T. I. Biography - Musicians

 
 

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T. I.

Name: Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr.                                                     
Also known as Tip Harris                                                               
Born: 25 September 1980 Atlanta, Georgia, United States                               
Genre(s): Hip hop, Gangsta rap, Hyphy                                                 
Occupation(s): Rapper, songwriter, actor, record, executive producer                   
                                                                                       
Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. (born September 25, 1980), better known by his stage       
name T.I., and also by his alter ego T.I.P., is an American rapper, songwriter,       
actor, record, philanthropist, and executive producer as well as the co-CEO of         
Grand Hustle Records.                                                                 
                                                                                       
T.I. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in the Bankhead neighborhood of         
Atlanta, Georgia, the son of Violetta Morgan and Clifford Harris Sr. His               
original stage name, T.I.P., stems from his childhood nickname "Tip", which he         
got from his grandfather. T.I. was first exposed to hip-hop at the age of seven,       
and by the time he was 11 he had decided to pursue a career in rap seriously; he       
signed his first record deal at age 19.                                               
                                                                                       
Due to his Southern drawl, many fans mistook his name for "Chip", so he began         
spelling it out "T.I.P". Upon signing with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace           
Records in 2001, he shortened his name to T.I. out of respect for label mate Q-Tip.   
                                                                                       
He is also known to go by "Rubberband Man" and the self-proclaimed "King of the       
South" (which has created several cases of controversy between other southern         
rappers, such as Lil' Flip and Ludacris). T.I. wrote about 30% percent of Bow         
Wow's third album Unleashed as well the third verse and chorus to "Let's Get           
Down". He has written lyrics for other artists such as Diddy and Trina.               
                                                                                       
T.I. is known for his rapid-fire delivery of lyrics. There has been some               
noticeable change in the way he delivers his lyrics throughout his career.             
Earlier on, he flowed in a slow-like, southern fashion which can be heard in           
songs like "I'm Serious", "24's" and "Never Scared". In the second era of his         
career, he sounded more relaxed and laid back (ex. "Bring Em Out", "Soldier", "What   
You Know", "U Don't Know Me" & "ASAP"). Later on in his career, his flow went         
from a slow and drowsy effect (ex. "Top Back" and "Drive Slow") to a faster flow       
which can be heard in "We Takin Over", Touch, "My Love", "Make It Rain Remix"         
and "I'm a Flirt remix".