T.I.: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

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Aug. 27, 2018 | Rodney Carmichael -- Tip "T.I." Harris has lived the last 15 years of his life on the big stage. Fans have watched him rise, fall and ascend to new heights again, remaking himself each step of the way. From dope boy to dope emcee. From inmate to activist. From reality star and box-office draw to real estate developer and film producer.

But the Tiny Desk has a way of stripping even the biggest acts back down to their musical essence. For Tip, that meant stretching beyond his comfort zone again, this time by rapping along to a group of high school string players instead of his classic tracks. Without his usual audio prompts, he kept lyric sheets close at hand while running through the definitive street hits "Rubber Band Man," "What You Know" and the Billboard 100 chart topper featuring Rihanna, "Live Your Life." He may have stumbled a few times, but when you've successfully reinvented your career as often as Tip has had to it's probably hard to stick to the same old script.

As for Tip's Tiny Desk transformation, he brought along his mini orchestra of young talent from Atlanta to fill in for Rihanna. The artists in training, from the non-profit Atlanta Music Project, put a classical twist on his street anthems, adding strings and brass in place of 808 bass. "That's a true example that really says that you're never defined by your environment unless you want to be," Tip said, crediting the youngsters for their commitment to craft. Meanwhile, he kept his set funky with off-the-cuff stories of the drama behind his music — like the time when he found out, after shooting the video for "Rubber Band Man" with Puff Daddy, that his home had been raided by police. "This music was about the elements that people have to endure in their lives every day and find a brighter side and make a way out of no way," he said. "That's what this music represents."

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Trap Muzik, the sophomore album that branded T.I. King of the South and birthed an Atlanta movement that would eventually give hip-hop a global makeover. The music gave voice to a discarded generation stuck between socioeconomic despair and criminal exploits. In a genre where the performance of authenticity snares talented artists in their own trap, Tip has conquered those demons. His last album, Us Or Else found him raising a conscious fist in unity against the systemic inequality highlighted by the Movement for Black Lives. Now, with more movie credits to his name than solo albums, his most respected role has been serving as part of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' transition team. But Tip's past is still present. In addition to investing in the redevelopment of Bankhead — the west Atlanta community that raised him and gave him game — he plans to return to his metaphoric roots on his next studio album, The Dime Trap.

Indeed, Tip still knows all about that.

Set List
"Rubber Band Man"
"What You Know"
"Live Your Life"

Credits
Producers: Rodney Carmichael, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Beck Harlan, Maia Stern, Khun Minn Ohn; Editor: Khun Minn Ohn; Production Assistants: Catherine Zhang, Téa Mottolese; Photo: Eslah Attar/NPR.
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These kids killed "Rubber band man", I"m impressed. They did a great job!!!!

kipshy
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He's done more for those kids than anyone else commenting negatively.

jcross
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Look at the youth killin’ it on the instruments 🎻 pure dopeness 🔥💯

Peg
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THE MAN DID NOT INVITE HIMSELF TO NPR.. The production and talent agents did. Now with that being said, we ALL know Tip loves the kids. So why be mad because be he censored his music? His band was comprised of kids and he was man enough to respect them. Kuddos to you Tip!

mycrownfitsfine
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my early 2000’s i was OBSESSED with TI and his music, a KING

jackieo.
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It's heartwarming what TI did for the kids. he has my respect

ebenezermemani
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When I hear actual musical instruments being used in Rubber Band Man, I instantly hit the Like button!

THC
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In my opinion Tip did this for those kids and he no doubt gave them an experience of a lifetime. He could have easily gotten experienced musicians and a veteran MD but he didn't. I think that's one of the reasons he censored his performance. Imagine 10 years from now one of those kids blows up to become a sought after musician and this was part of their journey but because his performance didn't live up to your standard, that's all you see this as. Salute to Tip for giving these kids a chance.

roblo
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He was trying to make it PG for the kids. He was censensoring his lyrics. No stumbling. T.I. is too much of a wordsmith. Looks like at the last minute he decided to make it clean.

anyaleavy
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Ti..Was Positive to All..Very Grateful 👍👍👍👍

kobiemack
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WE NEED NPR, yall are ON POINT! QUALITY MUSIC ALWAYS!

DJBroNeal
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6 years later I’m still watching, that was perfect

kida
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Gotta give props for him respecting those young people! Amazing!!!! What a great example!!!

apprilleh
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I love how T.I. Chose to bring the students to showcase their talent! T.I. Love the kids! Great session!

ashleyrhinehart
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Always had mad respect for T.I. big up for censoring the lyrics because of the youths. The youths are killing it on the instruments..

clyde
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Maaaan, this my first time seeing this. This was really big for these students. Atlanta Music Project did that. Great job T.I. for giving these students that opportunity. I love it!

platinumbelle
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I forgot he got so much cuss words in his songs 😂😂😂💀 but thts why he was pausing cause of the cuss words y’all remember he’s the black human dictionary 😂‼️

ehh
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Crazy as I look at the comments. T. I. Has always been a business and professional man that knows how to conduct himself. And is for the kids. He is the King. Love him.

kiwhi
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I like how tip got the young kids to play. Played real nice.

byssbiscit
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Honestly, the fact that this man could censor his lyrics on the fly speaks volumes. Some rappers wouldn't have any lyrics at all if they did that lol

jyronejackson