, though his F*** A Mixtape mixtape came and went without much fanfare. He was gearing up for the release of his seventh studio album, then being called King Uncaged, when the drug charges were brought up and a new prison stint was in his future.

Before reporting to prison, T.I. finished up the album, now titled No Mercy, generally agreed to be his worst work. Where he showed continual growth from the dope boy anthems of his first album I’m Serious to the introspective and revelatory Paper Trail, No Mercy found the 30 year-old emcee stagnant and resting on his laurels. Whether it was the previous round behind bars or the prospects of the next one, something was blocking him from delivering the type of quality work he fought so hard to become known for.

Now, T.I. is in the unique position of getting a second chance at producing a huge post-prison comeback. It’s going to be difficult, as hip-hop fans are not known for being the most loyal. Hot rappers have a high turnover rate, and although T.I. has a decade long career to stand on, the next big thing is always waiting to usurp those who have been away from the game too long.

The reality show may help to keep him in the spotlight, but it’ll take music that reminds folks of why the fell in love with his southern drawl and bold proclamations to ensure he has recording career that extends past his legal troubles. As a fan, I hope for the best.