On this date in Hip Hop History, the self-proclaimed “King of the South” released his sophomore album aptly titled Trap Muzik on Atlantic Records in conjunction with Tip’s newly formed Grand Hustle Records.
This was a big improvement from T.I.’s I’m Serious debut release, with guest appearances from the likes of Jazzy Pha, 8 Ball & MJG, Bun B, and T.I’s “In-house” producer DJ Toomp executive producing the album. Hit singles such as “Rubber Band Man,” “Be Easy,” and “Let’s Get Away” led T.I. to his first certified platinum plaque.
Also, T.I. introduced the concept of the “trap” in the album, revealing, “It’s another outlook on the trap. Before, trappin’ was cool, but now trappin’ ain’t cool. It’s necessary for some, but no, it ain’t cool – even if you are a hustler. All the hustlers I know – sellin’ dope is the last thing they wanna do. If you a real hustler, you gon’ move on to bigger and better things.”
Salute to T.I., Jason Geter, DJ Toomp, and everyone else involved with this timeless piece of Hip Hop history!
T.I. is one of many hip-hop figures advocating for Young Thug’s release amid the chaotic and controversial YSL RICO case. Recently, the Atlanta trap legend sent one of his torch-bearers some birthday well-wishes for Thugger’s 33rd trip around the Sun via his Instagram page. Not only that, but Tip’s comments predicting that the case might be over soon could actually turn out to be prophetic. Fani Willis’ Republican opponent for the Fulton County District Attorney race this year promised to dismiss the case if elected. While this is just a hypothetical situation, it did raise a lot of questions around whether or not this case will conclude with a verdict or with mistrials.
“Happy Birthday 2 my brother 4L King Spyda / Super Slizzy / Mr. Cleveland Ave / Thugga Thugga / The Iconic Prolific Legend himself Lil Jeff,” T.I. expressed to Young Thug. “Keep standing solid & Stay strong homie. Every storm will run out of rain & I can see a major comeback happening Can’t wait for u 2 touch back down so you can go put that ugggla** s**t on and I can send yo musty a** back to da dressing room wit that cheap ass bulls**t u be wearing…. [crying-laughing emoji] Tuh. Ain’t no question or no guessing in it jack!!! YKWTFGO wit US U DIGGG. #FamilyTies. @thuggerthugger1.”
Furthermore, T.I.’s message comes amid a lot of other birthday messages and initiatives for Young Thug, including an adorable video starring his kids to promote the SP5DER brand. Also, plenty of recent updates in the YSL RICO case threw viewers for a loop. Amid Lil Woody’s wild testimonies and various judge changes, there’s a lot to wade through and many elements to consider. Hopefully this all starts clearing up soon and we can see some more consistent, fair, and effective trial progress.
Meanwhile, one of Young Thug’s closest associates, Gunna, also wished him a happy birthday recently. This interested many fans because it added onto a lot of speculation around whether or not Wunna snitched on YSL and what their relationship looks like now. Although all signs point to the conclusion that they’re still cool, some fans still want a stronger conclusion. We’ll see if the near future holds anything important in that regard.
In the trailer for her new album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, Latto shared a snippet of a song sampling hometown hero T.I.’s 2003 breakout hit “24’s,” but when the album actually dropped last Friday (August 9), fans were disappointed to learn that the song wasn’t actually on the album. And while the album as a whole turned out to be delightful, garnering critical praise and impressive streaming numbers, there were still plenty of listeners who wanted to know where Latto’s “24’s” remake actually went.
Well, it sounds like Latto has seen their messages — actually, there’s a guarantee she’s seen at least one — and finally responded with a release date for the song, which is called “Chicken Grease.” It’s actually been added to the album, appearing on the “disc two” segment that contains the street anthems “Put It On Da Floor” and “Sunday Service” and their respective remixes. Fans are rejoicing that the song — which appeared as though it might have been held back for some reason — is finally out.
Some fans, however, are reading into the new lyrics, trying to determine if it contains more shots at Ice Spice, with whom Latto had a short-lived and uneventful feud ahead of their albums’ releases.
On August 8, the couple (real name Clifford and Tameka Harris) received news regarding this longstanding 2021 sexual assault lawsuit. According to AllHipHop, the case against them has been dismissed by a judge, a notion that the legal team of T.I. and Tiny argued for.
In the outlet’s report, it states Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett of United States District Court of California formally approved the case’s dismissal. A representative for the couple shared a statement with AllHipHop following the court’s decision.
“The court agreed with Tip and Tameka that Jane Doe doesn’t appear to have any viable claims,” said the rep. “As Tip and Tameka stated three years ago, these allegations are some of the many false, salacious allegations thrown out into the media in a cheap attempt to extort money from them.”
Although the sexual assault lawsuit were reportedly dismissed, it was supposedly dismissed without prejudice, meaning should the Jane Doe complainant wish to refile at a later time, she can.
In 2021, a filer’s (only named as Jane Doe) attorney came forward claiming to have at least 11 others who were victimized by the couple or their entourage. The attorney said the supposed victims cases were pushed off from being properly investigated because as the statute of limitations had passed. T.I. and Tiny have maintained their innocence.
T.I. went through some legal turmoil recently, as authorities reportedly arrested him in what might be a case of mistaken identity. However, after TMZ caught up with him in Beverly Hills on Thursday (August 8), fans now know that he doesn’t feel too pressed about it. “They was just doing they job,” the Atlanta legend remarked to the interviewer about his brief run-in with the police. “Upset by it? I try to get rid of emotion and deal with the facts at hand. So once you deal with the facts at hand, your emotions ain’t involved. I don’t know, man, I mean, it sucks to say man. But at least this time, man, it was minor injury, maximum lesson learned. It’s all good. I have no interest in politics, y’all be good.”
“This case highlights a concern that the State’s Attorney has raised previously and uncovers legislative changes that should be considered to ensure fair and appropriate use of the court commissioner’s office, including allowing input from our prosecutors before an arrest warrant is issued,” a Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office representative expressed concerning the T.I. case. “We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the issuance of charges and the warrant in this case.” There are still some doubts over whether this incident involved mistaken identity, though, as a woman accused him and Tiny of physical assault and harassment.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 27: T.I. performs onstage during the Scott Mills Intro Dinner to kick off the BET Awards 2024 Weekend at LAVO Hollywood on June 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET)
Speaking of T.I. and Tiny, the court recently dismissed a lawsuit against them alleging sexual assault. “The court agreed with Tip and Tameka that Jane Doe doesn’t appear to have any viable claims,” a spokesperson for the couple relayed to AllHipHop. “As Tip and Tameka stated three years ago, these allegations are some of the many false, salacious allegations [in] the media in a cheap attempt to extort money from them.”
“All the claims asserted in the Complaint are time-barred because the statute of limitations for such claims has long expired over sixteen years ago,” T.I. and Tiny’s attorneys posited. “Further, notwithstanding the fact that Defendants Clifford Harris (‘Mr. Harris’) and Tameka Harris (‘Mrs. Harris’) (collectively ‘Defendants’ or ‘Harrises’), deny that any of the alleged conduct even occurred, the Complaint fails to allege facts to sufficiently establish any of the claims alleged in the Complaint.”
Last week, T.I. was arrested for a case of mistaken identity as another man with the same name, Clifford Harris, had a warrant out for arrest. T.I. was tracked down by TMZ in Beverly Hills, who downplayed the issue and revealed that there were no hard feelings about the incident.
“They was just doin’ they job,” T.I. said, revealing he wasn’t upset. “I try to get rid of emotion and deal with the facts at hand.”
He added that his wife, Tiny, was “all too familiar with it.” He added, It was no injury in the moment.
T.I. has been subject to severallegalstories over the years. However, the latest story requires no further investigation to know that it was unwarranted. A case of perhaps the most unlucky coincidence of all time.
According to TMZ, T.I. was arrested at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Sunday night, August 4, “but it was a case of mistaken identity.”
“A warrant had been issued for another man named Clifford Harris — the same as T.I.’s real name — who was wanted in Baltimore, Maryland,” TMZ relayed. “The suspect is wanted for alleged involvement in violent behavior toward a woman, stalking, and possibly involving a gun. T.I. was taken from the airport to Clayton County Jail. Since the warrant was issued out of state, the arrest triggered an automatic extradition hearing.”
Steve Sadow, T.I.’s attorney, confirmed to TMZ that T.I. had been released “within two hours of arrest,” and the judge had reviewed and dismissed the order. As of this writing, T.I. had not publicly commented on the ordeal, and he probably won’t.
TI just got a pretty rough reminder that his name is a pretty common one, as authorities reportedly arrested him by mistake at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on Sunday night (August 4), according to TMZ. Specifically, it seems like law enforcement responded to an active warrant from Baltimore, Maryland for a man named Clifford Harris, which is coincidentally the rapper’s real name. This other Harris is reportedly wanted for allegedly being involved in violence against a woman, stalking, and potential firearm possession. Authorities moved the Atlanta trap pioneer from the airport to Clayton County jail and the out-of-state warrant caused an automatic extradition hearing.
Steve Sadow, T.I.’s attorney, reportedly told TMZ that he spoke with Clayton County’s Sheriff’s Office over the phone and got his client out of prison less than two hours after the arrest, and a judge looked over and dismissed the extradition order. This complaint is from June 13, and as of writing this article, it seems like the other Clifford Harris is still a wanted man at large. However, this isn’t the only legal issue that he faced as of late. Tip and Tiny filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit accusing them of sexual assault and battery.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 27: T.I. attends Scott Mills Intro Dinner To Kick Off the BET Awards 2024 Weekend at LAVO Hollywood on June 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for BET)
As for other legal issues in Atlanta, T.I. recently gave his thoughts on how he thinks Young Thug and YSL’s RICO case will end. “He coming home,” he told The Breakfast Club during a recent interview, saying that he’s been in touch with Thugger and that they’re both feeling good about his chances. “I don’t think that the prosecution has successfully proven a case of him knowingly and willingly participating in an active street gang. I just don’t see it.”
“The witnesses they’ve called thus far [haven’t] proven what they said they would prove,” T.I. continued. “I just don’t think that the grounds of their case have been presented properly. Just ain’t seen it. Don’t worry. When he come home, we’ll get it right. Just get him here… He’ll be just fine.” Along with his comments on the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef, he has a lot of takes to dish out on the rap game, so we’ll see if he says anything about this reported arrest mishap.
Sugar Honey Iced Tea, Latto’s new album, has an official release date: August 9. The “Big Mama” rapper teased some of the album’s music with a cinematic trailer obviously inspired by the movie ATL, paying homage to her hometown with landmarks from all over the Big Peach (Cascade roller rink, what’s up!) and cameos from Georgia legends 2 Chainz and T.I. There’s even narration from Big Rube, making Sugar Honey Iced Tea a true ATL affair.
Among the songs teased in the trailer are the previously released “Big Mama,” a song featuring an appearance from SZA, and another that samples T.I.’s “24’s.” Check it out above.
Sugar Honey Iced Tea allegedly takes its title not only from the signature drink of the South, but also from Latto’s recent, short-lived battle of diss tracks with Ice Spice. With Ice lashing out with a song called “Think You U The Sh*t (Fart),” it’s kind of funny to think Latto would name her album after the “polite” acronym, offering an unrepentant response to Ice’s challenge. Yes, she thinks she’s the sh*t — so much so, that she’s going to make us all acknowledge it.
Sugar Honey Iced Tea is out on 8/9 through RCA Records. You can find more info here.
TI and Young Thug have always been close. They were never on the same label, but the former gave Thug a co-sign when he was starting out, and he hasn’t forgotten it. During a 2023 appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, T.I. claimed that Thug showed more gratitude towards him than artists who had actually signed to his Grand Hustle label. The King of the South has shown love in return, and supported Thug during his ongoing YSL trial. He’s also confident that Thug will be a free man soon.
TI recently went on The Breakfast Club, and one of the first topics he discussed with the YSL trial. He told Charlamagne tha God that he’d been in touch with Young Thug, and both men felt good about the chances of Thug being cleared of his RICO charges. “He comin’ home,” TI asserted. “I don’t think that the prosecution has successfully proven a case of him knowingly and willingly participating in an active street gang. I just don’t see it.” The “No Mediocre” rapper claimed that the witnesses that have been called to testify against Young Thug have not been as convincing as the prosecution had hoped for.
“I don’t think that the witnesses they’ve called thus far have proven what they said they would prove,” he noted. “I just don’t think that the grounds of their case have been presented properly. Just ain’t seen it.” Co-host DJ Envy interjected to lament the fact that the YSL case has disrupted Thug’s otherwise huge music career. He also voiced concern over whether Young Thug would be able to regain the momentum he had once he’s freed. TI assured him that he would see to it himself that the rapper would get back on top. “Don’t worry,” he told Envy. “When he come home, we’ll get it right. Just get him here… He’ll be just fine.”
TI knows how to rebuild a career after a legal battle. The rapper spent most of 2007 and 2008 in court over two weapons-related felonies. He eventually pled guilty and served a seven month prison stint the following year. TI returned with the album No Mercy in 2010, which was certified Gold and had features from the likes of Eminem, Drake, and Kanye West. Three years later, TIP was back on top of the charts with the number one single “Blurred Lines” opposite Pharrell and Robin Thicke. Young Thug could not have a better mentor waiting on him.
