Biography
Date of Birth
25 December 1980, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Birth Name
Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.
Nickname
King Of The South
Rubberband Man
T.I.P
Height
5' 8" (1.73 m)
Mini Biography
T.I. was born Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. on September 25, 1980, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Violeta Morgan and Clifford "Buddy" Harris, Sr. He is also known as T.I.P. and "Rubberband Man". T.I. is from the streets of Westside Bankhead Zone 1 in Atlanta. His original stage name, T.I.P., it stems from his childhood nickname "Tip", given by his grandfather. He later changed it to T.I. out of respect for label mate Q-Tip. He was dubbed "the Jay-Z of the South" by Pharrell Williams, T.I. gradually established himself as one of rap's greatest and most successful MCs during the early 2000s. T.I. has been active with helping the community especially with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, T.I. worked with troubled youths at Paulding Detention Center in Atlanta, provided scholarships for single parent families at Boys and Girls Clubs. He has had successful movies roles such as: ATL (2006) and most notably American Gangster(2007) along side Denzel Washington.
Trivia
Won for the best dressed man at the 2005 BET awards.
He increased his growing street credibility by collaborating with Tupac, Baby, and Bonecrusher.
His sophomore album "Trap Muzik" debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 Charts while "Urban Legend" debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip- Hop Albums.
On Urban Legend's "Why U Mad At Me," T.I. makes a reference to the legal problems that landed him in jail, and the somewhat overzealous efforts by police officers determined to make him pay his debt to society.
First album with Atlantic Records, "Trap Muzik", had 3 hit singles off of it..24's, Rubberband Man, and Lets Get Away.
Started rapping at age 9, signed a record deal at 19 and released one major-label album (I'm Serious, Arista, 2001) before he joined Atlantic with his own Grand Hustle imprint.
Owns New Finish Construction with his uncle, which builds and repairs homes in Atlanta's less fortunate neighborhoods
He doesn't like champagne.
His favorite actress is Angela Bassett.
One of his favorite TV shows is Friends.
He originally called himself "T.I.P." but he changed his name to avoid confusion with Q-Tip
has his own record label,Grand Hustle Entertainment.
his group P$C (Pimp Squad Click) contains the members Mac Boney,Big Kuntry King,and AK
Won for the best street anthem from his smash hit "Rubberband Man" at the 2004 Vibe awards.
Won for the best street anthem from his smash hit "You Don't Know Me" at the 2005 Vibe awards.
Co-CEO of Grand Hustle Records
He co-executive produced the soundtrack to the hit film Hustle and Flow and released the collection through Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records.
His new album 'King' debuted number 1 on Billboard 200 chart on April 4, 2006 selling over 520,000 copies. His first movie 'ATL' was rank #3.
Is good friends with other rappers like Jay-Z, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Jeezy, Young Buck, B.G., and Lil' Wayne.
Has had beef with rappers Lil' Flip, and Ludacris.
Raised over $263,000 for rapper David Banner's "Heal the Hood" foundation
Was called by Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes "The Jay-Z of the South"
Won "Best Male Hip-Hop Artist" at the 2006 BET Awards, and came in second place for "Viewers Choice."
Wrote lyrics for rappers Shad Moss, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, and Lil' Kim.
Won best rap solo song and rap/sung collaboration at the 2007 Grammy Awards.
Appeared on Forbes' "Hip Hop Cash Kings" list with $16 million in earnings. [2007]
Was a strong supporter for helping in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
In August of 2008, T.I. earned himself his first #1 hit when his second single, "Whatever You Like" from his sixth album 'Paper Trail' soared from #71 to #1 in a single week on the Billboard Hot 100.
Son Major Philant Harris was born in May 2008. Mother is Tiny Harris.
Engaged to Tiny Harris (2002-2008).
Has 7 children: sons, Messiah YaMajesty Harris (b. February 2, 2000) & Domani Uriah Harris (b. March 16, 2001) with 1st ex-girlfriend, LaShon Dixon, daughter, Deyjah Imani Harris (b. June 17, 2001) with 2nd ex-girlfriend, Ranniqua and son, King C'Andre Harris (b. August 25, 2004), daughter, Leyah Amore Harris (March 21, 2007), son, Major Philant Harris (b. May 16, 2008) & daughter, Heiress Diana Harris (b. March 26, 2016) with wife, Tiny Harris.
Was sentenced to a year and a day of prison in relation to his arrest in 2007, when he was caught trying to buy an arsenal of guns from an undercover FBI agent. [March 2009]
Is good friends with Rapper Nelly, whom appears on his reality-t.v. show T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle.
Working on his 4th album "The King". [January 2006]
T.I. is working on his 5th album "T.I. v.s. T.I.P" which it set to be released by the end of the year. [January 2007]
His 4th album "King" is released. [March 2006]
Finishing up his fifth album T.I. vs T.I.P. which will be released July 3. [April 2007]
T.I. is released from prison after serving a year and day. He's recording tracks for his upcoming seventh album which is scheduled to be released in August. [April 2010]
Released the soundtrack for Hustle & Flow. [July 2005]
Stars in Chris Robinson's feature Film A-T-L- [March 2006]
Filming Ridley Scott's American Gangster (2007) with co-stars Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in New York City. [September 2006]
Turned down the role of T.K. in The Single Moms Club (2014).
Son-in-law of Pamela Harris.
Trademarks:
Usually wears sunglasses
Earlier in his career he can be seen sporting eyeglasses with a toothpick in his mouth
Shown wearing his hat leaning to the left
Quotes
About his album King, "This album is a solidification of why I call myself The King of the South."
About how he got his nickname Rubberband Man, "I'm the Rubber Band Man. It's basically about being back in the Trap, like when we start our day, we might have two, three, rubber bands on our wrist. According to how much dope we had to sell. By the end of the day, if we sold all our dope we don't have any more rubber bands around our wrists cause they wrapped around money. So the Rubber Band Man is just my little way of holding on to that lifestyle just a little bit. I ain't selling no more dope, but I'm still wrapping rubber bands around money."
On how he came up with the lyrics for his album Trap Muzik, "This is a paperless album. I don't write nothing down. Just listen to the beat for a minute like this right here.. and get in the booth and lay it down."
He's one of the most charismatic guys next to me you will find in the south. The best rapper next to me. - On his protégé, rapper Young Dro
