It was a big week for T.I. The Atlanta rapper nabbed his third consecutive No. 1 album on the pop charts last week, selling more than 560,000 copies of his new album, “Paper Trail,” according to Nielsen SoundScan.
He also had the unusual pleasure of beating himself out of the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. “Live Your Life” with Rihanna knocked out T.I.’s previous hit, “Whatever You Like,” according tobillboard.com.
The last person to do that was Usher, who replaced his No. 1 “Burn” with his No. 1 “Confessions Part II” back in 2004, according to the site.
T.I., who has a pending year-and-a-day prison term he’s due to begin serving next year on weapons charges, seems like he’s on top of the world right now.
He even guest edited the politically themed November issue of King magazine, in which he encouraged readers to “cut your PlayStation off and turn to CNN and listen” to what’s going on in politics next month.
So what is it that makes the rapper tick? RedEye decided to take a closer look at T.I. “CSI”-style. We just got the (highly unscientific) results back from the lab.
The T.I. identity
What makes the rapper so popular?
45% House arrest was good for his creativity
15% Radio said so
10% Currently, he’s the King
10% Wears a mean pair of shades
20% Atlanta connection
Hit parade
T.I.’s been a busy man. Here’s a look back at some of his hits.
2003 Trap Muzik
HITS: 24’s, Rubber Band Man
2004 Urban Legend
HIT: Bring Em Out
2006 King
HIT: What You Know
2007 T.I. vs T.I.P.
HIT: Big Things Poppin’
2008 Paper Trail
HITS: Whatever You Like, Live Your Life
