The Untold Story Behind T.I.'s Arrest | Alfamega
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Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Alfamega was first arrested at 9 years old for stealing a box of Twinkies.
- ❖He was charged with possession and trafficking of 'snow' at 13, leading to his mother's arrest after she shot at the woman who tricked him.
- ❖Alfamega served three years in state prison at 17 for robbery and later 92 months in federal prison for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
- ❖He specialized in robbing other robbers, gaining a reputation for retrieving stolen goods for a fee.
- ❖During his federal sentence, he was pressured by 'shot callers' in prison to lie in court against another inmate to avoid further charges against himself.
- ❖While incarcerated, he met influential figures like 'Freeway' Rick Ross and Mike Tacetta (a white supremacist and capo in the mob) who became his cellmate and mentor.
- ❖He secured a record deal with Universal Records after being released, facilitated by a mentor from prison and a $5,000 'hotness' test for Beanie Sigel.
- ❖Alfamega joined T.I.'s Grand Hustle as an artist and 'the muscle' through a handshake deal, performing on tours and recording music.
- ❖When T.I. faced a federal gun case, public rumors falsely accused Alfamega of being the informant, leading T.I. to publicly cut ties with him.
- ❖T.I. received a lenient sentence of a year and a day for a serious federal gun charge, which Alfamega and his attorney found suspicious, implying cooperation.
- ❖The public fallout with T.I. caused Alfamega to fall into a deep depression, losing his career and income, which he views as a 'hit' on his livelihood.
Insights
1Early Life and Criminality
Alfamega's upbringing in Atlanta's Techwood Projects exposed him to crime from a young age. His first arrest was at 9 for stealing Twinkies, followed by a charge of possession and trafficking of 'snow' at 13. He describes a pattern of escalating criminal activity, including robbing other robbers, which led to multiple incarcerations in state and federal prisons.
Alfamega recounts, 'First time I got arrested I was 9 years old. I got arrested for stealing a box of Twinkies.' and 'I got arrested when I was 13 for possession and trafficking of snow.' He also states, 'I was basically a robber. I used to rob robbers.'
2Prison Dynamics and Forced Cooperation
His time in federal prison revealed a complex hierarchy where 'shot callers' (powerful inmates) could manipulate the legal system. Alfamega was compelled to lie in court against another inmate to avoid being indicted on additional charges, illustrating the pressures and dangers within the prison system.
He details a meeting in prison where 'the dudes who running the streets, the shot callers did this' and told him, 'need you to lie on him.' He complied, stating, 'I went to the I went down in the I went to the court, lied on the dude.'
3Entry into the Music Industry and T.I. Partnership
After his release, Alfamega leveraged prison connections to enter the music industry. He secured a record deal with Universal and later joined T.I.'s Grand Hustle, forming a handshake agreement where he was 'the muscle' and an artist. This period saw him gain significant traction and financial success.
Alfamega mentions, 'I was off the record deal with Beanie Seagull and Jay-Z.' and 'I got my first deal with Universal Records.' He describes his arrangement with T.I.: 'We did a handshake deal. You the king. I'm the muscle.'
4The T.I. Fallout and Public Betrayal
T.I.'s federal gun case led to public rumors that Alfamega was a snitch, despite T.I. knowing the truth. T.I. publicly disavowed Alfamega, which Alfamega views as a devastating betrayal that destroyed his career and mental well-being. He highlights the suspicious leniency of T.I.'s sentence (a year and a day for serious federal gun charges) as evidence of cooperation.
Alfamega states, 'My name gets caught up. Here I go. My name gets caught up in the mix of this. I have nothing to do with his case.' and 'The public perception was that you set him up even though he knows that's not the case. But he won't come out and say it to the public.' He also notes, 'He gets a year and a day. You don't get a year and a day. No, it's not possible like that for something like that.'
Lessons
- Understand the long-term consequences of street credibility and how past actions, even if coerced, can impact future opportunities.
- Recognize the power of public perception in the entertainment industry; unaddressed rumors can be more damaging than actual facts.
- Cultivate genuine relationships and seek direct communication to resolve conflicts, especially when reputations are at stake.
Notable Moments
Alfamega's cellmate in federal prison was Mike Tacetta, a white supremacist and mob capo, who became his mentor.
This unexpected pairing highlights the complex and often contradictory relationships that can form in extreme environments like prison, where shared experiences can transcend racial and ideological divides, and even lead to mentorship.
Alfamega's attorney expressed shock at T.I.'s lenient sentence (a year and a day for a federal gun case), suggesting it was only possible through cooperation.
This moment underscores the attorney's professional insight into the justice system, implying T.I. likely cooperated with authorities, which is a significant violation of street code and explains the public fallout with Alfamega.
Alfamega's attempt to reconcile with T.I. at a public event, asking for $20 to 'see if you still messing with me,' was misunderstood as a shakedown.
This interaction reveals the deep emotional chasm and communication breakdown between the two, where a symbolic gesture of friendship was misinterpreted due to their strained relationship and public scrutiny.
Quotes
"The public perception was that you set him up even though he knows that's not the case. But he won't come out and say it to the public."
"I was basically a robber. I used to rob robbers."
"You don't get a year and a day. No, it's not possible like that for something like that."
"You really castrated me. And when you castrated me, it's like you castrated my kids also cuz you took the how we eat, how I feed my family."
Q&A
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