By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Last year, around this time, the public was fed up with T.I. In 2008, he had defied the odds and had risen to become the most-popular rapper in the game. At the time, however, T.I. was awaiting trial for a gun charge he picked up the year before. Despite T.I. trying to defend himself, he was still found guilty and was sentenced to prison. Upon getting out, fans were eager to see T.I. pick up where he left off.
A free man, T.I. spoke to the public about the changes he intended to make for the better. T.I. sat down for a number of interviews with CNN, in which he discussed his business ventures. While not much new music came, T.I. seemed prepared to take the next step in his career. In the middle of this run, T.I. was caught with drugs in Los Angeles and he was sent back to prison.
Before going back to prison, T.I. promised fans he would do better, dedicating a song to his situation and changing the title of his album. Even with T.I. being behind bars when the album was released, he still managed to sell gold with his “comeback” album. When he was released, in 2011, T.I. was definitely a changed man, as he hit the ground running with the new music.
During his time in prison, VH1 reached out to T.I. for a reality show. Before he began his 2009 prison sentence, T.I. starred in a documentary series for MTV, “Road to Redemption.” Meanwhile, T.I.’s wife, Tiny, was one half of BET’s “Tiny & Toya,” which is now starring Toya. Upon being released from prison, T.I. began starring in “T.I & Tiny: The Family Hustle.” The first season has been highly successful, as episodes of the show have also been shared throughout the internet, leading VH1 to renew the show for a second season.
On the music front, T.I. has received plenty of support from DJ Drama and the resurgent Young Jeezy. The two have collaborated on the hit single, “F.A.M.E.,” from Young Jeezy’s TM103 and they have also teamed up for several mixtape tracks. Since T.I. has been away, the Atlanta hip hop scene has struggled. Currently, T.I. and Young Jeezy are focusing on re-gaining the crown Atlanta has seemingly surrendered to the Miami hip hop scene.
Throughout their careers, T.I. and Young Jeezy have always had a strong working relationship. The duo is currently considering taking this to the next level. T.I. revealed he is also considering working on a collaborative album with Young Jeezy. Already, T.I. is working on an album with his Grand Hustle artist, B.o.B., aside from his own Trouble Man album.
