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Born Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., T.I. began his relationship with hip-hop at the age of seven; by the time he was eleven, T.I. had decided that he will pursue hip-hop as a career. Apart from working as a vocal, T.I. also did some songwriting for artists like Bow Wow (uncredited), Diddy, and Lil' Kim. In 1999, at the age of 19, T.I. signed his first record deal. He moved to Arista Records two years later, releasing his solo debut album âI'm Seriousâ under their label.
âI'm Seriousâ did not sell as well as the label hoped, prompting them to drop T.I. from their roster and refusing to release music videos to further promote the album. T.I. defiantly made a video for one of its tracks âDope Boyâ, which, despite not getting official airplay, could be found on YouTube. Following the label drop, he focused his attention and talent onto recording mix tapes, which gave him a strong underground fanbase. In 2003, T.I. recorded a mainstream song with Bonecrusher, renewing interest in him as an artist.
T.I. took advantage of the attention and released his second major album that same year. âTrap Muzikâ (released under Grand Hustle Records) debuted at number four on the charts and spawned the singles â24'sâ, âBe Easyâ, âLet's Get Awayâ and the Vibe Award-winning âRubberband Manâ. The album, compared to his debut, was a very big success. T.I. refused to rest on his laurels, following âTrap Muzikâ up with âUrban Legendâ in 2004.
âUrban Legendâ debuted at number seven and peaked at number one on the charts and spawned the Grammy-nominated âU Don't Know Meâ crossover hit âBring 'Em Outâ, which the NBA basketball team Miami Heat uses to introduce its starting lineup; it later went platinum. The following year, T.I. reinforced his reputation as a talented artist by appearing as a guest vocal in the Destiny's Child international hit âSoldierâ, receiving a Grammy nomination for that performance.
In 2006, T.I.'s âKingâ debuted on the charts at number one and went platinum a month later. Its first single, âWhat You Knowâ, won T.I. a Grammy and the title of 2006's Top Song in VIBE magazine. On top of that, a collaboration with Justin Timberlake won him another Grammy for that same year.
T.I. is due to release his next album âT.I. vs T.I.P.â on July 2007.
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