February 15, 2007 @ 10:52 am
VIBE 150: T.I.
When New York City-based writer Erica Kennedy flew to Atlanta to interview then aspiring rapper T.I. for VIBE's Next section (November 2001), she was struck by his townhouse's dorm-like disarray and makeshift decor.
"It was a mess," Kennedy recalls. "There was no furniture. All his clothes were piled in a corner."
Kennedy later discovered T.I. shared the residence with about five of the original Grand Hustle label employees. But more than six years later, T.I., now 26, isn't one to pass the blame. "Those were still all my clothes," he says. "I always had more clothes than places to put them."
While riding shotgun around Atlanta in 2001, Kennedy sized up the seemingly serene rapper. She got a taste of his now infamous temper when she casually asked his government name; T.I. refused to answer. "He got really upset about it," she says. T.I., named Clifford Harris after his late father, has an explanation: "When I say my name, I think about a 66-year-old man."
He also made clear to Kennedy that he would become "King of the South." With two platinum albums - 2004's Urban Legend and 2006's King (both Atlantic)—under his belt, T.I. now laughs at his own audaciousness. "That whole shit was a dare," he says of the "king" comment. According to T.I., the joke started when he was working on his debut, I'm Serious (Arista, 2001), alongside then LaFace Records A&R Kawan "K.P." Prather. T.I. and K.P. were studying the debut albums of Jay-Z, Tupac Shakur, and The Notorious B.I.G. in hopes of delivering a comparable album.
"I said, If I meet these expectations, I'm going to be king of this shit," T.I. recalls. "KP said, 'I bet you won't say it in public,' and I said, Watch me." Back then, T.I., fresh-faced and cocky, told Kennedy his only fear was failure. Now, he's left fear in the past. "Fear comes from not knowing," T.I. says. "I'm on my fifth album, so it's not a fear now - it's preventive maintenance."
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Previous: Alison HindsPage printed from:
http://www.vibe.com/music/next/2007/02/vibe_150_ti/
Comments
1.
THEHERO says:
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Da Backwudz are now..
LABRATZ!!
Former Rowdy Records act Da Backwudz, have left Dallas Austin’s camp to form the four man super group LABRATZ , and are set to release their first project on upstart label Royal Family Music. The former Rowdy signees site business and creative differences for their departure and were eager to find some like minds to spread their creative wings. They found that with long time Decatur homeboys and collaborators Heavy Slim and G-Wiz. The final piece to the puzzle appeared upon meeting super producer Sol Messiah (Chamillionaire, David Banner) who is also the co-founder of Royal Family Music. LABRATZ and Sol Messiah got right to work on the soon to be classic ATLANTIS RISING . The project has two guest appearances featuring Dead Prez and Nappy Roots. The rest of the album is an exclusive collaboration between LABRATZ and Sol Messiah. LABRATZ have the southern artistic stylings of an Outkast, along with a musical and lyrical assault likened to Wu Tang Clan. Still, LABRATZ has a style all of its own and they are destined to start a movement. Limited edition cds have hit the streets and select tracks have started an internet buzz. If you want to find out more about LABRATZ, check out www.myspace.com/thelabratzmusic and send all messages to thelabratz@gmail.com .
LABRATZ members are:
Big Marc (aka Leon Rothstein)
Sho Nuff (aka Marty McFly)
Heavy Slim
G-Wiz
*Sol Messiah (honorary member)
December 16, 2007 at 5:48 pm
2.
ladyleo says:
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HEY BOOBOO WHATS THE DEAL DOWN THERE IN THE SOUTH? I CANT WAIT TO COME OUT WITH A NEW ALBUM. AMERICAN GANGSTER IS MY MOVIE I WATCH IT EVERYDAY I COME FROM WORK JUST BECAUSE YOU IN IT. YA DIG?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THATS CRAZY HOW THEY JUST GOING TO HATE LIKE THAT A FRAMED YOU FOR THEM GUNZ BEING IN YOUR CRIB. BUT TELL THEM WHAT YOU SAID AT THE AWARDS "YOU CAN KEEP HATING BUT YOU ONLY WASTING YOUR TIME".
December 13, 2007 at 12:02 pm
3.
Paradice2007 says:
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Tip, Tip, Hooray!!!
new smilez & southstar!!! "What U Know" download it now!!! http://www.sendspace.com/file/z8i98p
November 27, 2007 at 4:22 pm
4.
alicia says:
I love me some ti and his girl is the luckies girl in the world iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii lllllllllllloooooooovvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee him. i remember when he was on a group out of atl called co-ed ti was on their single roll wit me.
June 20, 2007 at 2:03 pm
5.
ANHTONY BERKLEY says:
THATS MY BROTHER
June 1, 2007 at 8:15 am
6.
EBONY says:
HEY,BOO IT'S ME EBONY WIFEY!
April 1, 2007 at 7:39 pm
7.
EBONY says:
I'AMY A BIG FAN I HAVE A DOG NAME TIP
March 30, 2007 at 8:48 am
8.
EBONY says:
YES,I CALL MY SELF MRS.HARRIS AKA BIG EBONY
March 30, 2007 at 8:45 am
9.
EBONY says:
HI, BOO I WILL MERRY U TOO!
March 30, 2007 at 8:43 am
10.
EBONY says:
I NEED SO KING AND MY LIFE SO!HOT
March 30, 2007 at 8:41 am
11.
E says:
SEXY!BABY I LOVE U EBONY
March 30, 2007 at 8:39 am
12.
EBONY says:
HEY,BOO TOO!TOO!HOT!HOT
March 30, 2007 at 8:36 am
13.
EBONY says:
SO!SO!SO!SO!SO!SO!HOT!
March 30, 2007 at 8:34 am
14.
EBONY says:
I LOVE! THE KING, ATL
March 30, 2007 at 8:33 am
15.
EBONY says:
ATL,KING IS BACK THE BEST RAP AKA TI
March 30, 2007 at 8:31 am
16.
EBONY says:
I LOVE U KING! IT'S EBONY&TI
March 30, 2007 at 8:29 am
17.
SHABOOBEE says:
SHABOOBEE&TI LOVE!LOVE!LOVE!LOVE! LOVE!U BOO!
March 30, 2007 at 8:26 am
18.
EBONY says:
TIP,ALLDAY BABY I JUST LOVE U
March 30, 2007 at 8:24 am
19.
EBONY says:
HI,KING WISH I CAN SEE U SOME DAY ARE MAY BE GOODTIME OK I RELLY LOVE U TIP EBONY&TI 9STOP ALLDAY
March 30, 2007 at 8:22 am
20.
EBONY says:
HEY'KING I LOVE U ALLDAY LONG BOO! HUG!KISS AND MORE
March 30, 2007 at 8:17 am
21.
Keisha says:
SEXY!!!!
March 26, 2007 at 9:41 am
22.
Amber says:
I LOVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YOU T.I. AND i AM GOING TO YOUR NEXT CONCERT TRUST AND BELIEVE.
March 23, 2007 at 9:25 am
23.
Canishia Njoku says:
I LOVE T.I. i dont know him personally so i cant say I love evrything about him..I love his music..he is sooooo sexy!!
March 16, 2007 at 8:32 pm
24.
Pait3nc3 says:
T.I.~ I am one of your biggest fans!!! I know all of your songs, I have all of your CDs, your even one of my friends on MySpace! I know all the parts to ATL too! Damn! if you only knew just how SEXY you are!!! I hope that you dont get married anytime soon so I can have a chance, but if you do then she better be looking her best cuz thats what you deserve! well thats all for now but I'll see you in the ATL!
Much Love,
Patience
March 13, 2007 at 2:06 pm
25.
paris says:
tip harris is mi baby im his biggest fan he sooooo sexy i love his song live in da sky boy o boy i wont to marry t.i i got every thing about t.i love ya girl the biggest fan paris ....bye
February 25, 2007 at 1:13 pm
26.
torri says:
t.i i love u and yo songz im pne of your biggest fans love always torri..
February 25, 2007 at 1:09 pm
27.
victoria says:
tip harris is the best
February 25, 2007 at 10:47 am
28.
victoria says:
waasup all you t.i lovers
February 25, 2007 at 10:44 am
29.
victoria says:
i love t.i tip harris
February 25, 2007 at 10:34 am
30.
Alexandria Renee' White says:
Clifford what can i say!! Trust me i know every song on your cd's and ive read every story that has been written in the tabloids i never believed al of it i knew what was true and what wasnt i support you and i hope you get wherever it is that you are trying to go I wish you all the luck in the world
Much love,
Alex
February 23, 2007 at 6:29 pm
31.
bria benton says:
I LOVE U IN I DONT WANT U TO GET MARRY
February 17, 2007 at 1:48 pm