T.I. Covers All the Bases In November Issue of Complex
T.I. cover and feature photos: James Dimmock
Here's the cover for our November issue featuring T.I. We chopped it up with the real ‘American Gangster,’ and he discussed everything from his new movie role to the code of the streets and the state of rap music. Hopefully the cover lines, “Home for the Holidays,” rings true and T.I. actually gets a reprieve from his recent gun charge case (he’s currently still incarcerated and has been denied bond). Here's some of the highlights from the interview, but you're going to have to shell out some cash to read the whole thing. Hits newsstands this week: November 6th to be exact.
On The Real Frank Lucas:
Given the strong “stop snitching” credo within hip-hop, what did you think of his cooperating with authorities to shorten his 70-year prison term? His situation was unique because he didn't tell on no drug dealers or other criminals. He got his standards shortened by telling on crooked cops.
On how the streets have changed:
Is there a character in American Gangster you would parallel to your days in the trap? I can't even compare myself back in that day simply because it was a whole other day and age. When I was doin' it, it was chaos. Real talk, it was easier then, too. Not taking nothing away from them 'cause they started it, but the police wasn't hip to everything. By the time I started hustling, the police had cameras, the Internet, and forensics. [Back then] you could kill a nigga at six o'clock in the morning on his doorstep and long as nobody seen you, you good. Now you got cameras on street lights. I feel like if I was a hustler back then, I'd have a way better shot at it. People actually respected the game. Whereas when I was a hustler, a nigga would do anything for a dollar. Period.
On Luda's Manager he smacked:
Have you seen [Ludacris's manager] Chaka Zulu since you had an altercation with him back in June? I've seen him, but I didn't speak to him. That situation was whatever. If you come out your face and say something, then you can expect me to go off. You should watch your mouth. I think my manager spoke to him. I got a great life and wonderful children, and I do intend to be here to guide them for the rest of their lives, and that's what's most important to me. Maybe when I was 18 or 19 runnin' the streets and shootin' pistols, but I'm not gonna blow that for one of these cats who don't happen to live by the same principles as me.
On Rap Now:
You're the only rapper to drop platinum albums the last two years. How can you say you don't fit in? When I saw Tupac talking that “Thug Life” shit, getting locked up for shooting police, and getting shot and living, that's when I was like, Damn, them niggas is really about that shit. Now you're just let down. This ain't this guy that he was on this record. And nobody seems to have a problem with it. It's a lot of fake shit in it. I like to consider myself an intelligent person, and this shit is not something of intelligence anymore. It's getting real young and stupid, and that ain't me.
Bonus: Check out these behind the scenes shots of T.I. And for those wondering, yes that is our Editor in Chief bound and gagged in the trunk with the groceries.
projectnrm October 23, 2007 at 11:51 am
So is the mag going monthly now?
G-Roc October 23, 2007 at 1:16 pm
FREE T.I.
Will October 23, 2007 at 2:07 pm
fuck that complex you enable TI to think its cool to have guns, this is the fucking problem right there
hov October 23, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I hope he does 10-15. Let these other dudes know its serious. Does that ninja really need a gun on him like that? WTF
FR October 23, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Let him rot. An excuse of a human being
harbinger104 October 23, 2007 at 3:15 pm
we have the right to own guns in this coutry people…
not to mention he was intentionally set up by the weak ass laws, and that snitch ass bodygaurd…
bet we find out shortly that the bodygaurd had a record and was trying to same himself by killing his brother… whos the waste of a human being?
Rashad Deleon October 23, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Sure he did wrong but,hes the top hiphop artist in the game.Him and Weezy!!!! I think HipHop should want this man out on bail and jail if u got the albums IM SERIOUS and TRAP MUZIK!!!! cuz those are classic.if he do go to jail for a minute the man is going to be remembered like Pac and Biggie and ever else died that was great in the game u looking at a legend.realize!!!!
el philth October 23, 2007 at 4:13 pm
im not trying to justify breaking laws in a already broken country but i do justify protecting your life by an means necessary , we have become so judgemental and misunderstsnding these days its crazy and scary in the same note..have we forgotten this mans life almost was taken months before?? machine guns killed his road manager in the same car ?? welcome to reality this is the world we live in ..id rather be judged by twelve than carried by six..free tip period!!!
Juan October 23, 2007 at 9:10 pm
I think it was unclassy of Complex to publish the photo of T.I. putting the turkey in the oven with a pistol on his waistline. You kiss his ass when he is ridin’ high and then kick him when he is down. For those photos to be published with his current legal situation in the fold, the move was unwarranted and distasteful. Let him have his fair day in court without someone like Complex Magazine being put in on the evidence docket.
*Mr.Complexed*
junior October 23, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Oh, cmon.. It’s a staged photoshoot. caricature of modern rapper. TI does indeed have fascination with gun and knives, but have a lil sense of humor. Whats next? Judge should hang kidnapping on him for that dude in the trunk? As i understand it, Complex posted those pics not to take TI down. But to put satire in public eye. This shit would be posted anyway (jail or not), cuz new issue is hitting the stands. I am sure no court realy want to see Complex materials in evidence docket.. all the thugs would roam the street free in that case..
COMPLEX MNGMT. October 23, 2007 at 10:12 pm
We’d never publish any material that would jeopardize T.I.’s case or bolster the government’s. To assume that law enforcement is interested in an ironic photo shoot is pretty far from reality and if that’s the case, are they going to rent ATL next and judge him as Rashad?
Photo Snob October 23, 2007 at 10:48 pm
How are you gonna blog about a photo shoot and not credit the photographer?
thatwhitedude October 23, 2007 at 11:48 pm
so why did you take the pic down now complex mngmt?!?!?!? pussies, what happened to free speech? consider my subscription ended now…if you can’t stick up for what you initially post, yall just seem like spineless sellouts now to me who dont care about standing behind what you initially publish…one
BABESBLINGANDBOOZE.BLOGSPOT.COM October 24, 2007 at 12:35 am
T.I.’s an idiot
sensation October 24, 2007 at 11:35 am
Complex Magazine did nothing wrong by publishing those photos. This is pure reader entertainment. I Think the photo’s were great in representing his character. There are alot of fans that look up to this guy for the changes that he has made within his life and can really feel his agony in his songs. TIP is not in Juvenile he is with the Feds they have no credibility. His lawyer could use pure defense that the man is #1 top seller of HIP HOP and with todays society&thinking he would rather be caught with it than without it. Any broke dummy would love to kick in his door and do way with that man.”If you never lived the life you’ll never understand it.” TIP will be free eventually. The lord is teaching him a lesson that “YOU CAN’T GET AWAY WITH EVERYTHING YOU GOT TO CHANGE SOMETIME.” He will learn his lesson about trust. And best believe he will live up to the saying of “KEEP YO ENEMIES CLOSE AND WATCH YO HOMIES (2PAC)!
bushra October 24, 2007 at 1:58 pm
nah thats not fair T.I. was set up by his dumb ass bodyguard he must off had his reasons 4 doin wa he did talent like that doesnt deserve too be locked up.hes so nice he cares soo much he helped underprivileged communities with great generosity not many people would look twice at doing that but he did im ere 4 him and i think others should too every1 has there days people are entitaled to making mistakes nobodys perfect when you find there some1 who is holla at me k.
lilsexyd October 25, 2007 at 12:40 am
i think it is sad what has happened to TI. everyone feels like they can judge him for this one act. no one was saying anything when he was out helping the community. why does he have to rot in jail because he wanted to protect himself. yeah he went about it the wrong way but damn he’s human.
Erica Johnson October 26, 2007 at 12:59 am
Yea, you guys have to be pretty naive to think that these photos don’t hurt his image in the eyes of the judicial system. I’m not disagreeing with the shoot or anything, I think they are hilarious, especially him cutting the turkey and getting it out of the oven.
tiffany October 29, 2007 at 1:36 am
OH COME THE FUCK ON,GET OFF HIM ALREADY I LIVE IN OAKLAND CA AND NIGGAS BUY GUNS EVERYDAY OUT HERE AND DON’T GET CAUGHT THEY JUST ON T.I BECAUSE HE A CELEB AND GOT THAT DOUGH IF HE WAS AN ORDINARY STREET NIGGA WOULDN’T NOBODY GIVE A FUCK.IF HE WASN’T FUCKING WITH THAT SNITCH ASS NIGGA HE WOULDN’T EVEN BE IN THIS SITUATION.SO GET OFF OF HIM AND LET HIM LIVE HIS FUCKING LIFE AND STOP HATING CAUSE HE GONNA MAKE IT THROUGH THIS SHIT AND COME OUT ON TOP.REMEMBER DUMMIES THAT IS A FUCKING PHOTO SHOOT HE’S GONNA DO WHAT SEELS AND GET HIM THAT DOUGH.
MUCH LOVE TO T.I. KEEP YO HEAD UP BABY.
bathesheba October 29, 2007 at 11:24 am
Come on people. I like T.I. too but, you guys need to see it from both sides. It was said that the bodyguard was former military special forces so I doubt he was a criminal. He had been working for TIP for 2 months. How can you guys expect him to go to jail for Tip. Tip wouldn’t go to jail for him. All these bodyguards I here of getting in trouble for there clients and don’t receive anything in return come on man. T.I. wouldn’t go to jail for any of us and we buy his records and ringtones. We are his most important assets, his fans. We make him rich and he wouldn’t go for us.
Air Jordan December 28, 2008 at 10:52 pm
thanks this nice Article
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