Eslah Attar/NPR
Watch T.I. Perform His Classics for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert
T.I. is the latest artist to take over NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series.
Wearing a white Burberry hoodie, the King of the South held court with an orchestra of young musicians from the non-profit Atlanta Music Project to put a new spin on three of his biggest hits including “Rubber Band Man,” “What You Know,” and “Live Your Life.”
He also shared stories behind the music, like the time he found out that his home had been raided by police after shooting the video for “Rubber Band Man” with Puff Daddy. “That was a very bittersweet moment for me,” he said. “But I think that’s all in the essence of trap music. This music was about the elements that people had to endure in their lives every day and find a brighter side and make a way out of no way.”
He also shared some words of wisdom with his young collaborators. “You are able to do anything in the world that you wanna do in life. Don’t let anybody tell you what you can’t accomplish. Only thing between you and your dreams is your effort,” he said before going into “Live Your Life.”
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Tip’s sophomore album Trap Muzik. In addition to investing in the redevelopment of his Bankhead community in Atlanta, he plans to return to his roots on his next studio album, The Dime Trap.