T.I. – Hell Of A Life video

Directed by Erik White.

conducted by Bayer L. Mack

I’m sitting in a parking lot trying to make sense of the scribbled
notes in my lap. They’re from an interview I did earlier with some “new”
artist on Atlantic. It’s one of those interviews you do for your “friend”
at the label in order to get a big fish later. Don’t get me wrong; he
was a real cool brotha. Our conversation was broad. It shifted from his
desire to be recognized outside the South, to his relationship with his
late father and baby mama. As I sift through my chicken scratch, a song
comes on the radio. Instinctively, I begin to nod to the track’s
infectious hook and hard driving beat. I like it. Then it dawns on me. The
song on the radio is by this same guy. I think to myself, “This could be
big.”

That was August 22, 2003. The song was “24’s.” The artist was
T.I. The rest is history.

Fourteen months, four days and over a million albums later, the
self-proclaimed King of the South is calling again. He’s gotten the acceptance
and recognition he so desired. However, true to the immortal words of
the Notorious B.I.G., mo’ money brings mo’ problems, jealousy and envy.
In March of this year, T.I. was incarcerated because of various open
court cases. It was during this time that another popular southern
rapper, Lil’ Flip, reportedly began “bad mouthing” him over his “King of the
South” claims which launched a much publicized feud that has yet to be
officially squashed.

Still, through it all Clifford Harris has been hustling. The rapper
continued to record new material and release hit single after hit single.
He even filmed a video in jail. That’s what you call being on the
grind.

On November 30th, the saga will continue with the release of Urban
Legend, T.I.’s much-anticipated follow up to Trap Muzik.
Haters better mark that date on their calendar because the rubber band man
is coming for that a**.

MVRemix: Okay, let’s get these hardball questions out of the way first.
You’re legal troubles made headlines earlier this year. What’s the current
situation?

T.I.:
I handled it. Basically, as long as I stay out of trouble, I’m
straight.

MVRemix: Do you feel like people intentionally try to get at you sideways to
start something?

T.I.:
I’ve dealt with that as long as I’ve been in the game. Like Jay-Z said,
‘It’s a full time job not to kill n***as.’

MVRemix: Why did Lil’ Flip’s comments get you so upset?

T.I.: Anytime someone speak on me and don’t know me, that [is upsetting]. I
don’t speak on no other man. I live and die by respect. I’ve heard
comments about Flip and his lyrical ability for a long time, but I didn’t
speak on it. I wasn’t raised like that. Plus, why [Flip] wait until I go
to jail before he say something?

MVRemix: Well, you dropped that lethal mixtape on him so hopefully it’s water
under the bridge. Let’s switch gears. What’s on the horizon for Grand
Hu$tle?

T.I.:
P$C. That’s the Pimp Squad Committee. They’ll be in action next year.

MVRemix: Are they coming through Atlantic or…

T.I.:
Nah… they’re going to be on Grand Hu$tle all the way. We’re being
distributed through Asylum. That’s another one of the small labels in the
Warner Music Group.

MVRemix: When did you record Urban Legend?

T.I.:
I’ve been recording the entire time. This is what I do. I’m recording
the third album right now.

MVRemix: Trap Muzik had everything. You had beats from hot producers
like Jazze Pha and David Banner. What’s the biggest difference between
that album and the new joint?

T.I.:
I got Jazze Pha and David Banner on this album too. I got Scott Storch
(“Lean Back”) and the Neptunes. Diversity… that’s the major difference.

MVRemix: Releasing four music videos is unheard of for a rap artist nowadays.
Do you think you could have still worked Trap Muzik?

T.I.:
I feel you. Yeah, I could have released eight singles from that album.
See, my deal with Atlantic is 50/50. I’m in control of my budget. I
spent the same amount on four music videos as some people spend on one. I
made the “24’s” video for about seventy-five to eighty thousand dollars
instead of $200,000. “Be Easy” cost about $170,000 where most people
spend $300,000 or more on a second video.

MVRemix: Lots of rappers claim to be the CEO and running their company, but
you actually seem to be pretty hands on with Grand Hu$tle.

T.I.:
Hell, why wouldn’t I be? If you in the game to make money, you got to
handle yours. Every time we did a video, we looked at how many records
we’d already sold and how doing another video would [affect that]. You
can’t make money if you waste money.

MVRemix: Okay, I want you to finish the next four statements about Urban
Legend. Ready?

T.I.: Let’s do it.

MVRemix: If I liked “24’s,” I’ll love…

T.I.:
If you liked “24’s,” you’ll love “Countdown” because it’s letting
haters know I’m coming for them.

MVRemix: If I liked “Be Easy,” I’ll love…

T.I.:
Hmm… I’m trying to think of something that musical.

MVRemix: That’s right, because you had those organs going.

T.I.:
Yeah… if you liked “Be Easy,” you’ll love… I’d probably say “Stand Up.”

MVRemix: Okay, if I liked “Rubber Band Man,” I’ll love…

T.I.:
“ASAP,” just like on “Countdown” I’m letting them haters know I’m
coming for them and they have a short amount of time. They better get it
together “ASAP” — as soon as possible.

MVRemix: Last one, if I liked “Let’s Get Away,” I’ll love…

T.I.:
“Freakdom” produced by the Neptunes and “Chillin Wit My B***h” produced
by Scott Storch.

MVRemix: Urban Legend drops November 30th. How do you defeat the
bootleg man? Or is there even a way to?

T.I.:
Technology is technology. Nah… you can’t stop em, but me… I’m gonna hit
the warehouse. I hit a bootlegger on the street. They be like, hey it
ain’t me. I’m just the little man. Then I be like take me to the big man
and they do.

MVRemix: You’ve actually done that before?

T.I.:
I’m notorious in Atlanta for that sh*t. Ask the bootleggers down here
about T.I. I’m worst than the task force and the narcs. We done had
cases. We’ve had shootouts and fistfights. You ain’t gonna steal from me.

MVRemix: If you were a football or basketball player, probably football
because you’re from Georgia…

T.I.:
Nah, I like basketball too, but I’m football man, yeah.

MVRemix: Okay, if you were a football player, who would you be? Who would
your skills as a rapper most equate with?

T.I.:
Damn… that’s a hard question because there’s so many. I’m gonna give
you two on offense and two on defense. On offense I’d say [Hall of Fame
running back] Barry Sanders and [Atlanta Falcons quarterback] Michael
Vick. Barry was just graceful. No matter how good he was at his game
[critics] never wanted to give him that spot of being the best. Like me
saying I’m the King of the South. It’s like to say ‘I am’ is to say
[someone else] ain’t. With Mike Vick, the league was used to doing things a
certain way, but he had his own intentions.

MVRemix: Do you ever run into Michael Vick down there in Atlanta?

T.I.: Yeah… we cool as hell. We hang out all the time. We hit the clubs. Me
and [former Atlanta running back] Jamal Anderson is real cool too. We
went to school together.

MVRemix: Okay… here’s my last question.

T.I.: I didn’t tell you my defensive players.

MVRemix: That’s right. Who would you be on defense?

T.I.: They both on the [Baltimore Ravens]: Dion Sanders and Ray Lewis. Dion
because he so arrogant and cocky, like me, but you can’t say nothing
because he back it up. Ray Lewis is just intimidating.

MVRemix: As king of the south, what does the Dirty have to do to stay on top?

T.I.: We got to keep on making hits… period. Right now the South has to
maintain and keep it’s game up.

Original T.I. Interview

DJ Drama – Day Dreaming video featuring Akon, Snoop Dogg, and T.I. from his new album Gangsta Grillz: The Album

T.I. COMES ALIVE WITH “DEAD AND GONE (FEAT. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE)”; NEW SINGLE EXPLODES TO #2 ON BILLBOARD’S “HOT 100” WHILE ALSO LIGHTING IT UP AT MULTI-FORMAT RADIO NATIONWIDE; SUPERSTAR CONTINUES GRAMMY STREAK WITH “SWAGGA LIKE US,” WINNING “BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP” TROPHY FOR HIT COLLABO WITH JAY-Z, KANYE WEST & LIL WAYNE; T.I.’S ROAD TO REDEMPTION: 45 DAYS TO GO PROVES A HUGE HIT FOR MTV, AS T.I. HEADLINES ARENAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I. has scored another major hit with “Dead and Gone (Feat. Justin Timberlake),” the latest single from his RIAA platinum certified #1 album, “PAPER TRAIL.” The track has exploded in the past week, rising to #3 on SoundScan’s “Digital Songs” chart with total one week sales of nearly 250,000. What’s more, “Dead and Gone” is now #2 on Billboard’s “Hot 100,” where it was named the week’s “Greatest Gainer” and “Airplay Gainer.”

The success of “Dead and Gone” follows T.I.’s stunning live performance of the song alongside Timberlake at the 51st Grammy Awards, held earlier this month. The event saw the ATL-based superstar adding yet another statue to his Grammy shelf, taking home the “Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group” trophy for his blockbuster collaboration with Jay-Z, “Swagga Like Us (Feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne).” T.I. – who was also among last year’s big Grammy winners – teamed up onstage with his fellow MCs to perform the award-winning track at the February 8th ceremonies.

“Dead and Gone (Feat. Justin Timberlake)” is literally exploding at Rhythmic radio outlets nationwide, having bulleted its way to #2 on this week’s chart. The single is also lighting up the airplay charts at Urban, Urban AC, and CHR/Top 40, where it received the week’s “Most Increased Plays.” A companion video had its world premiere on MTV earlier this week and can now be viewed at T.I.’s official MySpace page, located at www.myspace.com/trapmuzik.

The rising popularity of “Dead and Gone,” in tandem with T.I.’s recent #1 singles, “Live Your Life (Feat. Rihanna)” and “Whatever You Like,” gives the multiple Grammy winning rapper a cumulative Top 40 audience exceeding 90 million. All three singles – as well as “Swagga Like Us” – are featured on the enormously successful “PAPER TRAIL.”

“Live Your Life (Feat. Rihanna)” has been a #1 sensation on an array of radio charts, including CHR/Top 40 and Rhythmic. The single made history last October by climbing to #1 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” from the previous week’s ranking at #80 – the biggest-ever one-week leap to the top. The success of “Live Your Life” shattered the previous record for largest ascent to #1 – a feat set just six weeks prior by “Whatever You Like,” the 2x platinum first single from “PAPER TRAIL,” which rocketed to #1 from #71 the week of September 6th and remained there until being replaced by “Live Your Life.” This remarkable achievement established T.I. as the first artist to replace himself at #1 since Usher in 2004.

“Whatever You Like” remains T.I.’s biggest selling digital single to date, with over 3 million downloads and counting. Not to be outdone, “Live Your Life” – still standing strong among the top 10 on the “Hot 100” – logged T.I.’s biggest-ever first-week digital singles sales, with sales in excess of 335, 000. The platinum certified single’s total digital sales are now quickly approaching the 3 million mark.

In other news, T.I. is currently headlining a provocative new MTV documentary series. T.I.’s Road To Redemption: 45 Days To Go made its eagerly anticipated debut earlier this month, with new episodes set to premiere every Tuesday at 9:00 PM ET/PT (check local listings). The inspirational docu-series follows T.I. as he counts down the days to his impending March 2009 sentencing for weapons charges. T.I.’s Road To Redemption: 45 Days To Go will not only show T.I. as he attempts to help change the lives of desperate teenagers across the country, but will also offer a behind-the-scenes peek at the most private and personal moments of one of today’s hottest most sought-after artists on the verge of leaving his glittering career for time behind bars.

T.I.’s Road To Redemption: 45 Days To Go has quickly begun drawing widespread critical acclaim. The Los Angeles Times hailed the series for offering “a compelling glimpse into a world too often fetishized on television,” praising T.I. as “Charismatic and confident, he has no trouble acknowledging both his mistakes and the very real societal forces working on him in and out of jail.” “I’ve never ever – ever – seen anything quite like T.I.’s Road To Redemption,” declared Newsday. “(The show) has a raw authenticity that will chill you to the bone.”

T.I. is currently headlining a major US arena tour, with dates running through mid-March (see attached itinerary). An additional slate of concert dates will be announced later.

Furthermore, T.I. is set for high-profile features in a number of major national publications, including cover stories in upcoming issues of both Blender and Vibe. This follows recent cover profiles in Giant, Rap Up, Murder Dog, and Ozone, as well as additional features in XXL, Vibe, Blender, Rolling Stone, People, and King (where he served as “Guest Editor”).

Finally, an exclusive live performance from T.I. recently launched as part of the “Rhapsody Originals” series on Rhapsody.com. The session is streaming now at www.rhapsody.com/originals. T.I. made online history late last year by passing the 2 million friend mark on his MySpace page, a new record by a hip-hop artist. The page – located at www.myspace.com/trapmuzik – has continued to see record-breaking traffic in recent months, with nearly 100 million page views and counting.

* * * * *

“PAPER TRAIL” is T.I. at his best – melding emotive moments like the harrowing “My Life, Your Entertainment (Feat. Usher)” with celebratory anthems such as the cocky” On Top Of The World (Feat. Ludacris and B.o.B.).” In addition to the aforementioned Swizz Beatz, the production roster includes such studio stars as Danja (Timbaland, Madonna, Usher), DJ Toomp (Kanye West, Missy Elliott, Young Jeezy) and Drumma Boy (Paul Wall, Rick Ross, Yung Joc). The result is T.I.’s most potent and important LP to date.

The album made a phenomenal arrival atop the Billboard 200 upon its September release, marking T.I.’s third consecutive #1 chart entry (following 2006’s platinum-certified “KING” and 2007’s platinum-certified “T.I. VS. T.I.P.”). With total first-week sales in excess of 568,000, “PAPER TRAIL” also entered at #1 on a number of additional Billboard charts, including “Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,” “Top Rap Albums,” and “Top Digital Albums.” The album’s unparalleled first-week sales success represents a personal best for T.I., as well as Atlantic Records’ biggest-ever one-week scan since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991.

Thus far, the combined singles sales from “PAPER TRAIL” have reached an incredible 7.6 million and counting. The album itself has now achieved total sales in excess of 1.6 million with no sign of stopping. What’s more, “PAPER TRAIL” is proving an international blockbuster, with its success driving T.I.’s total worldwide album sales to over 2 million.

In addition, “PAPER TRAIL” has drawn some of the most rapturous praise of T.I.’s already acclaimed career. “His best album since 2003’s ‘TRAP MUZIK,” declared the New York Times’ Jon Caramanica, “largely because it’s so serious.” “T.I. has managed to craft an album that gives listeners the standout moments they expect,” wrote Allhiphop.com. “(The album’s) achievements are enough to remind fans why they fell in love with T.I. back in 2003, and keep his tenuous title as ‘King of the South’ in place for the immediate future.” “(‘PAPER TRAIL’) shows a willingness to do something other than coast from hook to hook,” noted Pitchfork.com. “The album manages to be a more detailed manuscript of Tip’s complexity: An impending incarceration has lit a fire under him, triggering an impulse to challenge himself.” “’PAPER TRAIL’ starts and finishes strong,” hailed USA Today’s Steve Jones. “T.I. may be going away for a while, but his music won’t.”

“PAPER TRAIL” follows T.I.’s two previous #1 RIAA platinum-certified blockbusters, 2007’s “T.I. VS. T.I.P.” and 2006’s “KING.” With an unparalleled track record of hit singles – including “Top Back,” “Big Things Poppin’ (Do It),” “Why You Wanna,” and the Grammy Award-winning “What You Know” – T.I. is without question one of hip-hop’s greatest stars. In addition to his multiple Grammy Awards, T.I. has been the recipient of a wide variety of honors, including BET Awards, BET Hip-Hop Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.

An accomplished actor as well as a gifted rapper and live performer, T.I. has played acclaimed roles in the major motion pictures ATL and American Gangster. He recently made a cameo appearance on HBO’s Entourage and will also be starring in the upcoming Screen Gems film, Bone Deep. Added to these endeavors is his much-anticipated clothing line Akoo, which arrived in stores this fall.

(TOUR ITINERARY ATTACHED)

T.I. – On Tour 2009

FEBRUARY
20 DeKalb, IL Northern Illinois University Convocation Center
25 Fayetteville, AR Barnhill Arena
26 Charlotte, NC Cricket Arena
27 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
28 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum

MARCH

5 Orlando, FL UCF Arena
7 Detroit, MI Cobo Arena
8 Champaign, IL Assembly Hall
12 El Paso, TX Don Haskins Center
13 San Antonio, TX Alamodome
14 Houston, TX Houston Arena Theatre
15 Corpus Christi, TX American Bank Center

Carson Daly interviews T.I. on Last Call With Carson Daly promoting T.I.’s MTV Road To Redemption

T.I. – Dead and Gone live video featuring Justin Timberlake, from his album Paper Trail performed at the 2009 Grammy Awards

T.I. featuring M.I.A., Jay-Z and Lil Wayne – Swagga Like Us live 2009 Grammy performance

T.I. GOES TO THE TOP WITH “LIVE YOUR LIFE”; BLOCKBUSTER SINGLE RISES TO #1 AT CHR/TOP 40 RADIO; EXPLOSIVE POP SUCCESS CAPS EXTRAORDINARY YEAR FOR GRAMMY-WINNING HIP-HOP SUPERSTAR; ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDE FURTHER GRAMMY NODS, CAREER-BEST #1 DEBUT WITH THE PLATINUM-PLUS “PAPER TRAIL,” T.I.’S THIRD CONSECUTIVE CHART-TOPPING ENTRY IN THREE YEARS; “WHATEVER YOU LIKE” AND “LIVE YOUR LIVE” DOMINATE RHYTHMIC RADIO FOR 13 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS AND COUNTING

Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist T.I. has put the finishing touch on his incredible 2008 by hitting #1 on the CHR/Top 40 with the blockbuster single, “Live Your Life (Feat. Rihanna).” The track continues the ATL-based superstar’s seemingly endless streak of chart-toppers, highlighted by the RIAA platinum certified #1 album, “PAPER TRAIL.”

In addition to its success at CHR/Top 40, “Live Your Life” is also currently sitting pretty atop the Rhythmic airplay chart for the fourth consecutive week, followed at #2 by T.I.’s own “Whatever You Like,” the RIAA 2x platinum certified first single from “PAPER TRAIL.” The latter held the #1 position for nine straight weeks before ceding the top spot to “Live Your Live,” giving T.I. sole possession of #1 for 13 consecutive weeks.

Furthermore, a new single, “Dead and Gone (Feat. Justin Timberlake),” has just begun its ascent up the Rhythmic chart, debuting this week at #35 with-a-bullet. A companion video clip is currently in production, with a premiere date to be announced shortly.

“Live Your Life” made history last October, climbing to #1 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” from the previous week’s ranking at #80 – the biggest-ever one-week leap to the top. The success of “Live Your Life” shattered the previous record for largest ascent to #1 – a feat set just six weeks prior by T.I.’s own “Whatever You Like.” That track rocketed to #1 from #71 the week of September 6th and remained there until being replaced by “Live Your Life.” This remarkable achievement establishes T.I. as the first artist to replace himself at #1 since Usher in 2004.

The first solo chart-topper of T.I.’s remarkable career – and second overall following “My Love,” his Grammy-winning collaboration with Justin Timberlake – “Whatever You Like” remains T.I.’s biggest selling digital single to date, with over 2.3 million downloads and counting. The track is also the nation’s #1 ringtone for the 16th consecutive week.

Not to be outdone, “Live Your Life” – currently standing strong at #2 on the “Hot 100” – logged the biggest-ever first-week digital singles sales in history, with sales in excess of 335, 000. The platinum certified single’s total digital sales are now quickly approaching the 2 million mark.

T.I. – who was among last year’s big Grammy winners – recently received four Grammy Award nominations, including “Best Rap Album” (for “PAPER TRAIL”), “Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group” and “Best Rap Song” for “Swagga Like Us” by T.I. & Jay-Z (Feat. Kanye West and Lil Wayne),” and an additional “Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group” nomination for his featured role on Ludacris’ “Wish You Would.”

“PAPER TRAIL” made a phenomenal arrival atop the Billboard 200 upon its September release, marking T.I.’s third consecutive #1 chart entry (following 2006’s platinum-certified “KING” and 2007’s platinum-certified “T.I. VS. T.I.P.”). With total first-week sales in excess of 568,000, “PAPER TRAIL” also entered at #1 on a number of additional Billboard charts, including “Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,” “Top Rap Albums,” and “Top Digital Albums.” The album’s unparalleled first-week sales success represents a personal best for T.I., as well as Atlantic Records’ biggest-ever one-week scan since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking data in 1991.

T.I. also made history with his MySpace page by passing the 2 million friend mark, a new record by a hip-hop artist. The page – www.myspace.com/trapmuzik – has seen record-breaking traffic in recent months, with a stunning 92.5 million page views.

T.I. has been profiled in a stunning array of recent national publications, spanning Giant (where he was featured on the cover), XXL, Vibe, Blender, Rolling Stone, People, and King (where he will serve as “Guest Editor” on the upcoming November issue). In addition, “PAPER TRAIL” has drawn some of the most rapturous praise of T.I.’s already acclaimed career. “His best album since 2003’s ‘TRAP MUZIK,” declared the New York Times’ Jon Caramanica, “largely because it’s so serious.” “T.I. has managed to craft an album that gives listeners the standout moments they expect,” wrote Allhiphop.com. “(The album’s) achievements are enough to remind fans why they fell in love with T.I. back in 2003, and keep his tenuous title as ‘King of the South’ in place for the immediate future.” “(‘PAPER TRAIL’) shows a willingness to do something other than coast from hook to hook,” noted Pitchfork.com. “The album manages to be a more detailed manuscript of Tip’s complexity: An impending incarceration has lit a fire under him, triggering an impulse to challenge himself.” “’PAPER TRAIL’ starts and finishes strong,” hailed USA Today’s Steve Jones. “T.I. may be going away for a while, but his music won’t.”

* * * * *

“PAPER TRAIL” is T.I. at his best – melding emotive moments like the harrowing “My Life, Your Entertainment (Feat. Usher)” with celebratory anthems such as the cocky ”On Top Of The World (Feat. Ludacris and B.o.B.).” In addition to the aforementioned Swizz Beatz, the production roster includes such studio stars as Danja (Timbaland, Madonna, Usher), DJ Toomp (Kanye West, Missy Elliot, Young Jeezy) and Drumma Boy (Paul Wall, Rick Ross, Yung Joc). The result is T.I.’s most potent and important LP to date.

“No Matter What,” the first street track and video from “PAPER TRAIL,” proved an online blockbuster upon its release earlier this year, earning over one million views at T.I.’s official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/TIvsTIP. In addition, the clip – directed by Self and James Lopez – received a nod for “Best Male Video” at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

“PAPER TRAIL” follows T.I.’s two previous #1 RIAA platinum-certified blockbusters, 2007’s “T.I. VS. T.I.P.” and 2006’s “KING.” With an unparalleled track record of hit singles – including “Top Back,” “Big Things Poppin’ (Do It),” “Why You Wanna,” and the Grammy Award-winning “What You Know” – T.I. is without question one of hip-hop’s greatest stars. In addition to his multiple Grammy Awards, T.I. has been the recipient of a wide variety of honors, including BET Awards, BET Hip-Hop Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.

An accomplished actor as well as a gifted rapper and live performer, T.I. has played acclaimed roles in the major motion pictures ATL and American Gangster. He recently made a cameo appearance on HBO’s Entourage and will also be starring in the upcoming Screen Gems film, Bone Deep.

In 2009, T.I. will be tackling television with an inspirational documentary series for MTV. The yet-to-be-titled series will center on the rapper’s life on probation in the year leading up to his impending year-long jail sentence. Added to these endeavors is his much-anticipated clothing line Akoo, which arrived in stores this fall.

Sneak Peak: T.I. – Live Your Life video featuring Rihanna from the album Paper Trail

Yung LA – Ain’t I (Remix) video featuring T.I. and Young Dro