T.I. (born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. on September 25, 1980) is an American rapper, songwriter, record executive, producer, actor, and entrepreneur from Atlanta, Georgia. Known professionally as T.I. or Tip, he became one of the defining Southern hip-hop artists of the 2000s and helped bring Atlanta's trap-oriented sound to a broad national audience. His music combines street narratives, polished flows, melodic hooks, and an interest in social and political issues.
Harris began rapping as a child and developed his reputation in Atlanta before signing with LaFace Records in the late 1990s. His first major-label album, *I'm Serious*, appeared in 2001 but failed to achieve significant commercial success. After leaving the label, he continued building momentum through independent releases and eventually signed with Atlantic Records. His second album, *Trap Muzik* (2003), established a more distinctive artistic identity. Its dark, atmospheric production and detailed accounts of hustling, ambition, and survival became important reference points for the developing trap style.
T.I. followed with *Urban Legend* in 2004, an album that balanced Southern rap credibility with increasingly accessible singles. His breakthrough reached a new level with *King* (2006), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Led by "What You Know," the album presented Harris as both a forceful street rapper and a confident mainstream star. "What You Know" won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, one of three Grammy wins credited to T.I. during his career. His public claim to the title "King of the South" also became a recurring theme in discussions of his influence and competitive position within hip-hop.
The ambitious *T.I. vs. T.I.P.* followed in 2007, while *Paper Trail* (2008) became his most commercially successful period. The album included the number-one singles "Whatever You Like" and "Live Your Life," the latter featuring Rihanna, as well as "Dead and Gone" with Justin Timberlake. These records expanded his audience beyond rap while retaining his characteristic Southern cadence and assertive delivery. His work on "Swagga Like Us," alongside Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne, earned another Grammy win.
T.I.'s rise was interrupted by federal weapons charges and probation violations that resulted in periods of incarceration in 2009 and 2010. He addressed the disruption through music and public appearances, later returning with albums including *No Mercy* (2010), *Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head* (2012), *Paperwork* (2014), *The Dime Trap* (2018), and *The L.I.B.R.A.* (2020). His later work often moved between veteran self-assessment, contemporary collaborations, and commentary on race and American power. The *Us or Else* project in 2016 was especially direct in its engagement with the Black Lives Matter movement and social inequality.
As an executive, T.I. founded Grand Hustle Records and supported artists associated with Atlanta's expanding rap ecosystem. He also pursued acting, beginning with a leading role in the Atlanta-set film *ATL* (2006). Further appearances included *American Gangster*, *Takers*, *Ant-Man*, *Entourage*, and *Monster Hunter*. His screen work complemented a broader entertainment career that included television, fashion, and business ventures.
In 2026, T.I. released *Kill the King*, which he described as his final album. The project marked the latest chapter in a career defined by commercial reach, entrepreneurial ambition, and a lasting influence on the sound and stature of Atlanta hip-hop.
Category:Biographies Category:Rappers Category:American musicians Category:American actors