Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., who is better known as T.I., was born in 1980 and grew up in the streets of Atlanta, Georgia. It is said he had a pretty tough childhood, but he found solace in music. He started making music at an early age and was heavily influenced by hip-hop legends like Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. and Nas.
But T.I.’s style was always a little different, thanks to his unique blend of street smarts, lyrical skill and Southern charm that set him apart from other rappers of his era. Early on, he was part of the hip-hop collective P$C (Pimp Squad Click) and started making a name for himself in the Atlanta music scene.
While T.I.’s big break came in 2001 with the release of his debut album, I’m Serious, it was his second album, Trap Muzik, that really put him on the map. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it established T.I. as one of the leading figures in Southern hip-hop.
From there, T.I.’s career took off — with a string of successful albums, including Urban Legend, King and T.I. vs. T.I.P. He also collaborated with big-name artists like Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Justin Timberlake, and even started his own record label, Grand Hustle Records.
But T.I.’s talents don’t stop at music. He’s also a successful actor, with roles in movies like “ATL,” “American Gangster” and “Takers,” and appearances on TV shows like “Entourage” and “The Simpsons.” T.I. is even part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the role of Dave in Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp. He’s a true entrepreneur and a testament to the power of hard work and determination.
On this night, T.I. packed everything he could into an abbreviated set, spanning his impressive catalog as quickly and effectively as possible. Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” Drake’s “Fancy” and “Whatever You Like” earned some of the loudest ovations of the evening.
T.I. also performed “Bring Em Out” with help from the Washington Wizards dance team, which was fitting because the local professional basketball team used that particular track as its player entrance music for years. Another highlight of the night came courtesy of “Shoulder Lean,” which T.I. performed with Young Dro.
