Posts Tagged ‘T.I.’

2008 was the Year of Hip-Hop for me, with artists such as Nas, The Game, Birdman, and Omarion stepping in front of my lens. So when T.I. walked into SlickforceStudio in October of that same year, I was ready for anything. “Whatever You Like” and “Live Your Life” were on the radio, and he couldn’t have been more popular. As with any artist, sometimes that comes with it’s share of drama or difficulty, but not with King of the South Tip Harris.

T.I. was joking with the models the entire time, probably to ease the tension (they were, after all, in their underwear), and when his song coincidentally starting playing on our streaming internet radio feed, he sang along and even got a bit goofy with the video camera. When my stylist suggested a shirt to him that he clearly hated, he looked at her, and in classic southern gentleman fashion, replied, “If you really want me to wear that, I will, but I won’t be happy in it.”  That was a welcome relief to the last artist I shot who said “F*ck no.”

With high-profile celebs, you don’t have much time. Their people keep them on a tight schedule. I had about two hours with T.I., including make-up and grooming. And as with the majority of magazine work, your art must be compromised with what they need to sell mags. So this certainly wasn’t the most creative shoot I’d ever done, but I tried to get a few character shots that were different from the “tough as nails” look you always see in rapper pics.  So I asked him to hold the coffee cup and choke on his coffee, as if the girls making out on the couch were distracting him.  All in all, I’m not sure this editorial had any coherence or even made sense, but it’s always a dice roll. I was, however, happy with the shot of T.I. and model Daphne Joy above. In hindsight, I wish I had cheated him a bit more to camera, since some people just look at Daphne’s boobs and don’t even know that’s T.I.

Black Men magazine, December/January 2009 issue.
Cover and eight-page cover story, pages 44–51. Photographed by Nick Saglimbeni in Los Angeles.

T.I.
CHANTA
DAPHNEY
Photography: NICK SAGLIMBENI
Makeup: GABRIELA RAMOS
Hair: TONY JONES
Styling: MARCUS BLASSINGAME and DIANA CHAN
Assistant Styling: SHARRI JONES and ALISHA JOHNSON
Location: SLICKFORCE STUDIO, LOS ANGELES

As printed: FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: WWW.TRAPMUZIK.COM, WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TRAPMUZIK, WWW.STREETCRED.COM

King of the South

By Tiffany L. Jones. Pages 48–51.

“Opportunities present themselves and I take advantage of them.” –T.I.

Despite his unfortunate circumstances and dealings with the law, Clifford “Tip” Harris Jr. (a.k.a “T.I.”) has managed to turn a setback into success. With a platinum album titled Paper Trail; a record label, Grand Hustle; various development and real estate projects; several movies; an MTV documentary series in the works; a clothing line, you name it, T.I. has his hands in it. “Walk with God, not with guns,” is the response T.I. gives when asked what’s the most valuable lesson that he’s learned. This multi-talented rapper and entrepreneur learned his lesson and now he’s using his past to propel his future, not only as a rapper, but as a social activist and a role model as well.

T.I. had the lead role in the movie ATL and also appeared alongside Ruby Dee and Denzel Washington in American Gangster. Most recently he was part of the hour-long film titled, Walking With Guns, which aired and was screened in Atlanta. “Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young came up with the concept and asked me to be involved and I was eager to do so,” says the Grammy-winning artist. In the film T.I. is shown visiting a rehabilitation hospital in New York to meet patients victimized by gang violence. The film also shows T.I. and Young telling youth how to avoid violence, and follows a former gang member who is now a social activist. The film, which is part of a series called Andrew Young Presents, is expected to air on TV stations nationwide. “Violence would still be around without guns,” T.I. says to over 400 attendees during a question-and-answer session after the screening. “But there would be an increased value of life.”

How old were you when you realized that you wanted to be an entertainer and who were your influences? I started rapping at nine and realized I could make money doing it at age 10. I was influenced by rappers like Tupac, Run-DMC, Rakim, and Slick Rick, to name a few.

Who if anyone do you credit for your success thus far? My manager and partner, Jason Jeter, and my family and close friends. Also a DJ in Atlanta, Greg Street; he was the first one to play my music when everyone else felt I shouldn’t be on the radio. Also KP, he signed me when I was just a little guy hustling in the street. And, last but not least, DJ Toomp. He was the first producer I ever worked with and the most successful southern producer in my opinion.

What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment thus far? Taking all the negativity and turning it into something positive and being able to help people in the process.

What motivates or inspires you? I have six kids and so many people who depend on me to do well so that they can do well; that really motivates me. I also employ a lot of people and support a lot of people. I am here to help others.

Do you ever get tired of taking care of folks? I never get tired of it. In life we all have a purpose and that’s a part of mine so it’s cool.

Do you enjoy doing the community service projects and speaking to the kids? I was doing stuff before this, but not as much or as often. I enjoy speaking to kids and encouraging them. It also allows me to speak to myself in the process.

What advice would you give to young guys out here carrying guns? The mind is as mighty as the sword. All I can say is, understand the situation and consider the consequences and weigh the risks versus the rewards. The punishment can be severe so it’s important to understand that and then think about whether or not it’s really worth it.

How would you say your most recent album, Paper Trail, differs from your previous albums? I think it’s more reflective, introspective and intellectual.

For Paper Trail you went back to writing down all of your lyrics. Do you think this may have contributed to your enormous success on this album? I think so; it allowed me to reinvent myself and search for a new sound.

You launched the social networking site www.streetcred.com earlier this year. What motivated you to start this site and who is involved with the day-to-day operation of it? Rocky W. is involved with the day-to-day operation; he’s my partner. I started it because social networking sites are very lucrative and very useful to our lifestyle and I didn’t see anything like it out there except MySpace. MySpace is cool, but it isn’t as specifically nitched as streetcred, and it doesn’t cater solely to hip-hop culture. It welcomes us, but it’s not dedicated to us. This is a platform and an outlet for the hip-hop community.

How has the Internet contributed to your overall success? The Internet is the newest and quickest way to market you.

Tell me about Bone Deep. How involved were you with this film? It’s my first project as a producer and I’m very involved. We are still working on it. It will be released in 2009 or 2010.

Are your grooming other artists right now? BOB is a new artist we are developing. He has a very unique style and is very diversified in his skills. He also has amazing lyrical ability. Also, we’re working with Mac Bonie, who is one of the most hardcore rappers I’ve met; his skills are unmatched. And there’s Alpha Mega, and Young LA, who has a hot single, “Ain’t I,” which is doing very well, we are completing his album. 8-Ball and MJG are now on Grand Hustle and we are looking forward to presenting their project; they rep Memphis. We got Big Country, who already released an album and is working on the second. DJ Drama, who is working on his project now, is from Philly. JR Get Money, a 19 year old with phenomenal talent. He can put verses together and make a great song and great hooks, etc. We have a female rap group, Ecstasy; they write their own music and they get better and better. We also have Rico, Fantasia’s brother. He was on “Porn Star” on my album. He’s from the Carolinas; and there’s Young 3rd, who’s from Houston.

Tell me about some of the other projects you’re working on. I just left a site where I’m building a sports bar/restaurant. My uncle does the developing and he’s in construction; he can build anything. Opportunities present themselves and I take advantage of them.

Has the current state of the economy impacted you in any way? It’s impacted me because I’m in construction and real estate, and the banks aren’t giving loans anymore. We are developing land and properties and it is definitely hurting us a little. It’s hard to sell property now because people can’t get loans. I can get a loan, but no more two percent down, it’s now 20 percent. Record Stores aren’t doing as well either and retail stores are struggling, which is making it harder for me to push my clothing line. The economy is affecting everyone. ■

Fashion credits

Pages 44–45
TI: Eyewear-Marc Jacobs / Tuxedo-Ermengildo Zegna / T-Shirt-Salvage / Denim-Rock & Republic / Sneakers-Christian Dior Homme
Chanta: Pink bra and panties-Betsey Johnson / 18k gold earrings-GUY and EVA / Gold diamond ring-MISIS / Shoes-GUESS MARCIANO
Daphney: Magenta bra and panties-DKNY / Chain necklace-Femme Metale / Black cubic zirconium ring & blossom earrings-GUY and EVA / Stylist’s own shoes
TI COVER: Shirt-Akoo / Shades-Marc Jacobs / Jeans-Habitual

Pages 46–47
V-neck sweater-Isaia Napoli / Jeans-Habitual / Glasses-Marc Jacobs / Sneakers-Adidas / Belt-Prada Milano
Opposite page: Shades-Marc Jacobs / Hat-Ralph Lauren / Cardigan sweater-Ralph Lauren Purple Label / Shirt-Ermengildo Zegna / Jeans-PRPS

Page 48
Shades-Tom Ford / Shirt-Akoo / Jacket-Engedi Chang

Page 51
TI: Leather cycle jacket-Ermengildo Zegna / Shades-Marc Jacobs
Daphney: Black & cream lace dress-Dina Bar El / Antique onyx pendant necklace & blossom earrings-GUY and EVA