No major label, no problem, T.I. started out in the streets and went on to become one of the biggest rappers in Atlanta. Had he not gone to prison in 2009 and 2010, T.I. would more than likely very well still be a powerhouse in the game. Even with the setbacks, he remains a top twenty artist.
Once he built his mixtape buzz, T.I. signed with Atlantic Records in a deal that also included his imprint, Grand Hustle Records. It’s been T.I. holding the label down, for the most part, but Young Dro and B.o.B. have also had success. Now, T.I. is focusing more on being a label-head, as opposed to the artist.
But, as he prepares Trouble Man: He Who Wears the Crown, T.I. is planning on dropping the album without a major label. XXL will be featuring T.I. in their upcoming issue and he spoke on both his new album and his label situation. T.I. spoke on his past with Atlantic Records and explained how they hated his new persona.
Read excerpts from the interview below:
T.I. on Grand Hustle Records: You started Grand Hustle about 10 years ago, but it seems like the stable is just now taking full form, no?
I’m just so happy these guys are getting their shot. They stood by me and waited. They were loyal. For the longest time, we sat back and watched Young Money. We watched [Maybach Music Group]. We watched this one and that one, and I knew we had the same amount of talent, if not more. I was dealing with cases at the time, so when they would come to me, I just had to tell them the time would come. So I’m so happy to give these guys an opportunity to showcase their talents now.T.I. on current label status: On that note, you’re kind of in the middle of a major label bidding war, right?
[Laughs] Listen, a message to the labels: Don’t look at this deal like you’re signing an artist. You need to look at like you’re acquiring a multimedia company, because I have six, seven, eight areas of business that are each generating at least one or two million dollars a year. So, if you were going to buy six McDonalds and each were generating one or two million dollars a year, you would not be trying to down talk Ronald for offering you an opportunity to participate in his franchise. I’m offering them an opportunity to participate in my franchise. You don’t want it? Good. Keep selling 150,000 units.
With your reality show and even your books, there’s been a real shift in your image. Do you think you’ve changed?
I do, but a lot people want to take that change and connect it to entertainment. “Oh he got all this money and changed, or “He got in trouble so he changed.” When I got introduced to the game, I was 19. Right now I’m 32. You could take anybody man, police, fireman, journalist, radio personality, actor, producer, from 19-32, he’s gonna change. But my change is publicized. So instead of connecting it to a natural, organic growth, they want to connect it to prison or something else.Was Atlantic Records happy about the new family-friendly T.I.?
Nah, they hated it. Labels love hardcore T.I. That keeps the cash register ringing. They don’t want me to go to prison and caught though. They want me to be the Teflon Don, and I can’t blame them. That shit’s sexy. But I’m older, man. I’m wiser, I’m calmer… I’m better, stronger. I’m ready for whatever tomorrow got coming.
