T.I.

Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., known as T.I., is an Atlanta rapper and actor credited as a pioneer of trap music alongside Jeezy and Gucci Mane. He met Kawan “KP” Prather in the 1990s and joined Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment by 1999. After his debut, I’m Serious (2001), drew a lukewarm response, he left the label, signed with Atlantic Records, and co-founded Grand Hustle Records in 2003.

His breakthrough: Bone Crusher’s 2003 single “Never Scared,” his first Billboard Hot 100 entry. Trap Muzik (2003) peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, spawning “Rubber Band Man” and “Let’s Get Away” with Jazze Pha. Urban Legend (2004)