T.I explains what OutKast & Scarface told him about calling himself ‘King of the South’

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As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of hip-hop and its intricate narratives, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia hearing about T.I.’s retirement announcement. Growing up, his raw energy and lyrical prowess were an integral part of my musical journey, much like how I leveled up in games, reaching new milestones with each album release.

Recently, during a radio interview, T.I. mentioned that Jingle Ball would mark his final performance. However, he does have two upcoming albums in the pipeline – “Kiss the King” and “Kill the King”. These titles are inspired by the moniker ‘King of the South‘, which he adopted several years ago.

In a conversation with AllHipHop, Tip shared that André 3000, their OutKast collaborator Big Boi, and Scarface offered guidance on the “King of the South” nickname, influencing his perspectives on this title.

Initially, Scarface made it clear to him that he didn’t care about the title since he was already capable of being called the King of the South due to his professional achievements. This gave T.I. permission to adopt the name. Later on, André 3000 inquired, “What does it truly signify to be a king?”, a question that Big Boi eventually addressed. He explained to T.I., “The king is always under attack because you can’t expect help or favors from anyone.

Initially, “No Mediocre” rapper later explained that he came to fully grasp the meaning of the title as time passed, but with the upcoming releases of Kiss the King and Kill the King, he intends to move away from it. Additionally, Tip mentioned that the first album is intended for women, while the second may resonate more with men.

He clarified that chess symbolizes life’s challenges, with the goal being to outmaneuver your opponent’s key piece, not literally destroy it. To truly achieve inner calmness, one must suppress their self-centeredness or ego.

In that recent chat on air, I shared my thoughts about hanging up the mic and stepping away from live performances. The truth is, I’m financially secure now, and the thought of constantly jumping from one stage to another, giving it my all for audience enjoyment, just doesn’t appeal to me anymore. However, mark your calendars for December 19, as I’ll be gracing the stage once more at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena for Jingle Ball. Can’t wait to see you there!

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2024-10-22 21:23