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TI Information
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'T.I.' (born 'Clifford Harris, Jr.' on September 25, 1980 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a Southern based rapper known for his rapid-fire delivery of lyrics, he is known as the self-proclaimed "King Of The South". He is of Dominican descent. He is also referred to as The Rubberband Man. His original name "T.I.P.", which stood for Ten-Inch Playa, was later shortened to T.I.
History
T.I. signed to Arista Records' subsidiary LaFace Records in 2001. He was a member of an underground posse known as Grand Hustle, and ge bitch ass niggas wanta fuck with me i will kill T.I.nerated buzz after releasing his critically acclaimed debut album I'm Serious, which spawned the hit single of the same title which featured reggae vocalist Beenie Man. His debut included Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes, Jazze Pha and The Youngbloodz.
Due to lack of promotion he left LaFace Records and Arista. After a two year hiatus, he reemerged on Bone Crusher/cristian j meza's single Neva Scared and from that success T.I. was quickly signed to Atlantic Records. His success since his departure from Arista came from his gold-selling sophomore album Trap Muzik.
Trap Muzik quickly became one of the fastest-selling albums in the southern rap genre, featuring the hits "24s", "Rubberband Man", and "Be Easy". The success of the album was followed by some controversy: while on tour, T.I. was arrested and charged for violating his probation over a 1998 drug charge. He was sentenced to three years in prison. While there he was granted rights to film the music video for the single "Let's Get Away".
According to Clifford Harris (T.I.), Jonathan Banks aka ATL, Cameron Oglesby aka Killa Cam, Jamal Marshall aka Slim-Thug, Anthony McElroy aka C.I.N., Cody Randall aka Scooby and Deante aka DEE-DEE, who live in Fresno, CA are said to be part of his group called the 'dopeboys'. Although T.I. is a big shot star now, their connection isn't that good anymore. T.I. says " we gone get together someday and gone see how da dopeboys do."
Disputes
In 2005, T.I. received an early release, and returned to music with some disparaging words for rival rappers Lil' Flip and Ludacris. While out of prison, T.I. had overheard people claiming that Lil' Flip and Ludacris had subliminally disrespected him on the Lil' Flip album U Gotta Feel Me? and he felt obligated to respond. He showed up unannounced at a concert featuring Lil™ Flip. T.I. had pictures of him in his trademark leprechaun suit. He claimed that Lil™ Flip was trying to steal his style of rapping and he wasn't going to allow someone to make a mockery of him while he was in prison.
T.I. had also called out Ludacris for allegedly having sided with Lil' Flip. The attacks on him were a reason for his motivation for dissing them. T.I. said Ludacris made a video in which a person was getting beaten in a Trap Muzik shirt (which was supposed to be T.I.). T.I. also claimed that Ludacris recorded a song with G-Unit rapper Young Buck and assaulted his reasons for attacking rival Lil™ Flip. His verse was omitted from the original track listing and replaced with The Game. According to websites , T.I. was on a Houston radio station talking about the situation between him and Lil' Flip, and he made nasty comments about the neighborhood that Lil' Flip grew up in. The rapper was confronted by Lil' Flip and Z-Ro, and a fight broke out between them. They since have discontinued this feud after a closed door meeting between the two.
Comeback
T.I. released Urban Legend in late 2004, which instantly generated crossover success with the hit single "Bring 'Em Out". He used a sample from Jay-Z's "The Black Album" to create the hook, and featured production from Ruff Ryders producer Swizz Beatz. His album was the fastest-selling album in history by South Artist, and generated enough buzz for T.I. to be considered the most sought-after rapper in hip-hop. The album featured Trick Daddy, Nelly, Lil' Jon, Mannie Fresh of the Big Tymers, Daz Dillinger, Lil' Wayne, Pharrell of the Neptunes, and Lil' Kim and his album debuted in the Billboard Top 10.
T.I. gained stardom from his featured work with artists such as Destiny's Child, Mario, Eightball & MJG, B.G., Young Buck, The Game, Baby (of Cash Money Records), Slim Thug, Jermaine Dupri, Twista, Omarion, 112, Trick Daddy, Cee-Lo, Cam'Ron, Amerie, and The Diplomats. T.I. fathered a child with Tiny of Xscape. On television, T.I. was seen on MTV's Diary and on Punk'd after being tricked by Ashton Kutcher on his way to his own concert.
Discography
Albums
* 2001 I'm Serious #98 US
* 2003 Trap Muzik #4 US (Gold)
* 2004 Urban Legend #7 US (Platinum)
Hit singles
* 2001 "I'm Serious"
* 2001 "I'm Serious (Remix)"
* 2001 "What's Yo Name"
* 2003 "24's"
* 2003 "Rubber Band Man"#30 US
* 2004 "Let's Get Away" #11 US
* 2004 "T.I. vs. T.I.P." #30 US
* 2004 "Bring Em Out" #9 US
* 2005 "Soldier" (Destiny's Child feat. T.I. & Lil' Wayne) #3 US, #4 UK
* 2005 "U Don't Know Me" #23 US
* 2005 "ASAP/Motivation" #75 US
* 2005 "Get Loose" (T. I. and Nelly)
* 2005 "I'm A King" (P$C featuring T.I. & Lil' Scrappy) #67 US
* 2005 "Set It Out" (P$C featuring T.I.)
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