T.I Biography T.I. (born Clifford Joseph Harris, 25.9.1980)

T.I. (also known as T.I.P.) is an American rapper and hip-hop artist. He is also the head of Grand Hustle Records.

T.I.: Childhood

T.I. was raised by his grandparents in Atlanta, Georgia. As a child, he was a drug dealer and earned himself the nickname 'Rubber Band Man' because the number of rubber bands on his arm indicated how much of his stash he had left.

He was originally named Tip by his great grandfather who was the record executive that discovered his talents. However, he later re-named himself T.I., mainly out if respect for Q-Tip, with whom he shared a label (LaFace Records, a subsidiary of Arista Records).

T.I.: Music Career

T.I.'s debut album, I'm Serious, was released in October 2001 on Arista Records. The title track was the lead single from the album and featured the controversial dancehall artist Beenie Man. Other guests on the album include the Neptunes' Pharrell Williams, Youngbloodz and Jazze Pha. The album did not sell as well as hoped, peaking at number 98 in the US album charts. Subsequently, T.I. was dropped from Arista.

Between his debut and second album, T.I. released a number of low-key mixtapes, aided by DJ Drama.

In 2003, T.I. appeared on the Bone Crusher song 'Never Scared'. This was followed by the release of his second album, Trap Muzik on the Grand Hustle Records label. The album went into the charts at number four, selling over 100,000 copies in the first week. This time, the guests on the album included Bun B, Macboney and Eightball. Kanye West was among the several producers on the album, as were David Banner and Madvac.

Whilst promoting the album, T.I. was charged with violating the probation terms of an earlier drugs offence and sentenced to three years in prison.

T.I.'s third album was Urban Legend and was released in 2004. The lead single, 'Bring 'Em Out' was hugely successful and was followed by 'U Don't Know Me' and 'ASAP'. Two years later, T.I. received two nominations at that year's Grammy Awards, for Best Song Collaboration (for his track 'Soldier', with Lil' Wayne and Destiny's Child) and for Best Rap Solo Performance (for 'U Don't Know Me').

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