As of October 2008, T.I. has had nine Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles, with 3 of them reaching number 1 ("My Love" by Justin Timberlake on which T.I. was featured, "Whatever You Like," & "Live Your Life" featuring Rihanna).
The Love This Life Songfacts reports that Love This Life, the first official single from T.I.'s eighth album, Trouble Man, was released on April 2, 2012 via YouTube.
T.I. is from Bankhead, Atlanta, Georgia and was raised by his grandparents. T.I. explained the origin of his nickname Rubber Band Man, saying, "We used to wear rubber bands to signify how much money, how much blow we had." He was nicknamed "Tip" after his paternal great-grandfather. Upon signing with Arista Records subsidiary LaFace Records in 2001, he shortened his name to T.I. out of respect for label mate Q-Tip.
T.I. has been in a relationship with former Xscape member Tameka "Tiny" Cottle since 2001. Together, they have two sons: King and Major Harris. He has three other children with ex-girlfriend Lashon Dixon: Domani, Messiah and Deyjah. Overall, T.I. has five children.
T.I. was co-executive producer of B.G.'s upcoming album and making beats for artists like Mariah Carey, Cassidy, Rick Ross, Maino, B.o.B., Yung Joc, Young Dro, and himself. He also executive produced the soundtrack to the film Hustle & Flow and released the collection through his record label.
Act II: T.I
T.I. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I swear I parked my car, shit
Aye, light hit my face sun brought the heat
Open my eyes, see my car parked across the street
And then it hit, I ain't really slept that long in a week
Matter fact I don't even remember falling asleep
Is it an emergency or something you need to talk to me?
J said, "I thought you needed to talk to me
If it's a change made aware I think I outta be
You making ultimatums now you don't talk to me
You make shit way worse then it outta be"
I ain't arguin' on the phone, come talk to me
I'll be waitin' on you, dawg at the office, peace
Now I'm thinkin' hard as I walk to my house
The fuck have I done now, what could he be talkin' 'bout?
I been stayin' outta trouble, shit I bin on the couch
You were workin' on the album, I was listenin' now
Then Doug called, "Ay you spoke to J?"
Yeah, is it something I don't know that I was supposed to say?
All I know before the hour I awoke today
Nigga commin' wit' the realist and he chose today
I'm real close to J, I seen ups and downs hit
But I ain't never heard him sound the way that he sounded
Really caught a nigga by surprise, I was astounded
He a real cool dude but why he call me clownin'?
You say'n you don't know bout it? Know bout what?
Atlantic records said you called the office and went nuts
Makin' death threats, talkin' loud, gettin' buck
Man, they said I did what? Folks I'm just gettin' up
Say you waitin' out your deal till you hear it's up
Planin' to make away with 20 million bucks
You bullshitin' me, right? Is you serious brugh?
Yeah, they said you found out the rapper T.I.P wit' us
I talked to Craig, Jewels and Kais a long time
Long story short they said you don lost ya damn mind
And I runnin' off deep and across ya damn mind
You crossed the thin line, I'm hearin' 'em tell Atlantic
It's so much shit about cha, they don't give a shit about cha
Say'n you ain't doin' nothing they couldn't have done without cha
You ain't never been hotta, worked a whole lotta years
And came up to go way back to the bottom, what?
Man, what the hell is y'all talkin' 'bout?
I been in the house all night
I don't know nothing 'bout that shit, man
I got the album right here, man, send this to 'em
In Act II: T.I., T.I. wakes up to a call from his friend J who tells him about Atlantic Records supposedly receiving death threats from him. T.I. is shocked as he claims to have been at home all night and had no knowledge of this. He also reveals to J that he hasn't slept much in a week and can't even remember falling asleep. T.I. then receives another call from Doug, his friend from Atlantic Records, who tells him that he has lost his mind and is making death threats. Doug also tells T.I. that he is planning to leave Atlantic Records with $20 million and that his behavior has caused the label to lose respect for him. T.I. insists he doesn't know what they are talking about and that he has the album ready to be sent to them.
The lyrics of the song suggest that T.I. is confused and suspicious of the accusations made against him. He seems surprised and hurt by the fact that his friends and label would think so poorly of him. The theme of the song seems to revolve around the idea of trust and betrayal among friends and colleagues in the music industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Umm, uh what the fuck, what time is it?
Confusion and disorientation upon waking up
I swear I parked my car, shit
Realization that something is off
Aye, light hit my face sun brought the heat
Waking up to the bright, hot morning sun
Open my eyes, see my car parked across the street
Noticing something out of the ordinary
And then it hit, I ain't really slept that long in a week
Realizing that one has not slept well recently
Matter fact I don't even remember falling asleep
Being unsure of how one fell asleep
Atlantic office claimin' J just keep calling the heat
Being told that someone is causing problems
Is it an emergency or something you need to talk to me?
Asking for more information about the situation
J said, "I thought you needed to talk to me
Asking for clarification about why J is calling
You making ultimatums now you don't talk to me
Accusing J of making unfair demands
I ain't arguin' on the phone, come talk to me
Insisting that the issue be dealt with in person
Now I'm thinkin' hard as I walk to my house
Reflecting on the situation as one walks home
The fuck have I done now, what could he be talkin' 'bout?
Puzzlement about the cause of the problem
I been stayin' outta trouble, shit I bin on the couch
Claiming to have been minding one's own business
Then Doug called, "Ay you spoke to J?"
Receiving confirmation of the problem
All I know before the hour I awoke today
Stating that one was not involved in anything prior to waking up
I'm real close to J, I seen ups and downs hit
Acknowledging a close relationship with J
You say'n you don't know bout it? Know bout what?
Expressing disbelief about the situation
Atlantic records said you called the office and went nuts
Being accused of losing control and making threats
Man, they said I did what? Folks I'm just gettin' up
Denying any responsibility for the situation
It's so much shit about cha, they don't give a shit about cha
Noticing that others do not have one's best interests at heart
Say'n you ain't doin' nothing they couldn't have done without cha
Feeling undervalued and unappreciated
You ain't never been hotta, worked a whole lotta years
Acknowledging one's past success and hard work
And came up to go way back to the bottom, what?
Feeling like one's success has been undone
Man, what the hell is y'all talkin' 'bout?
Expressing frustration and confusion about the situation
I been in the house all night
Stating one's whereabouts to defend oneself
I don't know nothing 'bout that shit, man
Denying any involvement or knowledge
I got the album right here, man, send this to 'em
Asserting one's focus on one's music career
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLIFFORD HARRIS, CLIFFORD J. HARRIS, COREY SIMON, KANNON CROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind