NEON This Week

Rapper T.I. stops by on way to jail

Before he's headed to jail, he's headed to Vegas -- which tends to be the reverse of how things go down in this town.

Though rapper T.I. is bound for incarceration on federal gun charges later this month, he's still on the road in the meantime. None of which should come as a surprise, as T.I. has long been defined by his resiliency as well as a cocksure, undeterred presence on the mic that manifests itself in a breezy southern drawl.

Having scored the biggest hit of his career with the crossover hip-pop smash "Whatever You Like," T.I. keeps reveling in the big time before entering the big house.

See T.I. at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Thomas & Mack Center, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Tickets range from $25-$250; call 739-3267.

-- JASON BRACELIN