Daily Dad News

Rap Star T.I. Walks The Line Between Fatherhood And Rap Fame

January 4, 2012

Atlanta rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris and his checkered legal past, including several run-ins with legal authorities, nearly derailed his successful rap and acting career.  Yet, the self-proclaimed “King Of The South” has always shown great devotion to his role as a father and husband – although he still shows his aggressive side via his music, which he says is a necessary contradiction.

MTV News interviewed with the star of new VH1 reality TV show T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle (co-starring with his wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle) as he gears up to release his eight studio album. Discussing his work-life balance, T.I. stressed in the interview that the persona he injects into his songs is separate from how he is at home.

“When I go home, that's who I am, what you see on the show. Now, what you're gonna hear through them records is when I hit the streets, when I'm out movin' and groovin' — this is the person that must maintain this personality because it's a cold world out here,” said T.I. He added, “At home, I could be Mr. Harris or Daddy or whatnot, but when I'm out here in these streets it's gonna have to be Tip because that's what it takes to make it out here.”

To T.I.’s credit, the tough talk never manifests itself when addressing his children. He’s often shown on his TV series involving himself in by attending his sons’ football games and providing for his family via his chosen vehicle of music.

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