T.I. Sounds Off on Critics, 'Ni**as in Paris' Remix, & Putting ATL Back on Top

The King is back on the scene. Following his release from a halfway house earlier this week, T.I. stopped by Atlanta radio station V103 for his first interview since serving 10 months behind bars. With his son Major on his lap, he discussed the lessons he learned, new VH1 series and book, next album title, remixing Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Ni**as in Paris,” and the lack of Atlanta artists on the charts. He also had some strong words for his critics and turned red when speaking about the first thing he did when he came home, pleading the Fifth. Among the highlights…

On his new single “I’m Flexin'” featuring Big K.R.I.T.: “I kept my word. I went back to that foundation—I’m Serious, Trap Muzik. There’s more where that came from.”
On his upcoming VH1 series “T.I.’s Family Hustle”: “We have a documentary television show. Anything you associate my name with, it’s going to be eloquent and classy and ghetto at the same time.”
On what he learned from his latest experience: “I really don’t owe anyone any explanation and I had to grow to that point. I can’t live for ya’ll. If you have disagreements with the way I move or the way I operate, you’re entitled to it, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to live my life for my family and I’m going to do what’s best for them.”
On being sent back to prison after traveling to a halfway house in a tour bus: “They’re trying to keep me from being me. I could abide by the law and do everything that I’m supposed to do on paper, but there are certain things that I do that my life allows me to do, i.e. ride a bus from so and so to so and so, which is totally within the law but because someone says I disagree with it, then that puts me in a certain public perception. I’m gon’ be me, my life ain’t your life.”
On his critics: “People say, ‘Oh, he’s coming home and he has so much going on.’ Yes, because that’s my life. I have three parties because I have a lot of celebrating to do because I can and that’s my life. Ya’ll got to let me live, champ. I can’t live like you. I ain’t you. I don’t have a Honda Accord.”
On his next album title: “I’m still working on that title. There has been another title that has peeked my interest so I have two that I’m choosing from.”
On recording a remix to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Ni**as in Paris”: “The verse is in the can. G. took it to Paris ’cause ‘Ye is launching his female clothing line. He gon’ play it for him, and pending their approval that’s gon’ be done.”
On what’s missing from music: “I ain’t seen much Atlanta lately. I took direct offense at that. Right now I’m putting the city on my shoulders. It’s too heavy of a load for Ross and Drake and Wayne to be the only ones who represent hip-hop.”

T.I. backstage at the “Scream” tour kickoff with the OMG Girlz and his wife Tiny in Augusta, Ga. Photo by Mr. Sydney.