T.I.  (July 2007) | Interview By: Eddie Gurrola

       Dubcnn linked up with “The King Of The South,” T.I., for an exclusive interview. In this Q&A session, we discuss a variety of different topics. T.I. gives us his take on the current state of hip-hop, and explains his comments for Oprah's attack on rappers. We also speak about his versatility as an artist, staying relevant in the rap game, and his reason behind continually updating his delivery and flow. In addition to all of this, we discuss his upcoming projects, including the new collaboration album with DJ Toomp, and the film "American Gangster" that he co-starring in, alongside Denzel Washington.


T.I. also reveals to us that he already has another album completed and ready to be released, and gives us some hints as to who might appear on it!.


As always we have both the transcript and the audio for you to check and please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: eddiegurolla@dubcnn.com

 

Interview was done in July 2007.

Questions Asked By : Eddie Gurrola

T.I. Gave Dubcnn.com A Shoutout! Check That Here

Full Interview In Audio For Download : Here

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dubcnn: So, your “T.I. vs. T.I.P.” album just came out. What’s your favorite song from the record?

Man, I can’t pick a favorite! The whole album…it’s part of my life – from the time that the last album came out to the time that I finished this one. [It] narrated that period of my life.


Dubcnn: What’s your take on the current state of hip-hop?

Man, I feel that we’re [currently] in the best place we’ve been in, and probably one of the worst places we’ve been in. There’s so many different ways to get paid, [and] so much money to be made, but you’re competing with so many different people now.

It’s so oversaturated. So many people [are] blocking the dial up for somebody that probably should have been selling records. Radio is only going to play so many rap records. There’s people who ain’t on a professional level [who are] clogging the pipelines up for people [that] are on [that] professional level. I guess it’s creating a “traffic jam,” if you will!


Dubcnn: OK, I see what you’re saying! As one of the most popular and best-selling artists in hip-hop today, do you ever feel that you’re carrying a lot of the weight on your shoulders to drag hip-hop out of the sales rut it’s currently in?

I know that I’m carrying the weight on my shoulders, but that’s what comes with being King. You can’t say something like “you’re the king” without expecting to carry the weight on your shoulders. But, I invite that challenge. I embrace that, because I know that’s what makes me different from other people. I know God would never put you in a position that you [couldn’t] handle. So, if I had been put in a position where I had more weight put on my shoulders, it’s probably because I’m stronger than everybody else. So, I’m cool with that.


Dubcnn: That’s a good way to look at it. So, you commented on Oprah’s attack on hip-hop on your song “Touchdown” on the new album. Did you feel that it was your responsibility to address the topic?

Yeah, absolutely. I’ve always been one to speak how I feel. Just like I told you, this whole album is a narration of my thoughts, my feelings, and my experiences throughout this period of time in my life. That was just one of the things I was dealing with, and those were some of the feelings and the thoughts that I had about it. I was just speaking honestly; I wasn’t trying to be malicious.


Dubcnn: You’re one of the few artists that can pull off being on an aggressive, hardcore track, and then appear on a Justin Timberlake track without hurting your image or appearing to “sell out.” What do you feel is the key to being so versatile as an artist?

Being diversified, [and] having a lot of life experiences to draw from.


Dubcnn: Alright, so you’ve been jumping on a lot of major remixes lately, like the “Make It Rain Remix” and “I’m A Flirt Remix.” You had the “Top Back” remix for the “King” album, so are we going to see one of those big, all-star remixes for a song on this album?

Yeah, absolutely! We’ve got to pick that record, and we’re gonna go with it.


Dubcnn: Do you have any idea which track you’re going to pick yet?

Naw man, not yet. I don’t know!


Dubcnn: Have you picked the next single for the album?

Well, the second single is “You Know What It Is.” The third and the fourth singles will be [from] the T.I. section [of the album.] I’ve just got to see which one adequately associates with the peoples’ demand.


Dubcnn: I’m definitely feeling that track with Nelly, it seems like it could be a big hit…

Right on man! I love that track as well.


Dubcnn: There’s been a noticeable change in your delivery and flow over the years, all the way from your first album until now. How important is it to keep it fresh for your audience?

It’s mandatory man, in order to stay in a position of power. You’ve got to keep re-inventing yourself, [and keep] finding new ways to deliver what the fans like about you to them.


Dubcnn: Is that something you consciously address on a regular basis? How to stay relevant?

I’m always relevant. Even when I ain’t got a song out, or my songs ain’t primarily on the radio, people still feel the need to want to talk about me and what I’m doing, where I’m going, who I’m with, what I’m wearing, [and] how I feel. So, I don’t have to stay relevant. I feel the need to do that (change up the flow) in order to challenge myself. I’ve already done the things that I’ve done. All that’s left to do now is [be] better. I can’t do better without challenging myself.


Dubcnn: You’ve announced plans for an entire album with DJ Toomp behind the boards. Tell us a little bit about that…

Me and Toomp have spoken about that. We weren’t able to work with each other on this album just because the songs that we did, and the sessions that we recorded with one another didn’t make the [final cut]. I guess we just have to agree [on] what it takes to make that happen, and make it happen.


Dubcnn: Is that going to be the next album you’re going to put out?

I would love to make it the next album I put out, but I don’t know. I would love to make it the next album! It depends on how soon we can come to an agreement on what it takes to make that happen.


Dubcnn: We heard some rumors that you might be taking a hiatus before your next album. Is that true?

I mean man, I ain’t in no hurry. I ain’t in no hurry to put out another album. I’m in a hurry to put out Young Dro’s second album, Big Kuntry’s first album, [and] DJ Drama’s album. I’m in a hurry to complete the movies that we’re working on at Grand Hustle Films as producers. I’m in a hurry to launch my clothing line, between October and February. You know what I’m sayin’? [There’s] so much other business to be done that I can’t just isolate myself to music. But I do have an album, completed and ready to go, and I will not stop recording.


Dubcnn: You’ve already got another one completed?

Yeah, I’ve got one ready right now!


Dubcnn: But you might just hold it off for a while until some of this other stuff comes out?

Yeah, I just hold it up. I’m gonna be ever-present in pop culture though. I will be present! I ain’t gonna be on no milk cartons nowhere! You will see me. It just might be a second before I put out another album.


Dubcnn: What’s your eventual goal for Grand Hustle as a company? Do you see it eventually becoming one of the biggest rap labels, and as a multimedia type company?

Why do you say “rap label”? Why can’t it just be the biggest label around? I think we’ve got the potential of being a Bad Boy or a LaFace. We’ve got the same potential as any other successful label has had.


Dubcnn: There were songs announced for the “T.I. vs. T.I.P.” album that featured R. Kelly, Akon, and Lil’ Wayne that didn’t end up on the record…

Yeah, I told you I had another album done!


Dubcnn: Are those tracks going to be saved for the next album?

Yeah, probably. I told you I had an album done. We’ve got a song with JT that I didn’t get to [release] this time around, [and also] songs I did with Lil’ Wayne, Akon, Scarface, [and] Young Dro. I’ve got at least 30 songs left over from this album.


Dubcnn: So you’re probably going to use those tracks for the next album instead of putting them out on a mixtape?

I mean, I’m gonna put [some] of them out on the next album. It’s not like I’m not going to do any new recordings for the next album. I still record every time I’m in the studio. Whenever I’m in Atlanta, I’m usually recording.


Dubcnn: Everyone enjoyed your work in the movie “ATL.” Are you going to be starring in any other movies in the near future?

We’ve got “American Gangster” [coming] out November 2nd, co-starring Common, The RZA, Cuba Gooding Jr., [and] Idris Elba. [editor’s note – not to mention Denzel Washington!] It’s tons of different black actors doing their thing, and it’s the most prolific black gangster picture that’s ever hit the screen.


Dubcnn: Yeah, it seems like a great movie from the trailer. We’re about done, so is there anything else you would like to say to all the readers on Dubcnn?

Oh man, just thank you! Thank you for all your continued support, from day one. I’m a person who’s been put in my position from the fans. I’m a fan favorite who made it. I’m an underdog who actually assumed the level of success that everyone’s seen here. I’m thankful for that; I’m definitely gracious, for real.