Book T.I.

Family Production Agency – T.I. Booking Agent

T.I. Biography :

T.I. released his debut album, I’m Serious, in October 2001 through Arista Records.  The album spawned the eponymous single, which featured Jamaican reggae entertainer Beenie Man. His his debut single, “I’m Serious,” was released on June 26, 2001. The single received little airplay and failed to chart. The album included guests appearances from Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes (who called him “the Jay-Z of the South”),  Jazze Pha, Too Short, Bone Crusher, Lil Jon, Pastor Troy, P$C and Youngbloodz. The album featured production from The Neptunes, DJ Toomp, Madvac, and The Grand Hustle Team. Despite the album’s guests appearances and production team, the album peaked at number 98 and only sold 163,000 copies in the United States.  Critics pointed to the fact that many of the tracks sounded the same and that a few were blatant rip-offs.  Other critics commented saying, “T.I. claims to be the king of the South, but fails to show and prove. He does, however, have potential. If his talent ever matches his confidence, he may be headed for stardom.”

Due to the poor commercial reception of the album, T.I. was dropped from Arista Records. He then formed Grand Hustle Entertainment and started releasing several mixtapes with the assistance of DJ Drama.  He resurfaced in the summer of 2003 with fellow Atlanta rapper and former label-mate Bone Crusher’s song “Never Scared.” His mixtapes and mainstream exposure from “Never Scared” eventually recaptured major label attention and he signed a joint venture deal with Atlantic Records.

In 2006, T.I. starred in his first film, ATL. The film also starred Lauren London, Big Boi, Evan Ross, Mykelti Williamson, Jason Weaver and Keith David, and was written by Tina Gordon Chism and Antwone Fisher, produced by Timothy M. Bourne, Tionne Watkins, and Will Smith, and directed by Christopher Robinson. T.I. played the character Rashad Swann, an orphaned high school senior. In its opening weekend, the film grossed a total of $11.5 million, ranking third in the United States box office, and went on to gross $21.2 million.

T.I.’s fourth album, King, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the first half of 2006, selling 522,000 copies in its first week.T.I. released “Front Back” and “Ride with Me” as a promotional singles prior to the release of the album. The singles garnered little attention, but helped to promote not only the album, but also T.I.’s debut movie ATL. The album also included the singles, “What You Know,” “Why You Wanna,” and “Live in the Sky,” plus a remix of “Top Back.” King earned numerous awards and nominations including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. He was also featured in the single “Shoulder Lean” by Young Dro reaching the top ten on the U.S. Hot 100 and #1 on the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Tracks.

T.I. at the 2006 Summer Jam concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania”What You Know” won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and was nominated for Best Rap Song at the 49th Grammy Awards. Also that year, T.I. collaborated with Justin Timberlake for “My Love,” which proved to be a worldwide hit, and won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration with Justin Timberlake at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards  and also won Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the BET Awards for the second straight time. He then served as a featured performer on “We Takin’ Over” by DJ Khaled also featuring Akon, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Birdman and Lil Wayne.

T.I. released his fifth album, T.I. vs. T.I.P., on July 3, 2007. The first single from the album was “Big Things Poppin’ (Do It),” which was produced by Mannie Fresh and was released to radio stations on April 17, 2007. The second single, “You Know What It Is” featuring Wyclef Jean, was released June 12, 2007. T.I. vs. T.I.P. sold 468,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was T.I.’s second chart-topper in a row: King opened at number one on the Billboard 200 with 522,000 copies in late March 2006.  The album included guest performances by Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Nelly, and Eminem, and production by Eminem, Jeff Bass, Mannie Fresh, Grand Hustle, The Runners, Just Blaze, Wyclef Jean and Danja. Absent from this album’s production lineup were T.I.’s longtime producer DJ Toomp and The Neptunes. In October 2007, T.I. released his third single, “Hurt,” featuring Busta Rhymes and Alfamega.

T.I. also appeared in the Ridley Scott film American Gangster alongside Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe with fellow rappers Common and RZA  and was featured on the soundtrack.  He also teamed up with Chevrolet and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for a TV commercials.

On October 13, 2007, federal authorities arrested T.I. four hours before the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta.  He was charged with two felonies — possession of three unregistered machine guns and two silencers, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The arrest was made in the parking lot of a downtown shopping center, which a witness identified as the Walgreens drug store at the corner of North and Piedmont Avenues. Harris was arrested after allegedly trying to purchase the guns from a “cooperating witness” with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. According to federal officials, the witness had been cooperating with authorities since Wednesday, when he was arrested on charges of trying to purchase guns from a federal agent. The witness had been working as Harris’ bodyguard since July, authorities said.  T.I. walked out of the Atlanta United States District Court after appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan J. Baverman on October 26, 2007. Judge Alan J. Baverman required T.I. post a $3 million bond, $2 million in cash and $1 million in equity on property he owns. The rapper was required to remain at home except for medical appointments and court appearances. The only people allowed to live with him were his girlfriend and children. Visitors were required to be approved by the court.

Entertainment Request Form