- Fri, 2006-06-09 10:28
US hip-hop's current golden boy, T.I is one busy guy. With his album King going straight in at number 1 in the Billboard chart with over half a million first week sales, King is the biggest US album of 2006 so far, and the biggest ever first week sales in Atlantic's Soundscan history! Not only that, T.I. is also tearing up the US box office, with his movie ATL the current number 3 movie and he’s the number 1 Hip Hop Artist listed on Myspace.
Following the success of his recent street track What You Know, T.I.s new single, Why You Wanna is out in June and I Like Music caught up with T.I. for a (very) brief chat.
“I Like Music because… it's honest and a representation of the person that’s delivering it to you. And it should be sincere from the heart and respected and reflective and entertaining as well." T.I.
ILM: Your new single, Why You Wanna is out soon. Can you give us your own personal description of it and its whole vibe?
T.I.: A young man who’s interested in a young lady who’s with a another young man who isn’t treating her as well as this fella thinks should be treated.
ILM: Of all the tracks on King, which one was the most fun to make in the studio?
T.I.: All the producers were great to work with and all the artists were great to work with and all the songs came out well.
ILM: You went straight in at #1 with King with over half a million first week sales - the biggest US album of 2006! Impressive stuff. Are you able to smell the roses and enjoy the journey of your success?
T.I.: Nah, not often, not that much. For the most part I’ve just got my head down, y’know what I’m sayin’.
ILM: Your movie ATL is doing well in the box office too, how did you get into acting and what was the highlight of making the movie for you?
T.I.: Just taking advantage of opportunities, finding different ways to get myself in. Once I found out it was being made I just hounded everybody until they gave me a shot. The highlight was just entering another industry of entertainment.
ILM: The internet is a useful tool for artists these days. You’re the #1 Hip Hop Artist listed on Myspace. What’s your view on the web?
T.I.: I definitely appreciate reaching people across the world through a computer, it’s definitely a huge outlet for me and my company.
ILM: The Neptunes co-produced your King album and Pharell has called you the Jay Z of the South, do you like being the King? And if you really ruled a country, what rule would you pass?
T.I.: I’d just want to be fair to everybody. Equal opportunities
ILM: You’re clearly an incredible talent, can you describe the T.I. process of making such great hip hop music?
T.I.: There’s no method to the music it happens a lot of different ways.
ILM: Are you continuously searching for the Holy Grail that is the perfect song?
T.I.: Yeah absolutely, every time I make one.
ILM: You’ve done a lot of work for the Heal The Hood foundation, and various community projects and won last year's Lisa Lopez award for groundbreaking achievement in musical and community service. How important do you think it is for those in the public eye to use their celebrity to do good and make a difference in the world?
T.I.: Yeah, with great reward comes with great responsibility.
ILM: Can you tell us about who you’ve got coming out on Grand Hustle and who are your tips for the top?
T.I.: Young Joe, DJ Drama the hottest mixtape DJ in the US releasing an official album on Grand Hustle, we also have Big Crusha Cane and so on and so forth.
ILM: You’ve already had plenty of experience in the industry. Any tips or advice for budding artists and producers starting out?
T.I.: Be hot and work hard is my best advice.
ILM: Can you describe your favourite place on earth?
T.I.: My favourite place is home, my house in my bed in front of my TV.
ILM: If you just want to chill out, what track or album do you stick on?
T.I.: It could range from Stevie Wonder’s greatest hits to Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Danny Hathaway, lots of different stuff.
