T.I. to Resume Tour Next Week

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

T.I. will resume his national tour on Tuesday (May 9th) at the House Of Blues in New Orleans. The rapper and his entire Grand Hustle family are still dealing with the shooting death of T.I.'s personal assistant Philant Johnson, who was killed early Wednesday morning (May 3rd) following an after-party at Cincinnati's Club Ritz. Johnson, who was 26, was killed when shots rang out on Cincinnati's Interstate I-75. According to published reports, a beef began between T.I.'s entourage and members of the audience at Club Ritz when money was being thrown from the stage into the audience. The beef spilled over into the street, where T.I. attempted to diffuse the situation. Witnesses said a sports utility vehicle followed the rapper's two-van convoy from Club Ritz and opened fire on the highway. Johnson was killed, and a driver and bodyguard were treated for minor injuries and released, while a woman remains hospitalized. T.I. wasn't hurt during the incident.

Atlantic Records issued a statement in regards to Johnson's death that read, "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."

No arrests have been made in the case.