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.
Fire & Earth Interlude
T.I. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silent no more
The blood of our people arising from the shores
Ascending from the sand
Straight to our hands
Dripping from our fingertips
Yelling, kicking, screaming, and dreaming
See, they were here and know they're gone
Because they gave us the blueprint
Sat in, marched, slaughtered, and lynched for this shit
But we'd rather sit around, get money, clout chase, and gloat
Everybody got time, everybody want smoke
You can tweet and you can type, but did you motherfuckers vote?
I dare you to vote
I dare you to leave the trap
I dare you to learn more about your credit score
I dare you to know less about sports and own more houses and stores
Own some shit you could really call yours
'Cause, news flash, it ain't really your hood if you don't own no doors
I dare you to rap about anything but your pussy
Or how good you suck his-
How good you look and how tight your Fashion Nova fit
I remember when rap queens really used to spit
Like really used to kick shit
Would look you dead in the face and ask you, "Who you calling a bitch?"
But now it's just so wet, how wet is it?
Is it as wet as our ancestors who were thrown over boat to drown, soaking wet?
Like sweat beads running down Harriet's neck?
Wet like immigrants swimming across borders until freedom?
Is it wet like Tamika Mallory's back
As she marched down to Louisville, Kentucky for Breonna Taylor
As she put her life on the front line?
Not knowing if it would be her last time
How wet is it?
'Cause Breonna Taylor was here
George Floyd was here
Ahmaud Arbery was here
Rayshard Brooks was here
Ronald Green was here
Elijah McClain was here
Jamarion Robinson was here
And now they're gone
And we didn't even get the chance to say so long
In "Fire & Earth Interlude," T.I. speaks about the ongoing racial injustice in the United States and challenges his listeners to take action. He's frustrated with people who prioritize wealth, fame, and social media clout over meaningful change. He reminds us that the blood of the Black people who have died at the hands of the police and systemic racism is on our hands. He calls out those who don't vote, don't educate themselves on finances, and don't own property. T.I. also speaks out against the objectification of women in rap music, which has become more prevalent in recent years. Instead, he encourages artists to use their platform to speak up and call out injustice.
Throughout the song, T.I. lists the names of several Black people who have been killed by police officers or died as a result of systemic racism. He makes it clear that they were here and now they're gone, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Overall, T.I.'s lyrics serve as a call to action. He wants people to wake up and realize that they have the power to make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm speaking, I'm speaking, okay?
I'm fed up and ready to share my thoughts and speak my truth.
Silent no more
We're no longer staying quiet about the injustices happening in our communities.
The blood of our people arising from the shores
The history and pain of our ancestors is still very much a part of our present and future.
Ascending from the sand
Their spirits continue to rise and live on through us.
Straight to our hands
It's our responsibility to carry on their legacy and fight for justice.
Dripping from our fingertips
Their sacrifice and struggle is something we can never forget or take for granted.
Yelling, kicking, screaming, and dreaming
We're making noise, fighting back, and envisioning a better future for ourselves and generations to come.
See, they were here and know they're gone
Our ancestors fought hard and made significant contributions, but many of them didn't get to see the fruits of their labor.
And we didn't even have to say so long
We didn't get to properly thank them or bid them farewell.
Because they gave us the blueprint
Their sacrifices, activism, and wisdom should serve as our roadmap for progress and change.
Sat in, marched, slaughtered, and lynched for this shit
Our ancestors endured unimaginable pain and suffering to lay the foundation for our current fight for justice.
But we'd rather sit around, get money, clout chase, and gloat
Many of us are more concerned with personal gain and social media popularity instead of fighting for what's right.
Everybody got time, everybody want smoke
Many people have a lot of talk but aren't willing to put in the work to make change.
You can tweet and you can type, but did you motherfuckers vote?
Actions speak louder than words, and voting is a crucial way to actually instigate change.
I dare you to vote
I'm challenging and urging people to take their civic duty seriously and vote.
I dare you to leave the trap
I'm daring people to break free from the confines and oppression of their current circumstances.
I dare you to learn more about your credit score
I'm encouraging people to improve their financial literacy and understand how the system works to their benefit or detriment.
I dare you to know less about sports and own more houses and stores
I'm urging people to prioritize building wealth and ownership rather than just being a consumer.
'Cause, news flash, it ain't really your hood if you don't own no doors
If you don't have ownership and control in your community, you can't truly claim it as your own.
I dare you to rap about anything but your pussy
I'm challenging rappers to move past hypersexualizing women and actually have substance in their lyrics.
Or how good you suck his-
How good you look and how tight your Fashion Nova fit
I'm calling out the fixation on sex, image, and materialism in rap and pop culture.
I remember when rap queens really used to spit
I long for the days when female rappers were respected for their lyrical prowess and message.
Like really used to kick shit
They had something to say and said it with conviction and skill.
Would look you dead in the face and ask you, 'Who you calling a bitch?'
They were confident, assertive, and took no disrespect.
But now it's just so wet, how wet is it?
The current state of rap is full of copycats and mediocrity, lacking the edge and creativity of the past.
Is it as wet as our ancestors who were thrown over boat to drown, soaking wet?
I'm comparing the shallow nature of current rap to the horrific trauma and genocide of our past.
Like sweat beads running down Harriet's neck?
I'm acknowledging the grueling work and strife of those who fought for freedom and justice.
Wet like immigrants swimming across borders until freedom?
I'm highlighting the resilience and determination of those seeking better lives in spite of systemic oppression and violence.
Is it wet like Tamika Mallory's back
As she marched down to Louisville, Kentucky for Breonna Taylor
As she put her life on the front line?
Not knowing if it would be her last time
I'm honoring and amplifying the work of modern-day activists who risk their lives for the cause, like Tamika Mallory's efforts to get justice for Breonna Taylor.
How wet is it?
I'm challenging the rap industry to be more meaningful, impactful, and representative of the experiences and struggles of our communities.
'Cause Breonna Taylor was here
George Floyd was here
Ahmaud Arbery was here
Rayshard Brooks was here
Ronald Green was here
Elijah McClain was here
Jamarion Robinson was here
And now they're gone
And we didn't even get the chance to say so long
I'm reminding people of the brutal and unjust deaths of these Black individuals and the need to keep fighting and advocating for justice and systemic change.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Clifford Joseph Harris, Ernestine Johnson Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind