Fresh from the road to release for his eighth studio album, T.I. sat down with Philadelphia’s Power 99 FM and reminisced about the short partnership between Grand Hustle and MMG’s Meek Mill.
Tip spoke briefly about his admiration for Philly’s golden child and recalled his own generosity that gave way for Meek Mill‘s blossoming deal with Grand Hustle. “Due to my set of circumstances that removed me from the free world, I had an inability to do anything for anyone around me at that time,” he said.
Prior to going to jail in 2009 T.I. and his label were showing major interest in the newcomer, but Rick Ross caught wind as well. Unfortunately, T.I.— in the midst of his own troubles— recognized he was standing in the way of Meek reaching full potential. Given that he could not be more involved and help enhance Meek’s budding career, the Atlanta rapper gracefully let the partnership go.
In all, the Grand Hustle leader continues to show support for Maybach’s bad boy. “I’m happy for his success, I really am. Do I wish that I did not have to deal with it in that way, and do I wish that I had a greater involvement? Yeah, sometimes I do, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to deal with life as it is, not as I wish it was.”
During the Philly stop, T.I. also talked about the emotional journey he took in writing songs on Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head. He chatted more about his time in jail and hinted about releasing a Hustle Gang compilation album. Peep the rest of the Philly interview below.
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Photo: SOHH
