T.I. Feels Ice Cube Deserves ‘The Benefit Of His Reputation’
Rapper T.I. believes that people should give Ice Cube the benefit of the doubt after widespread criticism over the West Coast rapper’s controversial interaction with the Trump administration.
Cube has been under fire over the last few days after one of Trump’s senior advisors claimed the West Coast rapper was working with the administration to develop Trump’s Platinum Plan. Cube later explained that he reached out to both Democrats and Republicans. He met with Republican leadership and discussed his Contract WIth Black America, which included a $500 billion cash infusion into the Black community (which later showed up on Trump’s plan). Democrats pledged to meet and discuss Cube’s platform after the election.
The former N.W.A. rapper has since clarified his discussions with the Trump Administration, saying he only met with them to talk about the Contract, but he has continued to be scrutinized.
T.I. appeared on Sway’s Universe on Sunday (October 18) where he was asked about his thoughts on the situation around the 14-minute mark of the conversation. While he acknowledged that the Trump administration’s intentions may not be genuine, his stance was that Cube shouldn’t be scrutinized right off the bat for working with them given his track record. The Atlanta rapper noted Cube clarified he has not endorsed either presidential candidate.
He went on to comment that the Democratic Party chose not to act on Cube’s offer to partner on his Contract for Black America while the Republicans did. “If you have a bipartisan initiative [and] you give both sides the opportunity to be involved to add input to this initiative for the greater good of your people, and only one side responds, that's not Cube’s fault.”
“What you have to do is give Cube the benefit of his reputation,” he continued. “If we ain't never known, or seen, or caught Cube on no b*lls**t. Doing no tap dancing and bending over backward for no White Supremacist, why you think he gon' get started right now 35, 40 years in. Why?”
Later in the interview, T.I. revealed that Trump’s campaign team reached out to him through Polow Da Don to meet in Atlanta. While he was vehemently against Trump, the Grand Hustle chief wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea. However, he did have one condition.
“The only way I’m gonna do that is if [Trump] comes to my studio, sit down and do Expeditiously, so everybody can hear our discussion, then I’d do it,” Tip issued.
Check out the rest of the 44-minute conversation below
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