Once a formidable force on the charts, recent years have seen T.I. cool musically yet heat up on the reality TV circuit with this family.
However, in a bid to re-ascend to the top, the rapper has paired up with fellow Hip-Hop titan Jay Z in a big way.
Full story below…
It was announced early this morning that T.I. has signed a distribution deal with Jigga’s Roc Nation.
The move follows his short-stint at Sony’s Columbia Records, which yielded the so-so selling ‘Paperwork’ in 2014.
Interestingly, while the Sony deal saw the MC bring his Grand Hustle imprint to sit within the label’s bosom, this is a little different.
The Roc partnership will see the growing empire serve solely as distributor for the Atlanta bred star, who now – as an independent artist – will benefit from their commercial clout. Indeed, though once a management/A&R firm principally, the Roc has matured into a full-fledged record label (parented by Universal Music).
In cementing his affiliation with Jay, T.I. has gone one step further and revealed that he is the newest name to join the TIDAL artist-owners list, which is also comprised of Kanye West, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and more.
****************
For T.I., the Roc deal is an interesting addition to his label narrative. His debut album ‘I’m Serious’ dropped via Sony’s Arista… which then saw him dropped after poor sales. The occurrence facilitated his move to Atlantic where he’d become “T.I” as known and loved. Under that corporate umbrella he released seven albums, the last being 2012’s ‘Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head’ before he ventured to Columbia and now the Roc.
****************
It’s anyone’s guess how this chapter will fare, but all involved definitely have their work cut out for them.
In keeping it 100, T.I. has not put out anything compelling in years and has struggled to get his musical mojo and momentum back after his 2010 stint in prison.
Will teaming with Jay and TIDAL do the trick? Time will tell.
On a random note, there’s a part of us that sees this as a tad bitter sweet. Why? because, at his mid 00’s peak, T.I. was such a force that he had it in his arsenal to create his own Roc. Yet, for a plethora of reasons, he’s now effectively “under” an artist he was outselling at a point in time.
That said, in life (and most certainly business), it’s far more important to get in where one fits in rather than letting ego make one waste away.
A smart play. Potentially.
Jay Z has lost the midas touch. Poor release dates, Poor marketing, Poor showings.
Rihanna is a drugged out mess of a rnb star thanks to melissa.
Ok name calling has gotten old girl bye you haters been saying this for ten years we get it now you need an award for saying this what do you need for calling rih a drugged out singer name it b**** please we navy don’t care what,you haters say anymore gaga all those b****** smoke f****** weed behind close door rih just doing in public bey went to Jamaica smoke weed solange drug head so what the f*** you calling out rih when them out there do it George cloony Ellen leo I can go on and f*** in on go drink bleach kill yourself in the process
CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK IN ENGLISH. I know that’s extremely hard for you. I’M SURE YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE IS TO BE A BABY MAMA LITTLE G_AY BOY.
RIHANNA CARES NOTHING ABOUT YOU OR HER “NAVY” WHO HAVE YET TO BUY TICKETS TO HER FLOP TOUR.
WTF is goin on is Tidal the new Epic Records?!
Tidal suck I tried to support them but not even big stars can save it
T.I. is still a big name. He also still has grandhustle records. After all its just a distribution deal. I think it’s a great business move for both. Apple music isn’t the only site booking exclusives. Besides a Tidal making a worth while deal with tip (I bet). This is also workin great in Tidal’s favor. So for tgj to try and making it seem like t.i. is Tidal’s artist is very far fetched. T.I. is still very pivotal in the game. Just as much as Jay. It’s just business and yes a good move and look.
Ain’t nobody checking for Tidal sorry.
T.I could had been on the level as a boss like Lil Wayne (Birdman, but he let Wayne THINK he was the boss) if he had stayed out of jail. In hip hop you have to grow and become a boss (Jay Z) because no one wants to hear you rapping in your 40s and you doing a label puppet.
I like some of T.I’s music, but i dont think this was the best move for him…..
It just a distribution deal which means that ROC nation with distributes grand hustle music. Which means ROC nation will put grand hustle music in retail stores around the world
T.I. and jay z stay making business moves
This may not be good for Ti but good luck to him tho