T.I. Blasts Likely Atlanta Mayoral Candidate’s Attempt To Place Restrictions On Recording Studios

Current Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore is getting ready to make a run at winning the mayor’s office, according to the AJC. However, Moore already appears to have some influential people doubting whether she is the best person to run the city.

Tip “T.I.” Harris took to Instagram to share his thoughts about Moore. He posted a screenshot of a 2017 WABE article that covered how the former District 9 City Council member failed at trying to tightened restrictions on new recording studios in Atlanta which would have required the studios to have a special use permit and be located at least 300 feet from residential areas.

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The musician/actor/businessman wrote on Instagram:

Excuse me Mrs @feliciamooreatl but … Our Culture Runs This Town Ma’am!! These studios (& the creatives that work in em) have laid foundation & paved ways to create opportunities for this city like nothing else could. Yeah we might get loud, no we not perfect, but we’ve contributed to this city’s culture & economic growth, consistently…for decades!!! Our contributions to the communities here in this city have gone overlooked far too long. We’ve been on the front line making a difference in this city (in ways nobody else in politics would) even before Hollywood found us attractive. That’s right…Before the filming industry moved to town we’ve BEEN making an economic impact yet the film studios receive all the tax benefits, rebates &considerations. And not just us rappers & artists… within the culture there’s a host of producers, engineers, art directors, event planners, club & studio designers, radio personalities, A&Rs, DJ’s, dancers, promoters, & club owners who’ve put ALL OUR HEART & SOUL into making this city what it is TODAY!! Put some respect on that please & thanks. #DontPlayWitUs #ByeFelicia

Incumbent Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms seems poised to run for reelection this year. Campaign finance records reveal she already has more than $100,000 on hand. Bottoms and Moore served together on the Atlanta City Council from 2010 to 2018.

Last year, Bottoms became a national figure during the Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality. She was often mentioned as a contender for the Vice President slot on Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential ticket. Then-Senator Kamala Harris was eventually picked as Biden’s running mate.

T.I. backed Bottoms in Atlanta’s 2017 mayoral race. He later joined her official transition team. The Grand Hustle co-founder, along with fellow ATL-bred Hip Hop artist Killer Mike, joined Mayor Bottoms at a May 2020 press conference where they called on residents of Atlanta not to be violent in response to the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and other Black citizens.