T.I. Says Atlantic Records Hates His New Positive Image

[keone]

The Atlanta based rapper who built his career as a hard core, drug pushing southern king has now adopted a family-friendly image that hasn’t scored him too much attention or money in recent years. T.I., Born Clifford Harris, went from writing rhymes about his endeavors in crime to releasing albums with a more nostalgic and introspective theme about his past life. T.I. explains that his longtime label, Atlantic Records, wasn’t too thrilled about the rappers drastic turnaround.

T.I. explained in an interview with XXL that his sales have dropped compared to his successful sales in the mid-2000′s and has become less popular among young kids. Many artists have seen a similar fall because of illegal downloading, but Atlantic felt T.I.’s mature and fatherly like character was hurting the well respected “thug” image he’s gained over the years.

“Nah, [Atlantic Records] hated it,” T.I. said. “Labels love hardcore T.I. That keeps the cash register ringing. They don’t want me to go to prison and caught, though. They want me to be the ‘Teflon Don,’ and I can’t blame them.”

That s–t’s sexy. But I’m older, man. I’m wiser, I’m calmer,” he further explains. “I’m better, stronger. I’m ready for whatever tomorrow got coming.”

T.I. announced before that he was walking away from music, solely because of the poor record sales acquired by his first studio album, I’m Serious.

“I thought I’d be in prison or dead or back selling crack,” said T.I. “I came so close to getting back in the game after my first album didn’t do what it was supposed to do. I still had people to feed. I wasn’t front lines like I was at one time, but I definitely … [pauses] I’m not going to talk anymore about that.”

T.I had been into running forces with the law on plenty occasions. In 2007, Harris was arrested and charged with possession of three machine guns and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to serve a year in prison.

Soon after his release, T.I. was arrested yet again on drug charges. Harris’ legal troubles made for great headlines and great stories for the album he released after his arrests, titled Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head.

T.I.’s family oriented TV show, T.I & Tiny: The Family Hustle, which airs on VH1 is another reason for T.I’s image becoming what it is today. The show features T.I. giving advice to his children about teenage situations, and shows him really involved in his wife Tiny their kids’ lives.

Why does the media never respect when an African American man has a positive image?

http://blacklikemoi.com/2013/08/rapper-t-i-says-atlantic-records-hates-his-new-positive-image/

 

[soulcontroller]

Sadly he's right.

 

[Multi - Personality]

Why does the media never respect when an African American man has a positive image?

Props for Ballscout1 posting this vid:



Ballscout1's original post - http://www.bgol.us/board/showthread.php?t=748572

 

[34real]

He's not selling,period point blank.

Going to prison helps some but for him it did nothing but confirm whatever everyone who really knew him said.He's not really cut from that cloth so doing what he's doing now,should be easy because that's who he really is.

He's been trying to get a deal since KrissKross when he was 12,live your life and try to get that 75million or whatever outrageous figure he was asking for.

 

[shaddyvillethug]

And ima still bump trap Muzik

 

[Stick2dascript]

This is what goodie mob say, they like nigga shit.

 

[shaddyvillethug]

This ain't no album this ain't no game...

 

[keone]

He's not selling,period point blank.

Going to prison helps some but for him it did nothing but confirm whatever everyone who really knew him said.He's not really cut from that cloth so doing what he's doing now,should be easy because that's who he really is.

He's been trying to get a deal since KrissKross when he was 12,live your life and try to get that 75million or whatever outrageous figure he was asking for.

well he survived the first few times the last one killed him

 

[Coldchi]

just because this last album didnt go platinum, doesn't mean the nigga doesnt know how to make a hit. he can dish out relentless bangers if he wanted to.

 

[fabregas]

just because this last album didnt go platinum, doesn't mean the nigga doesnt know how to make a hit. he can dish out relentless bangers if he wanted to.

So why didn't he?

From the desk of Hiss Excellency.

 

[unknownsoldier]

It doesn't go both ways, he should've said this before the last album. Because he hyped that album up by saying he was going back to "his old self". So that doesn't work, you go out asking for $75M, then drop it to $50, now you're opening for Wayne (who you were bigger than prior to the first bid)...this just seems like sour grapes.

 

[BGLR1212000]

So why didn't he?

From the desk of Hiss Excellency.

Ti is at a crossroads where he wanna make the music he wants, but the recording companies only giving out money for "hits"

 

[D-TOWN REP]

And ima still bump trap Muzik

Period

And his album isnt doing too bad in the sales he will reach gold and had no real single

Gold is the new platinum

 

[fabregas]

Ti is at a crossroads where he wanna make the music he wants, but the recording companies only giving out money for "hits"

Makes sense.

 

[Alaskanredman]

It is over. It happens to 99% of artists but especially to black artists. Once an artists gets old the youth think their new music is wack just because they are old. Only option to keep money coming in is to go on legacy tours with your old shit. He is lucky that he has legit hits and real tracks instead of microwave music.

 

[D-TOWN REP]

It is over. It happens to 99% of artists but especially to black artists. Once an artists gets old the youth think their new music is wack just because they are old. Only option to keep money coming in is to go on legacy tours with your old shit. He is lucky that he has legit hits and real tracks instead of microwave music.

Yeah I mean the younger cats ain't fucking with TI and the older cats ain't buying his records anymore

You are right though he is lucky to have a nice catalog of real hits and some classics

Like I said though yet and still his sales aren't that damn bad considering the times

Everyone acting like he went wood

 

[nawlinsn931]

thats what he gets for doing what he's doing to young dro

 

[ShortyCumStain]

Yeah I mean the younger cats ain't fucking with TI and the older cats ain't buying his records anymore

You are right though he is lucky to have a nice catalog of real hits and some classics

Like I said though yet and still his sales aren't that damn bad considering the times

Everyone acting like he went wood

It ain't a whole lot of niggas nowadays that can even fathom makin' some of da good music that he has let alone making a piece of work like da Trap Muzik album was/is.

 

[Star]

just because this last album didnt go platinum, doesn't mean the ( Retarded, Lazy, Bastard ) doesnt know how to make a hit. he can dish out relentless bangers if he wanted to.

Fixed what you said

 

[D-TOWN REP]

It ain't a whole lot of niggas nowadays that can even fathom makin' some of da good music that he has let alone making a piece of work like da Trap Muzik album was/is.

Exactly

 

[K Luv]

Being on a reality show is positive image now? He was faking the drug dealing shit now he trying to be some bill Cosby shit. He just fell off man it happens accept it and move on. Quit blaming everyone else why the game changed bruh

 

[yaBoi]

positive don't sale now-a-days

 

[Varis]

positive don't sale now-a-days

It could sell, but they don't want positive young blacks. they want ignorant thugs and bad bitches

 

[Theo_Huxtable]

positive don't sale now-a-days

It does but unfortunately the majors just don't want to push it or give it any shine.​

 

[ShortyCumStain]

Being on a reality show is positive image now?

Yeah. Don't be fooled. He still be rappin' about da same shit he always has. He can't trick da folks that listens to him w/that positive shit he claimin'.

 

[K Luv]

But realistically when did positive ever sell? Maybe some will smith 20+ years ago. But is going out partying and having fun positive?? Bc the same ninjas saying positive dont sell will diss these party rappers saying there is no lyrics or this ain't real hip hop. I don't understand how Tip is some modern day role model all of a sudden.

It's not Atlantic fault that TI isn't as popular as he once was and honestly his last album still talking about shooting and same shit. That hustle gang album ain't no We are the world stuff. He's on tour with lil Wayne, where is this "positive" stuff he talking about?

 

[K Luv]

Yeah. Don't be fooled. He still be rappin' about da same shit he always has. He can't trick da folks that listens to him w/that positive shit he claimin'.

Exactly!

 

[mike123]

Many artists have seen a similar fall because of illegal downloading

artist that used to get away with puttin out trash like blaming downloads but movies get downloaded just as much if not more an they still breakin records every year

props to dude for tryin to be positive but the reality show, bein a snitch an not havin any bars might be whats hurtin his sales

 

[D-TOWN REP]

Yeah. Don't be fooled. He still be rappin' about da same shit he always has. He can't trick da folks that listens to him w/that positive shit he claimin'.

Just shows you how many people didn't listen to Trouble Man

That shit wasn't no Will Smith album

 

[TEN]

Has somebody said SALE instead of SELL in this thread yet? Cos it's gonna happen.

 

[tekk]

respect to that brother for making a positive change.

 

[8/11Streetz]

Sadly he's right.

a black man failing is america's favorite form of entertainment



i thought yall knew.........

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

well, go kill someone! then youll be re signed.

talking all that boss shit but youre afraid to be your own boss. rappers are thee worst.

 

[Silencer]

thats what he gets for doing what he's doing to young dro

What's he doing? (never really been into TI so I don't know...)

 

[jwilliam85]

All he had to do is say he is dropping one more album and is through with rap and niggas will be back on his nuts after a year or two with no Tip bars. Just like they do Andre3000