EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW W/ T.I.

Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., best known by his rap name T.I., and also by his alter ego T.I.P., is a Grammy Award-winning rapper, songwriter, actor, record and executive producer as well as the Co-CEO of Grand Hustle Records.

I interviewed him on July 20th and he actually is a real stand up guy. He mentioned a little bit of everything, so make sure you check out the interview!

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T.I.: Hello?
Angel: Hello?
T.I.: What’s happening?
Angel: What’s up T.I. this is Angel from Concreteloop.com
T.I.: What’s going on?
Angel: Chillin, chillin - So how you feeling right now? You sitting on top of the billboards right now.
T.I.: [laughs] I mean you know…
Angel: Can’t complain right?
T.I.: Yeah, you know. I mean it’s what I’m used to. I feel like this is the norm for me. You know what I’m saying? Anything under this would have been unacceptable. I would have been depressed. I’d say I got to do a little bit better than this, you know what I’m saying?
Angel: I feel you, I feel you. So could you explain your writing process? Does it come naturally or do you actually have to sit down and think about the songs?
T.I.: I’m on automatic baby. You play a beat right now and tell me that this is what we working on and imma come up with something in about 20-30 minutes – if it take that long.
Angel: So you can just freestyle over a track?
T.I.: You know what I’m saying? It’s whatever. I’ve been doing this shit so long that I can just do what I want to with it.
Angel: Okay, okay. [Both of us laugh]
Angel: Well I have a visitor on my site and he said he misses the old T.I. like Trap Muzik type songs, when you were talking about more serious topics and he could relate more. Could you explain your process of writing this album, were you going for a different sound?
T.I.: Naw, I wasn’t going for no different sound. This album specifically I was narrating my life, like the things that happened to me within the time that I completed King [his fourth album] and the time that I released this one. And if anybody has been following my career all those issues have been addressed. [I just wanted people to know] If I had a chance to sit down and talk somebody and tell them from my mouth to their ears what I wanted them to know about me. That’s why you got a songs like, “Watch What You Say To Me,” like “You Ain’t Raw,” like “My Type.” These are songs you know, I’m speaking from my perspective now. Whereas back then I was intentionally speaking from everyone else’s perspective. Like this is me, I’m giving you me and back then I was trying to tell everybody else about us. You see what I’m saying?
Angel: Yeah I feel you.
T.I.: So it was a different position that I was taking for this album.
Angel: Okay, so if you had to pick an album out of your whole catalog that is your favorite album, which one would it be?
T.I.: I mean I can’t pick a favorite, because they all like children. All songs and albums are like children to me. Like this is my most personal album, this is the album where I gave the most of myself to the people. Everything else, like what I was saying was more so like what I wanted the game to know about people who came from the trap, when I made Trap Muzik. More so, what I wanted the industry to know about me when I made Urban Legend. More about what I wanted other rappers to think about me when I made King. You know what I’m saying?
Angel: Yeah
T.I.: Right now it’s me speaking directly to the fans and the people..

Angel: So another person from the site wanted to know. When are you and Tiny going to do a track together. I mean she can sing, you can rap isn’t it in the stars?
T.I.: We done did songs together. As a matter of fact, if they were really really trying to find it they could find it. It’s out there. We got a song that is already out there, I can’t believe that they didn’t know that.
Angel: Well yeah that’s what they said. So do you have a title that they can look for?
T.I.: [talks to someone in the background] What’s the name of that song that me and Tameka did together, the one that leaked out on the internet? [T.I. then hums chorus] So Cold, I think it’s listed as So Cold.
Angel: Okay, I will try to post that up for them, since people were acting like they didn’t know about that.
T.I.: Yeah. And it was released on something officially whundit? It was either a hidden track or a bonus track on the international album. You know how albums have specific bonus tracks.
Angel: Yeah.
T.I. Yeah it was like a bonus track on something.
Angel: Ok. So what about you two? Are you guys getting married any time soon, any wedding bells in the future?
T.I. Imma tell you what we gon do. We gon keep our business to ourselves. [laughs] Because when you put it out there like that, then it gives people the right to critique it and to comment on it and to criticize it. And it ain’t nobody else business to criticize or to comment on. And when we do, if we do do that, when we do do that, it’s gon be something real private and special for us to enjoy. You know it just put so much pressure and so much strain and so much extra nonsense on the situation when you make it public like that. Ain’t none of them lasted – from Nick & Jessica..
Angel: Yeah you right..
T.I.: Hulk Hogan and his old lady breaking up [laughs] you know what I’m saying? Ain’t none of them lasted.
Angel: Just don’t do a reality show and you’ll be alright.
T.I.: Naw, I don’t want no reality shows in my business. I don’t want other people in my business. Any time you got out there publicly and say this is what were doing, you know. I’m keeping it my business, we gon remain mysterious. [laughs]

Angel: Well I got another question about Ludacris. Are you guys planning to do a track together? I know you apologized at the BET Awards and tried to clear stuff up. Are you guys going to work together in the future?
T.I.: No that wasn’t going to clear anything up, that was just apologizing for my actions.
Angel: Oh ok.
T.I.: I felt it came upon a time when we were there to celebrate success. And it was such a positive event the BET Awards and I felt like I had brought something negative that was really overshadowing our cause of being there. I was just apologizing because I felt that it was inappropriate and the wrong time and the wrong setting. Ya Dig?
Angel: Ok.
T.I. Not to say that I don’t feel I was justified. You know what I’m saying?
Angel: Yeah I get what you’re saying.
T.I.: Furthermore me and Ludacris don’t have a problem. I wasn’t even talking to or about that altercation, it didn’t even have nothing to do with Ludacris and I’ve said that many times. Me and Chris man we see each other and we speak and we didn’t have no problems. Chris was there at the time of the incident and we didn’t have no problems. As far as will we do a song? You know well I’m open to discussion, you know what I’m saying? If it makes sense, I’ll consider. I’m not saying hell naw I will never work with him, it ain’t like that. I ain’t go no beef with dude. But I’m not finna go out my way to do nothing and I know he ain’t finnin go out his way to do nothing. So it would have to be just real convenient and make a whole lotta sense for all parties involved you know?
Angel: Okay. So another thing that happened at the BET Awards – you know when you were performing and you ran out into the crowd and you were shaking hands, a lot of people saw Tony Yayo put his hand out to like shake your hand and you just walked past him. Was that intentional or did you not really see his hand?
T.I.: Naw Naw, I spoke to him right afterwards man. As soon as I walked off stage, I don’t know who it was that said “you left Yayo hanging.” I was like aww man, my bad. I spoke to him. It wasn’t at all intentional. Why would I dap 50 and leave Yayo hanging? [both of us laugh].

Angel: So let’s talk about your acting career. Everyone loved you in ATL (and that’s personally one of my favorite movies)..
T.I. Thank you.
Angel: … Are you nervous about the response of your next feature American Gangster?
T.I.: Naw, naw..
Angel: Because your working with Denzel and them.
T.I.: Naw, because American Gangster ain’t about me, you know what I’m saying? That’s starring Denzel, Russell Crowe. That’s the good thing about being in an ensemble cast when you have so much talent around you and all I gotta do is contribute.
Angel: Un huh
T.I.: Whereas ATL it was on me. You know what I’m saying.
Angel: That’s true, that’s true.
T.I.: I’m not tripping at all man, it’s a phenomenal story, outstanding script, a tremendous cast. Everbody acting they ass off, from Cuba Gooding Jr. to Idris Elba to Common, myself, not to mention Ruby Dee, she in there.
Angel: Ok, that’s gonna be good!
T.I.: ..and Denzel and Russell. Shawty this is just the most prolific black gangsta flick that has ever hit the screen.
Angel: Oh it’s that deep?
T.I.: This gonna be like The Sopranos for us.
Angel: I’m excited about that one, so I can’t wait to see that. So are you going to do anymore acting jobs in the future? Are you working on something right now?
T.I.: You said am I doing what love?
Angel: Are you working on any new acting features right now or are you just taking a break for your music right now?
T.I.: I mean of course I had to take a break a little bit after I did American Gangsta, I just started going hard into the album. I have several things that’s in line, but I’m focusing on as much as producing films than I am on starring in them. And I have this one film for sale, which is a comedy set in the world of used car dealerships. We’re real excited about that, it’s over at New Line Cinema. And they told me they need a new franchise of Fridays.
Angel: That’s gonna be hot.
T.I.: And I told her if anybody’s gonna give it to ya baby [both of us laugh] hell it’s gon be me. And I’m real excited about delivering that.
Angel: Big things, big things..

Angel: Ok, well let me get to some rumor questions I wanted to ask you. Um, a couple of weeks ago, I don’t know if you read this site TMZ.COM..
T.I.: Naw.
Angel: They said that you were doing a performance out in California I think..
T.I.: Yeah.
Angel: and someone threw a cup on stage and you allegedly hit them in the head with your mic. Is there any truth to that rumor?
T.I.: I don’t know. I have no recollection of that. If anything like that were to happen and there wasn’t no charges pressed at the time, on site and there wasn’t no arrest made or any charges on site I don’t think an interview should bring any focus [to it]. I don’t know anything about nothing like that. I do recall somebody throwing something on stage, but I don’t know about hitting them up side the head with no microphone. I cannot confim those allegations [laughs]
Angel: Good answer, good answer [laugh] For your college tour too, a lot of people were like is apart of the act.
T.I.: That I can confirm.
Angel: Oh ok, so what went down?
T.I.: That I can confirm. Folk were throwing water on the stage. I mean I’m a man of respect and I give respect and I demand it in return.
Angel: Un huh.
T.I.: And for real man, watch what you say to me. What how you speak and what how you handle me man and I’ll watch how I’ll handle you. But if you disregard how you handle me. Imma disregard how Imma handle you. You know I think I could get a little rougher with folk than what they can get with me.

Angel: Do you read gossip blogs? Like do you keep up with black celebrity gossip blogs?
T.I.: I try not to man, if it don’t come to me through the wire, like in the streets. If it aint the word on the curb, I don’t tune into television or log on to no specific website to get no gossip.
Angel: Okay.
T.I.: But your thang is on the street, you know what I’m saying but I don’t tune in. But what’s up? What you wanna know?
Angel: I was gonna ask some more questions.. for the ladies…
T.I.: Go ahead and ask.
Angel: People think you sexy, people think you fine.
T.I.: Thank you
Angel: So do you consider yourself a sex symbol?
T.I.: Yes, absolutely…
Angel: No if ands or buts?
T.I.: I am indeed, probably one of the best that there is, that they are to have right now. Yeah I do.
Angel: And what about that Vibe cover? Were you feeling that Vibe Cover?
T.I.: I heard people like it. [laughs] I mean I feel all my covers.
Angel: Yeah everybody loved that cover man, you should have saw the post the thing went crazy when that cover went up.
T.I.: I heard people liked it man and I appreciate it for real. I don’t really think it’s as much as my physical as it is other things that really attract people to me.
Angel: Your swagger, that’s what it is.
T.I.: Yeah, I think it’s like you know. Like that Vibe cover it was all physical. It’s number of good looking guys you can put on a cover. You know?
Angel: True.
T.I.: But it’s kinda like you don’t really expect everything that you get when you dealing with me. You know what I’m saying?
Angel: Un huh.
T.I.: Like when people look at me, they expect one thing and once they began dealing with me they in for something else, you get what I’m saying? [smiles]
Angel: And that leads me to my next question. One of the ladies on the site, she wanted to know which ego are you in the bed? Are you T.I. or are you T.I.P.??
T.I.: You know what man [smiles] some ladies prefer T.I. more than T.I.P. And it depends on the woman’s mood, you know what I’m saying? A woman might be in the mood for T.I. and a woman might be in the mood for T.I.P. It depends on how many other determining factors there are involved. [both of us laugh].
Angel: [laughs] Alright.
T.I.: If a woman had a hard day at work man you know, had a rough day. She might want to come home to T.I. and get her feet rubbed and get some dinner cooked for her. Whereas she done had a few shots of Patrone and she done had a long night at the club, dealing with suckas all day [both of us laugh] you know she wanna come home and be treated like T.I.P. you know what I’m saying? You got to have the luxury of being able to access both.
Angel: So what do you think is sexy about a woman?
T.I.: What I think is sexy about a woman? Her willingness to be sexy. Her caring about being sexy. Being sexy on the inside, beautiful on the inside first. And her being comfortable and secure enough of herself to, you know some people self esteem will only allow them to do so much.
Angel: Yeah.
T.I.: And some people have self-esteem which allow them to exceed expectations. And you know, those are the people who will be at the same level of people like me. We can compare notes. [both of us laugh].

Angel: So this is basically the final part of the interview, because I know my time is almost up. And I wanted to ask you have you reached all the goals you set for yourself thus far? Or are you still trying to accomplish some things?
T.I.: I mean I’ve reached some of them, some of them have been reached. To remain consistent and successful in music and to create some opportunities for the people around me and you know, get my mom up out the hood and make sure my family ain’t got to worry about no money. You know all that kind of stuff. But I have more to reach…
Angel: So where do you see your career in ten years? Whether that be movies, acting, etc?
T.I.: Through the roof. I don’t know what it’s gon consist of. Don’t count me out, you know what I’m saying? People feel like they, like last time when I did the numbers that I did. You know cats was like, “Aw man that’s cause he was in the movie the same week.” And he had the 30 extra million dollars in marketing. You know this time he only gonna do 350-250 [thousand]. You know what I’m saying?
Angel: Yeah.
T.I.: And people want to put me in a box, they want me to be a southern rapper. They want to compare me to the releases of all the other southern rappers. And I’m telling these folk man, I’m nothing like you’ve ever seen before.
Angel: Of course.
T.I.: Like I’m exempt to all of your thoughts about hip-hop being down. You know when they say light skin guys aint in, that really don’t count for me. [laughs]. You know what I’m saying.
Angel: Yeah [laughs].
Angel: See I was going to ask you that obligatory question about Hip-Hop being dead, but it’s like beat down to the ground that I didn’t even want to bring it up you know?
T.I.: You know even when they say stuff like that, you know, I am hip-hop. I’m the best thing that this game has to offer right now. Whether you like it or not. If you do the research you’ll see that you can’t even argue that fact. Nobody consistently on they 5th album, has came out dropped one album after the next (one year pardon). Even when I went to jail I dropped an album the same year.
Angel: That’s true. That’s true.
T.I.: And every album is more successful than the last. You know what I’m saying and that’s another accomplishment that I can check off the list for this album that I didn’t have to check off the list for the last one. I’m getting better and better.

Angel: So do you have any final words for your fans or any last statements for the site in the interview?
T.I.: On the real man, the most that I can say to my fans is thank you. I appreciate all the love and support from Day one, the fans is really is what put me here. I’m probably one of the only fan favorites that really made it.
Angel: Yeah.
T.I.: You know what I’m saying? Like I was the underdog at one time and my fans put me in the position that I am right now. So I’m gracious and thank you. You know, I’ll never let you down. Anytime you see my name on something, you can guarantee that I done put 100% of myself into it. And I ain’t never just took some money and put some shit out.
Angel: Un uh. Like a lot of people do. [laughs]
T.I.: Yeah, I ain’t never just did that. I ain’t never compromise, like you know I’m sure it’s a lot of people corporately that wanted to hear, “You Know What It Is,” come before “Big Shit Poppin.”
Angel:Yeah
T.I.: Because I know that that’s what my fans would appreciate..
Angel: you put it out.
T.I.: Yeah, That’s what I went with. Everybody thought it was gon cost me numbers..
Angel: You can’t listen to everybody, you know that already.
T.I.: I mean not even just that, I know what my folk like base on what I like. I fuck with them, because for the longest they been fucking with me and I’m gon continue to do that.

[Ask him for the drop and we say our goodbyes]

Angel: Well thank you T.I. I really appreciate this.
T.I.: Alright baby, I appreciate you.
Angel: And congratulations on your success man.
T.I.: Thank you love, I appreciate it. Once again, thank you to Concreteloop and everybody who had a hand in helping me.
Angel: No problem
T.I.: Couldn’t have done it without yall.
Angel: Keep doing your thing man.
T.I.: Right on.
Angel: Alright, have a good day.
T.I.: Later minute.