🆕 T.I. INTERVIEW 🆕
So Be It
Following a quarter-century-long reign, T.I. has released his final album, Kill the King, but that doesn't mean he'll stop giving fans more reasons to watch the throne.
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T.I. has murder on his mind. After 25 years as hip-hop’s self-anointed crown-holder for the South, the trap music trailblazer insists he’s done dropping albums after releasing his swan-song 12th LP, Kill the King, this past June, and metaphorically assassinating the ego that he built his career on. And he plans to go out with a bang.
In January of this year, the 45-year-old rap legend reunited with producer Pharrell Williams for the pompous single “Let ’Em Know,” signaling the start of a retirement rollout that the King decreed back in 2021. The certified gold single peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking Tip’s first top 40 solo hit since 2014.
The following month, he seemingly got hip-hop’s top opp, 50 Cent, to back down after their much-publicized verbal-turned-lyrical joust evolved into a family affair when Fif seemed to diss T.I.’s wife Tiny’s appearance, and then Tip’s sons Domani and King threw their own viral punches on wax.
Hit-making and controversy are things T.I. has been all too familiar with since he labeled himself The King of the South on his 2001 debut album, I’m Serious. He’s amassed a stalwart career, including four No. 1 songs, eight top 10 solo albums and a potential Verzuz playlist that would give any probable opponent pause. From Grammy awards and starring movie roles to viral beefs, famous fisticuffs and a federal case, T.I. is trap rap’s Dos Equis guy.
Right now, the respected MC is ready to end his monarchy. He’s content, even. Kill the King, with production from Pharrell, Dr. Dre, DJ Toomp, Organized Noize and more, plus guest appearances from Usher, The-Dream, Summer Walker, Young Dro and others, is his farewell to the game. A final reminder, as he calls it, to reinforce why he’s donned the tilted fitted crown for years.
After that, T.I. says he’s done with rap, sort of, and will focus on family, film, his budding comedy career and other ventures. Tip seems to have no qualms with never putting out another project.
XXL caught up with T.I. at a studio outside Atlanta where he was rehearsing for his headlining 2026 Birthday Bash performance. He discussed crafting his final album, his upcoming King Succession Tour with Domani and King, what’s next after retirement, his legacy and more.
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See full interview: ⬇️
https://t.co/cpqZElFaxY
Kicked it with @Domani & #KING to play some chess and talk about my final album #KillTheKing with our patnas at @amazonmusic.
Who do u think won 🤔♟️👑🪓
Head to @amazonmusic to watch da full video
Grab your tour tickets here: https://t.co/5H7jd5sdDC
Houston Night 2 SOLD OUT. 🫡 @BunBTrillOG & @Domani. #TheKingSuccessionTour… we on to BROOKLYN Friday YKWTFGO 👑♟️
Grab your tour tickets here: https://t.co/5H7jd5sdDC
Dallas showed out last night to kick off #TheKingSuccessionTour… we on to Houston tonight YKWTFGO 👑♟️
Grab tickets to da tour here: https://t.co/5H7jd5sdDC
“Da Partments 2” Premiere last night went sideways😂😂😂 watch now on @WatchALLBLK. Luv n respect to the cast, crew, my co prod., & everyone that came out last night YKWTFGO 🫡👑
Oh & go check out part 1 on @Tubi
The hits you know. The performance you didn’t see coming.
T.I. takes the ESSENCE Festival of Culture stage for a powerful orchestral performance, blending hip hop, live instrumentation, and unforgettable storytelling into one extraordinary moment.
Get your ticket: https://t.co/ds5nbv0Tz8