Ludacris & Co. Rally for Martin

Martin, flanked by political and musical supporters at the state capitol, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Democratic Senate candidate Jim Martin got a boost from Atlanta's self-declared "hip-hop royalty" on the eve of the runoff race against opponent, Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss.

Veteran Democratic Party officials including Congressman John Lewis, state Democratic Party Chair Jane Kidd, and numerous others crowded the stage, taking turns rallying the crowd of several hundred supporters.


Rapper Ludacris called on the crowd to go and vote Tuesday morning for Democratic Senate candidate Jim Martin, at a rally on the steps of the capitol, Monday, Dec., 1, 2008. (Dave Bender)

Braving chilly weather, Martin was joined on a stage set up on the steps of the capitol, by a bevy of acclaimed rappers including Ludacris and T.I (Clifford Harris).

Click here for more GPB News election coverage.

Students plan another political rap song

Some Georgia middle schoolers famous for a rap song about voting plan to come back with another song. 7th graders at Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta became a YouTube sensation by changing the words to local rapper T.I's song "Whatever You Like" to "You Can Vote However You Like." Now, they are working on a new song that spells out what they'd like to see President-elect Barack Obama accomplish while he is President.

(Associated Press)

Mom of T.I.'s sons wants court-ordered support

The mother of two of T.I.'s children has sued the platinum-selling rapper for child support, saying she is having a hard time supporting the boys and now wants a court-ordered
arrangement for payment.

Lashon Dixon and T.I. have known each other since they were teenagers and dated before he reached megastar status. They have two sons together, ages 7 and 8.

Dixon says T.I. currently gives her about $2,000 a month to care for the boys, but now she wants to schedule a more stable stipend that is commensurate with his success. Both parties appeared in Fulton County Superior Court on Thursday.

In March, T.I. is expected to be sentenced to at least a year in prison after he pleaded guilty to federal weapon possession charges.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of this story.

(The Associated Press)

Jailed rapper faces Friday hearing

Clifford Harris (Vibe)
Grammy-winning Atlanta rapper T.I. -- otherwise known as Clifford Harris -- will remain in an Atlanta jail at least until Friday, when a bond hearing will be held.

Undercover Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents arrested Harris, an already convicted felon, when his bodyguard tried to buy machine guns and silencers from an undercover agent in a parking lot.

ATF agent Vanessa McLemore, says the sting should serve as a warning to others:

“Any arrest based on the extent of these firearms charges should serve as a wakeup call to any current or future firearms defendant, regardless of your name, your age, your race, profession or socio-economic status.”

Prosecutors want Harris held without bond until his trial, possibly months away.

Click here for previous GPB News coverage of the Harris case, and here for more reports about gun crime.