UB ReVisit: T.I. Talks Hip Hop and Acting

T.I. also known as TIP is a husband, father, astute businessman, fashion icon, television producer, Hollywood A-Lister, King of the South and Hip-Hop standard bearer.

To continue celebrating our favorite interviews in the last 15 years. We’ve interviewed him three separate times. This ReVisit dates back to 2007, in support of his T.I. Vs. T.I.P. project.

The new season of “T.I. & Tiny: Friends and Family Hustle” starts tomorrow Monday April 13th on VH1 at 9PM ET/PT.

T.I. has grown to truly be one of his generations most captivating speakers. Whether he’s conversing frankly with a room full of youth about the positive side of staying in school and following their dreams, or moving tens of thousands at one of his concerts, the audiences are immediately engrossed by the King of the South‘s words.

Over the years, T.I. has also continued to expand his already impressive business portfolio.

TIP is the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records, and he launched his film company, Grand Hustle Films, in 2005.

Since his 2001 debut, I’m Serious, T.I. became one of the rare hip-hop artists who’s fan base and his record sales increased with each new release. The critical accolades have continued to flow as well; including three GRAMMY Awards.

In October 2007 Aries from UB spoke with T.I. about his release T.I. Vs. T.I.P., his favorites from his catalog, and he tells us what happened with his scrapped track he recorded with Ciara.

TIP also got candid about the state of Hip-Hop, gay rappers, as well as his love for acting.

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UrbanBridgez.com: Congratulations on all of your success & for still holding down the #1 album in the country!
T.I.: Thank you, I appreciate that a lot.

UrbanBridgez.com: What was the hardest obstacle you faced while working on T.I. VS T.I.P.?
T.I.: Really with T.I. VS. T.I.P. I just really tried to stay consistent with the whole concept of the album. Without the music really going over peoples heads. I just wanted to deliver, basically just pick up where I left off with KING.

UrbanBridgez.com: I like the hidden message in Tell Em I Said That, what inspired you to write that song?
T.I.: Really it’s just how I feel. A lot of artists just tend to provoke a lot of shit. Shit they won’t go through themselves, but will rhyme about it in their songs. They don’t even qualify to speak on half of the stuff they be saying. Basically just being hypocrites. I can actually say that about them, because I actually know these kats. And they be getting the kids all enthused and juiced up on shit these niggas won’t even do themselves. But they’re saying in their music to do it.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s the next single?
T.I.: Right now I’m not sure as of yet. But I do know the next two singles will be T.I. singles because the first was two T.I.P. singles. Matter of fact I’ll let you pick the next two singles, what do you think they should be?

UrbanBridgez.com: Again I gotta say Tell Em I Said That, because that’s one of my personal favorites & maybe Touchdown, that song is tight as well.
T.I.: Thanks man, appreciate that.

UrbanBridgez.com: What happened to the song with Ciara that was to be featured on T.I. VS. T.I.P.?
T.I.: I don’t think Ciara’s management.. (laughs). Let me just say this, we didn’t get all the clearance for the song before it was time for the release to come out.

UrbanBridgez.com: Being a fan since “I’m Serious” with each release, I feel you’ve showed a lot of growth as an artists. Going back to “I’m Serious” what was the best part about recording that album?
T.I.: Thank you! I remember I was just so amped & eager to put it out! I remember feeling like there were so many people in the position of putting out albums that I felt I was better than. So I had this big ass ego, like yeah it’s my time now. That’s most likely why it didn’t blow up (laughs) because I was so amped to show how good I was. But really I just know now that I was before my time. Every since then I have learned to just pace my self with each release and let everything happen and now I’m a success!

UrbanBridgez.com: What are your top three favorite songs in your catalog?
T.I.: Man my top three songs in my catalog? I can’t even choose (laughs). But I got my family and friends here with me, so I’ll ask them. (T.I. asks the people in the room) – Dope Boyz, 24’s and What You Know. Them was all the first three singles I came out with for three of the albums (laughs), and that’s a coincidence. Them ain’t my top three favorites, but I still love y’all (laughs). I gotta add Rubberman Man and Bring Em Out, which still does it’s job till this day. I’m T.I.P right now, but them is T.I.’s favorites.

UrbanBridgez.com: Last year Kanye said rap artists should stop with the homophobic lyrics in their music. What are your views on homosexuality and Hip-Hop? Are you aware of your gay fanbase?
T.I.: I’m aware & I really have no views. I feel what you do is what you do and as long as you’re respectful of me and mines, I have no problem with anybody. Lyric wise there’s no need for homophobic lyrics. Artist wise, there is no place in Hip-Hop for a gay artist. I mean no bashing at all, it’s just history has proven that it won’t work.

UrbanBridgez.com: Is acting something you always wanted to do or did the opportunity just come about?
T.I.: Man I’ve always been the class clown. Just very theatrical even before I got into music. I got famous because of music, but I was always someone people would say, you should be on TV. Just a really silly person with a personality that made people interested in me. I would always go the extra mile to make people laugh.

UrbanBridgez.com: How was it working with Denzel Washington on American Gangster?
T.I.: It was a phenomenal & honorable experience. Beyond anything I expected, I’m like an intern in the film industry. Denzel is a legend. I mean from Denzel, Cuba Gooding and Russell Crow. To work with all them phenomenal actors and who are proven actors was just a pleasure. This is only my second film, so it was a great experience.

UrbanBridgez.com: What’s your take on the current state of Hip-Hop?
T.I.: I think it’s in the best place right now and in the worst place right now. It’s in the best place right now because Hip-Hop is bringing a lot of new business to the industry. It’s putting new leaders in place as executives to make positive changes. So many new ways to earn revenue from Hip-Hop. From all kinds of shit from ringtones, sponsors, it’s just so many ways to get money. Movies, the whole nine. The worst place right now is because so many people are downloading music. So that is making it harder to sell a record.

UrbanBridgez.com: Who are some of your favorite singers, if you have any?
T.I.: Umm Robin Thicke, Marvin Gaye (in a soft voice) and Beyonce’.

UrbanBridgez.com: What artist would you like to work wit in the future that you haven’t already?
T.I.: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Outkast, Robin Thicke, Scarface, I already recorded a song with him, y’all just aint heard it yet. Man, just a lot of people. I wanna work with Jill Scott, Alicia Keys. I think I’ve recorded with most of the rappers I wanted to, so now it’s just some R&B; artists. I really wanna do something with Ronald Isley, oh & Dr. Dre. I think me and 50 Cent will be really interesting as well.

UrbanBridgez.com: Any last words for your fans?
T.I.: Thank you! I feel like a lot of people have always considered me the underdog. And thanks to my fans who have believed in me from the start. The ones that have been consistent and have argued with the critics telling them I should be here, it’s due to them that I am here. My fans gave me the name King and just coming to my shows, the record stores and just for all of the support. For that I thank you and I really appreciate it!