Jason Geter and T.I.
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/ Getty Images

Police are investigating two bottles filled with an unknown liquid suspected of being Molotov cocktails that were tossed at the offices of Grand Hustle Records in Atlanta.

Jason Geter, who runs the label with T.I., told MTV News exclusively that an alarm went off between 2:30 and 3 a.m. Thursday (November 19) at the office. The Grand Hustle staff discovered that one of the office windows had been cracked after someone had tossed a "40-ounce bottle" at it.

Police have not named any suspects, but Geter and company have their own ideas of who the culprit could be. An aspiring artist came knocking at their door earlier this week.

"A kid came over there a couple of days ago that acted kind of crazy," Geter explained. "I wasn't there, but some kid that was a little off was pretty much asking for somebody to come to his party. He got a little irate when he was in the office. We're kind of assuming it was him. He made a couple of threats when he was in the office. Two days later, this happens. You can't help but say, 'It must have been this idiot.' "

The incident has not stopped Geter or his staff from working. Business went on as usual (with the exception of news trucks and reporters), and no one seems to fear for their safety.

"It wasn't that big of a deal to us," Geter said. "But, of course, 50 million people were calling us, which is all good, because they're concerned. But at the same time, we're trying to work and stay focused on the business."

Geter's focus is the launch of Young Dro's new LP, P.O.L.O. (Players Only Live Once). His album will be the start of Hustle's grand attack in 2010.

"It's gonna be Dro, 8Ball and MJG, Drama is putting his thing together, B.O.B. is coming out," Geter said. "From January to springtime, those acts will be dropping."

Of course, T.I. is always aware of what's going on. Geter said his longtime friend and business partner is doing well while serving his year-and-a-day prison sentence. "He's good. He's taking it day by day and ready to get back at it. I think he's really focused on doing his time, more so than anything," Geter said when asked if Tip has been writing.

Police did not return MTV News' calls about the incident at Grand Hustle by press time.

• MTV News RAW: T.I.

• T.I.

T.I. and Tiny
Photo: BET

In addition to getting his career back on track, T.I. apparently has one more thing to look forward to when he's released from prison next summer: a wedding. Tip's longtime girlfriend, former Xscape singer Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, with whom he has two children, recently told XXL magazine that she is planning a "fairy-tale" wedding to the King of the South when he gets sprung.

Cottle, who has reemerged since T.I.'s incarceration on federal weapons charges thanks to her co-starring role in the hit BET reality show "Tiny & Toya," said the blessed event is scheduled for 2010. "Sometime [next] year, but we can't really give a date yet because we have to find out exactly when Tip is coming home," she said. "We'll have to just plan around that, but I envision a fairy-tale wedding."

Though she did not appear to address it in the interview, there were rumors that the couple had already tied the knot just before T.I. reported to prison in May.

Tiny said she keeps in touch with T.I. via daily e-mails, and they speak to each other on the phone several times a day in addition to her weekly visits. And given that her co-star Antonia "Toya" Carter's baby daddy Lil Wayne is headed off to prison soon as well, Tiny said she's been full of advice for her pal. "She's seen me go through it. She's been there for me, and I'll be there for her," she said. "We'll just be supportive; I'll be there whenever she needs me."

Luckily for Tiny, she hasn't had to do much explaining to her and T.I.'s toddler children about their father's absence. "Tip did all the explaining, and he did a great job," she said. "He spoke to his kids about him leaving, why or what they could expect."

In addition to spilling the beans on the upcoming nuptials, Tiny also revealed that there might be a musical union in the couple's future as well. "Well, we did one song and we just never really got back in the studio, but I can't say that you won't hear anything in the future," she said. "I don't want to give it out yet; I want to hold it to make sure we go in that direction. We have several things that we're talking about doing together, so we'll see how that works out."

• T.I.

Gucci Mane

One day after he was sentenced to 12 months in jail for violating his probation, Gucci Mane's video for "Worst Enemy" hit the Internet. The video is for the latest single from his forthcoming — and now all-too-appropriately titled — LP, The State vs. Radric Davis.

In the clip, Gucci wears all black and performs the pensive song. Special effects of television screens show various moments from Gucci's life, such as him on the mic early in his career, and his sentencing last year for probation violation.

"I'm my best friend and I'm my worst enemy," he raps on the record, which addresses both Young Jeezy and T.I. "And no one else can hurt me unless I let them/ Is you feelin' me?/ And misery loves company and I had my share of misery/ No mystery, my infamy got me in hip-hop history/ First Tupac died then Biggie died/ And it crazily impacted me."

In his verses, Gucci goes on to dole out his thoughts on his tumultuous relationship with both Tip (stemming from his T.I. dis song "What Kind of King") and the Snowman, with whom he's feuded for years.

"I wouldn't hurt a girl on purpose 'cause I feel they don't deserve it/ I admit my words can hurt, I dissed Tiny she didn't deserve it," he rapped, expressing remorse for his disparaging comments about T.I.'s fiancée in "What Kind of King."

"Me, Jeezy and T.I share one thing in common," Gucci adds. "Role model to young people, though at times man we still ignore it/ And y'all gonna owe respect to me and I don't like apologies/ Just dis me till you satisfied/ I swear it doesn't bother me ... Insults only show the world how y'all respecting me."

In an interview that hit the Internet Wednesday, Gucci told radio personality Miss Info that he had no more time to beef with artists.

"Growing up," he said of the song's inspiration. "Growth — musically and as a person. I feel like I owed it to my fans. There's a lot of die-hard fans that have been writing me, praying for me. I gave it to them ... What anybody else does, doesn't stop my serenity. I'm good."

• Gucci Mane
• T.I.
• Young Jeezy

T.I.
Photo: Moses Robinson/ Getty Images

T.I. is still keeping an eye on things while serving his year-and-a-day prison sentence for felony weapons charges. On Wednesday, Ludacris tweeted that he spoke to his fellow Atlanta heavyweight.

Luda's messages reveal that Tip is keeping up on current events and feels for his peers Lil Wayne and Lil Boosie, who both have to go to prison at the top of their careers, much like Tip has had to do.

"Talking to TIP," Luda tweeted. "He says to tell Wayne and Boosie he Hates the situations y'all are in, but he's ridin' with the both of you."

'Cris added that Tip had a message for the kids in the Windy City in the wake of the Derrion Albert murder: "TIP also says to all my Chicago peoples, cut out all that damn nonsense!!! Sh-- has got to STOP!!!!!! I 2nd that!!!"

The 16-year-old Albert was killed in the streets of Chicago several weeks ago while trying to break up a fight. The tragedy was captured on cell phone video and posted on the Internet, horrifying viewers. The Reverend Jesse Jackson and Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan both attended Albert's funeral earlier this month.

Tip had a chance to speak out publicly through fiancée Tameka "Tiny" Cottle during the recent BET Hip-Hop Awards. The King of the South reassured fans he would be home soon. Tip also won Best Hip-Hop Collabo and Best Hip-Hop Video for "Live Your Life" with Rihanna and CD of the Year for Paper Trail.

• MTV News RAW: T.I.

• T.I.
• Ludacris
• Lil Wayne

Philant Johnson and T.I. in 2004
Photo: Ray Tamarra/ Getty Images

An Ohio man pleaded guilty to manslaughter and other charges as an accomplice in the 2006 slaying of a T.I. associate, according to The Associated Press.

Padron Thomas, 41, struck a deal with prosecutors, agreeing to testify against his younger brother, Hosea Thomas, the shooter, in exchange for lesser charges. The elder Thomas was originally facing a murder rap, but after pleading guilty, he will now be sentenced for manslaughter instead.

Thomas drove the car that was involved in the May 2006 shooting that killed Philant Johnson and injured three others. Thomas and his brother were in a skirmish with T.I. and his entourage after the rapper performed in Cincinnati and partied afterward at a local nightclub. The Atlanta superstar directed his crew to leave the venue in the wake of the scuffle, but a group of men followed them and began firing shots at the vehicles carrying the rapper and his camp.

Hosea Thomas was later found guilty of murder and several counts of assault and sentenced to 66 years in prison.

His fate was sealed via damaging testimony from Padron. It was the second time Hosea was sent to jail for publicly firing a gun. The first time occurred nearly 15 years ago in 1992, when Thomas shot wildly into a crowd during a bar fight and wounded a pregnant woman. The woman testified against Thomas after giving birth prematurely as a result of her injuries. He spent eight years in prison for the incident.

Padron Thomas is scheduled for sentencing in his case November 17. He is already serving 17 years in federal prison on separate drug charges. Thomas is expected to be sentenced to 10 years as part of his plea deal.

• T.I.

T.I. in his video for "Hell Of A Life"
Photo: Grand Hustle

Even behind bars, T.I. is living a "Hell of a Life."

The incarcerated rapper's latest video premiered on Monday (October 5) and continues the prison theme set forth by his last video, "Remember Me," featuring Mary J. Blige. That video, which was to be the first single from the proposed Paper Trail reissue that was later shelved, was released just after Tip began his sentence and opened with the Atlanta rapper in an orange jail-issued jumpsuit.

"Hell of a Life" is similar, with Tip donning his prison duds early in the clip. But while "Remember Me" struck a more somber tone, "Hell of a Life" is celebratory. After the rapper enters prison, the Erik White-directed video flashes back 24 hours. Tip is shown all alone in a bedroom-like setting watching his career highlights on a flat-screen TV.

"Beamers, Bentleys, double Rs, Ferraris/ Every time I seen shorty, 'Where you headed tonight?'/ Selling out arenas, chicks with asses like Serena/ Man, shorty live a hell of a life, I'm tryna tell them," T.I. raps on the track's chorus.

The video is interwoven with performance clips as T.I. travels from the isolated bedroom to cruising around town in a Rolls Royce filled with bikini-clad women. A club scene ensues before Tip's time is up, and he finds himself beginning his prison sentence. There's a shot of a calendar with a red X across one of its days, and then the video ends with "To be continued."

Perhaps it's a nod to Tip's next album. The rapper revealed prior to beginning his real jail stint that his follow-up to Paper Trail will be dedicated to life after his trial. The rapper was sentenced to one year and one day in prison after illegally attempting to purchase firearms in Atlanta.

"The celebration, putting these things behind me and moving forward," Tip told MTV News in April about the direction of his next album, scheduled for a 2010 release. "Showcasing a new resilience, you know? Laughing in these suckers' faces. I'm going to get back to some of the old elements that put me on people's minds."

• T.I.

Beyoncé at the 2007 VMAs
Photo: Jon Kopaloff/ Getty Images

We can only imagine what Lady Gaga will wear to the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday. So, until Gaga sets foot on the red carpet and onstage in one of her typically eye-popping getups, it's time to look back on some of the greatest outfits other nominees and performers wore at VMAs in the past few years.

Pink dressed in all black for the 2006 VMAs. Her chic, high-waisted pinstripe pants paired with a see-through blouse were girly enough but still edgy thanks to heavy eye makeup and a nose ring.

	Best Of VMA Red-Carpet Fashion

Beyoncé looked like a goddess in 2007, showing off her curves in a gold gown with a thigh-high slit and a neckline that revealed just enough of her décolletage. She finished off the glamorous look with a high ponytail, big earrings and lots of bangles.

Hot pink never looked hotter or hugged anyone's body better than when Rihanna stepped onto the red carpet in 2007. With just a few blond streaks in her hair and her barely there makeup, RiRi made quite a fashion statement.

Of course there are also the guys who have definitely left their marks on the red carpet. In 2007, the two guys that stood out were Kanye West and T.I. Tip arrived at the Las Vegas show in a silver suit that Dean Martin would have loved. Kanye opted for a black tuxedo jacket and paired it with casual black pants and high-top black sneakers.

Katy Perry, who is nominated this year for her video for "Hot N Cold," showed the world her signature vintage look in 2008 with beige satin hot pants, a star-patterned halter top, feather wristband and hot-pink shoes. She capped off the throwback look with pin curls and red lipstick.

That same year, Taylor Swift made her VMA debut. The country superstar, who is nominated for Best Female Video in 2009 for "You Belong With Me," shined bright in a sequined gold dress and her curly blond locks. The look definitely proved that she belonged as the night's fashion correspondent.

Britney Spears re-emerged at the Princess of Pop in 2008 and looked like a trophy herself in her glittery metallic dress with flapper details on the hem. Miley Cyrus decided to go Roman when she went to the VMAs in 2008. In her slate-colored, beaded sheath dress, Miley kept it young and fresh by pairing it with platform shoes, a belt and just a tiny necklace.

Thanks to shades of nude, pink, silver and white the Pussycat Dolls glammed up the 2008 red carpet. They (thankfully) weren't wearing matching outfits, but each girl picked a dress that seemed to best fit their personality.

Watch the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards Preshow this Sunday, September 13, at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the big event, live at 9 p.m. Check out our interactive map of New York to see how the city is celebrating the VMAs all week long, and stay tuned for party coverage, concert reports, behind-the-scenes updates and more.

• VMA 2009: The Entire Show On Demand
• The 2009 VMAs Are Taking Over NYC!

• Best Of VMA Red-Carpet Fashion

• Beyoncé
• Pink
• Taylor Swift
• Katy Perry
• T.I.

50 Cent
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

On Thursday (August 20), former Super Bowl hero and New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty to weapons-possession charges. When he's sentenced September 22, it looks like he'll be given two years in prison as part of his plea bargain.

And that's not the end of his problems. There is still no word on how long the free agent will be suspended from the NFL when he gets out of jail or even if a team will want to invest money into a contract with him once he's free. Being a huge New York Giants fan, I've been sick over the situation ever since Plaxico accidentally shot himself in the leg last year while concealing his weapon in his pants. Yes, Plax showed poor judgment, which he's paid for dearly, losing his $30 million-plus contract with one of the best franchises in the NFL, and now he has to go to jail and his career is in jeopardy.

However, one thing myself and my partner Rahman Dukes spoke about when assessing this plain sad situation is how the general public and some mainstream news outlets are quick to vilify and pass judgment on high-profile stars such as Burress or even T.I.

The professional athlete and the MC are intertwined in so many ways, from the way they can bring an arena full of people to their feet on command, to the similar environments they grew up in. Unfortunately, they also share well-publicized problems with the law. We don't know exactly why Plax was armed that night. Maybe he was concerned for his personal safety like T.I. was. We just feel like, in the end, people shouldn't assume that all athletes or rappers from certain backgrounds are going to be in some type of legal trouble at a certain point in their careers.

50 Cent — who the New York Post referred to as a "bullet magnet" three days ago — has caught so much flak in the press lately because of his planned "40 Day" gathering in his old neighborhood on August 30. Fif and the G-Unit have been talking about the positivity they are striving for while offering free food, music, big-name stars and even some professional companies coming out to the community. For all his troubles, 50 gets bashed in the press and will not even be allowed to perform for his home crowd. The situation is deep. This is definitely a conversation you will want to see.

What do you think? Have Plax, Fif and T.I. gotten a fair shake, or have they been unnecessarily vilified? Weigh in below, or make your voice heard on Your.MTV.com!

• Off The Dome: Eminem, 50 Cent

• 50 Cent
• T.I.

Alfamega
Photo: Ben Rose/ Getty Images

Things just aren't going Alfamega's way the past few months. The former T.I. affiliate was unceremoniously booted from his boss' Grand Hustle camp in May when it was revealed he had turned state's witness in the past in exchange for a lighter jail sentence. Then, following his dismissal, the husky rapper broke his leg while evading police in his home state of Georgia. He was later arrested.

In July, he attempted to reconnect with T.I. through an open letter. However, it's not known if Tip ever responded. Recently, Alfamega posted a video on YouTube alleging the documents the Smoking Gun posted that outed the rapper as a snitch were doctored. He also maintained he was younger at the time and therefore more mistake-prone.

The document-digging Web site struck back at him late Thursday night when they released the transcript of Alfamega's court testimony in which he agreed to cooperate with the government.

"Do you agree to enter a plea agreement?" a prosecutor asked the rapper. "Have you decided to cooperate with the government?"

Alfamega answered in the affirmative to both questions, according to the transcript of his testimony. Next, Alfamega identified a man as a drug dealer he had purchased large amounts of cocaine from in the past. He also offered information on other criminal associates, the transcript revealed. The rapper also disclosed that he was the father of 13 children from 13 different women.

The man Alfamega turned state's evidence against was later sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking.

T.I. himself was alleged to be a snitch when he struck a deal in his case involving his attempt to illegally purchase firearms in Atlanta on the eve of the 2007 BET Hip-Hop Awards. The rapper was facing serious jail time, but ended up being sentenced to one year and one day in prison after he completed over 1,000 hours of community service.

So when the news about Alfamega broke — who Tip featured on his single and video for 2008's "Hurt" — T.I. took to Atlanta radio and announced his onetime compatriot has been banished from the crew.

"Even though all our artists and employees are asked by us to be honest and open about their past history, at no time did Alfa disclose to me or Grand Hustle what has now appeared in the media," Tip said in the statement he read on air. "He essentially deceived us by failing to fully disclose the truth about his past, and there is no place in our organization for dishonest and misleading behavior. As I have always said, you must take responsibility for your own actions. We at Grand Hustle can not support or condone the blaming of others for our own mistakes. I hope and pray to God, bless his savings plans, but I don't foresee me or my company playing a role in his personal or professional business."

• T.I.

Soulja Boy Tell'Em in his "Turn My Swag On" music video
Photo: Interscope

With the voting for the VMA nominees underway, fans are talking about Kanye or Eminem, Slim Shady or Asher Roth, Jay-Z or T.I. The possibilities go on and on.

When it comes to debates about who is the hottest, I may know a thing or two about that. Fellow MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trustee Rahman Dukes and I sat down this week to discuss the nominations in a couple of categories for this year's Video Music Awards: Best Male Video and Best Hip-Hop Video.

The latter includes Asher Roth's "I Love College," Eminem's "We Made You," Jay-Z's "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)," Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" and Flo Rida's "Right Round." Best Male features mostly hip-hop dudes: Eminem, Jay-Z, and Kanye West for their aforementioned clips as well as T.I.'s "Live Your Life" and Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent."

While I won't spoil the video and tell you guys who we each chose, I can mention a couple of videos that we'd add to the nominees if we could.

Since Lil Wayne's "Got Money" was from last year, I'll cast my vote for Soulja's Boy "Turn My Swag On." Young'n had his game on with that video! It was lo-fi but high energy, and a very entertaining video. A young black brother (singing significantly off-key, however) getting that cream; coming from nothing to something in a major way. When he was 9 years old, Soulja swore he was gonna die for that gold.

Rahman is partial to Rick Ross' "Magnificent" video. How could you not crack a smile at seeing Ross in an ascot at the horse races? And he even brought Special Ed back for the video!

Check out the video and let us know what you think!

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards will take place September 13 at 9 p.m. ET. Nominees, celebrity presenters and additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks. To be the first to find out the inside scoop, follow the Inside MTV Twitter account at Twitter.com/InsideMTV.

• The 2009 VMA Nominations Are In!

• Soulja Boy Tell'em
• T.I.
• Jay-Z
• Asher Roth
• Eminem

2009 American Music Award Nominees

• Michael Jackson
• Lady Gaga
• Jay-Z
• Taylor Swift
• Beyoncé

Who Are The Landmarks Of The VMAs?

• Britney Spears
• Lady Gaga
• Jay-Z
• Lil Wayne
• Beyoncé

2009 VMA Nominees

• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Green Day
• Kings Of Leon
• Paramore
• Fall Out Boy

T.I. Performs At His Final Countdown Concert In Atlanta, GA

• T.I.
• Rich Kids
• 8Ball and MJG

T.I.'s "Hell Of A Life" Video Shoot

• T.I.

T.I. Holds A Press Conference After His Sentencing In Atlanta

• T.I.

2009 Grammy Awards Show

• Whitney Houston
• Justin Timberlake
• Jennifer Hudson
• U2
• Coldplay

2009 Grammy Weekend Parties

• Lil Wayne
• Rihanna
• Akon
• T.I.
• Cassie

On The Set Of DJ Drama's "Daydreamin' " Video Shoot

• DJ Drama
• T.I.
• Akon
• Snoop Dogg

T.I., Nas, Common, More At BET Inaugural Ball

• Common
• Nas
• T.I.
• Young Jeezy
• Nick Cannon