T.I. responded today after an Atlanta mayoral candidate, Felicia Moore, accused him of ruining her image. Thus leading to her loss against Mayor-Elect, Andre Dickens, this past week.
Candidate takes shots
Felicia Moore currently serves as Atlanta City Council President. She began her run for Mayor of Atlanta at the beginning of November. She claims hip hop artists and influencers, namely ‘About the Money’ rapper T.I., are to blame for her loss to Andre Dickens on Tuesday (Nov. 30).
Moore says false rumors of her shutting down popular club Magic City led to her losing the mayoral election.
Moore did an interview with TMZ yesterday (Dec. 2) where she openly addressed TI. “TI puts out a very salacious lie, just point-blank lie and misinformation, that I wanted to close down strip clubs.” Moore said. She continued with denying any plans to shut down clubs, stating her goal was only to limit the amount of recording studios opening in the Atlanta area.
Singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes III also received some heat in the interview. “Isaac Hayes III in particular I think he has some obsession with tearing me down. I feel sorry for the karma he will receive in life.” Moore stated.
Moore finished the segment with an ominous tone, saying T.I. should “learn to stay out of politics”.
A false claim
Consequently, these claims may get the Atlanta City Council President into some hot water, as it’s been revealed T.I. and Hayes only reposted the misinformation. The pair did not create the rumors themselves. Former Mayor, Kasim Reed, shared with TMZ that it is indeed, fake news.
Former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed says fake news about strip clubs didn't cost Felicia Moore the mayoral election. https://t.co/evFqMWHrQz
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 3, 2021
On Monday (Nov. 29) T.I. posted a screenshot containing a headline reading: “Woman Running For Atlanta Mayor Promises To CLOSE ALL STRIP CLUBS!!!”
“If you’re a club owner, a bartender, a dancer, promoter, valet driver, or just a visitor who subscribes to the culture of this city… understand that OUR LIVELIHOODS & WAYS OF LIFE is being threatened. I’d hate for you to wake up tomorrow and your destiny now rests in the hands of people who could care less about your concerns or best interests… THE TIME IS NOW‼️” he typed. See Instagram post
T.I and Hayes respond
Hayes, upon hearing the interview took to Atlanta radio station v103 to clear his name.
I’ll be on @V103Atlanta at 7:20 to talk about this. 🤣 Let’s get to the facts. pic.twitter.com/OiFAeFMNJj
— Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) December 2, 2021
After The Family Hustle star watched the interview, he went live on Instagram to verbally condemn the politician. During the live stream T.I. said Moore is “not fit” for the position. By the same token, he referred to her as “out of touch”, and criticized the lack of one on one interaction with Southwest citizens of Atlanta.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lrYEYRZujQ
T.I. left one sentiment that many Atlanta natives have been voicing since the mayoral election began. “You lost sight of one thing. The creatives in this city, we run this town.”
While Moore has yet to respond to T.I. or Hayes, one thing is clear. The voice of the hip-hop community has a profound impact on politics. Undoubtedly, it is prevalent now more than ever.
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Dreema Carrington|IG @dr3amgirl79|Twitter @notdreema