Top 25 Best T.I. Songs

T.I. is the King of the South. Not because you think so, but because he says so. A man that has achieved the accolades that T.I. has, has the right to call himself the king of whatever he wants. Any man that disputes it only propels the idea further by giving it attention. It was with that mentality, and the instincts of a hustler, that T.I. became hip-hop royalty.

It wasn’t easy for TIP to ascend the classes of hip-hop. Top tier rappers like Jay-Z and Nas were running the game in the early 2000s, while newcomers like Eminem and Ludacris were building their reputations. TIP’s first studio album dropped in 2001, the same year as The Blueprint, Stillmatic, Word of Mouf, Pain Is Love, Miss E… So Addictive, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye, Dirty Money, and a lengthy list of other classic rap albums. Needless to say, the competition was well equipped, and TIP’s debut didn’t necessarily move mountains. It did shake the pavement though.

From I’m Serious forward, T.I. evolved. His mastery of crafting monumental hip-hop music and moments only became more refined throughout the years. Trap Muzik, Urban Legend, King, T.I. vs T.I.P., Paper Trail, and the list goes on. Despite battling legal troubles, and entertaining several high-profile beefs, TIP has remained the most astute and vigilant hustler in hip-hop. His discography is beyond impressive; it has earned him multiple Grammys and the respect of every rap fan in the world.

Mixtapes can be both fans' and rappers' favorite format of hip-hop entertainment, but studio albums are the lifeblood of an artist’s legacy. Of course, there is a long list of rappers who have classic mixtapes that shook hip-hop to its core. TIP has a few of those himself. Still, when a list of top five rappers is debated, the hip-hop heads involved are most likely basing their opinions on albums, singles, or album cuts. It’s with that mindset that we compiled a list of T.I.’s best songs. No mixtape records, no songs that T.I. only features on. Just the crème de la crème of TIP’s prestigious studio album discography.

Produced by: T-Minus & Nikhil “Kromatik” Seetharam

Album: No Mercy

T.I. and Drizzy combined their forces on this club-rattling anthem. The two enjoyed the success of "Fancy," but decided to take their collaborative concept in a different direction for this track. TIP gives Dave Chappelle’s Rick James skit a nod in the chorus, which only makes the song that much greater. 

Produced by: T-Minus & Nikhil “Kromatik” Seetharam

Album: Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head

The first single off Heavy Is The Head followed the same recipe as “Poppin Bottles,” and that's not to throw shade. T-Minus crafts another anthemic instrumental, and the hook is contagious.

Produced by: DJ Toomp and Sanchez Holmes

Album: Trap Muzik

T.I.’s second studio album elevated him from your favorite trapper’s favorite rapper, to a mainstream hit-maker. TIP opens the album with the title track, a bold move that sets the tone for the project flawlessly.

Produced by: Max Martin and Dr. Luke

Album: No Mercy

“Now I don’t really care what you call me, just as long as you don’t call me broke,” raps T.I., before stunting over Max Martin and Dr. Luke's suspenseful guitars. Rap god Eminem splits the record with TIP, which allows both rappers to flaunt their flows, in a very easy-listen for Em's vese in particular-- which we can appreciate especially so given the modern-day Eminem flow. Although No Mercy was overlooked by most and not necessarily favored by critics when it comes to T.I.'s discography, this song is an epic showing from both, despite flying heavily under the radar.

Produced by: Kanye West

Album: Paper Trail 

The M.I.A. sample and heavy synths set the background for what should have been the best rap collaboration ever. Instead, the track is fun but lacks substance. TIP delivers the best verse, reminding everyone who’s song it was.

Produced by: T.I.

Album: Trap Muzik

Before TIP decided to base an entire project off his split personalities, he introduced the world to his-selves. On the track, T.I. speaks to T.I.P. about how to succeed in the game. Looks like he gives himself good advice.

Produced by: Sanchez Holmes

Album: Urban Legend

The regal horns on this anthem shook the country, and that fact TIP is taunting Lil Flip on the record makes it the smoothest diss ever. Flip tried to fire back several times, but TIP ended his career promptly. 

Produced by: London On Da Track

Album: Paperwork

This may be the most infectious Young Thug chorus ever. T.I. and his fellow ATLien team up for a bass dripping banger that owned the summer of 2014, reminding us all that Tip still had it, and not only that, he had an ear for what was next, co-signing Thugger's imminent blow up.

Produced by: TrackSlayerz

Album: No Mercy

Although “I’m Back” is a bonus track off No Mercy, it was the single that set the tone for the whole album. The instrumental is sinister, and at this time in TIP’s career, he was surrounded by negative press and criminal charges. The King is definitely at his most fierce, with the future on his mind.

Produced by: DJ Toomp

Album: King

TIP lets the whole crew ride along on his ode to Bankhead, Atlanta. Grand Hustle’s Young Dro was at the height of his commercial stint at the time with “Shoulder Lean,” and P$C was riding high off the success of their album 25 to Life.

Produced by: Just Blaze

Album: Paper Trail

“Live Your Life” topped Billboard’s Top 100 chart in 2008, reaffirming TIP’s ability to create hit records. Rihanna was fully engulfed in her Good Girl Gone Bad persona, which was a spectacle for everyone watching.

Produced by: Kevin “Khao” Cates

Album: King

King is hands down a top three T.I. album, and it’s filled with bangers. “Stand Up Guy” is an album cut that became so popular that TIP referenced it again on Justin Timberlake’s “My Love.”

Produced by: The Neptunes

Album: I’m Serious

“I’m Serious” would be the best Beenie Man and Neptunes collaboration, if not for “Girls Dem Sugar.” The title track off T.I.’s debut studio album is a club banger that fuses trap and pop with Caribbean vibes.

Produced by: Jim Jonsin

Album: Paper Trail

The mastermind behind Pretty Ricky’s “Grind With Me” produces this classic T.I.  anthem. It reached number one on Billboard’s Hot 100, and numerous children were conceived to this record in 2008.

Produced by: Kevin “Khao” Cates

Album: King

One of the best tools in T.I.’s arsenal is his ability to create hit records for the ladies. The instrumental for “Why You Wanna” is cinematic, and TIP’s chorus is a nod to A Tribe Called Quest’s classic “Find A Way.”

Produced by: Drumma Boy

Album: Paper Trail

Over an epic drum and horn instrumental, TIP takes shots at Shawty Lo. Lo went after TIP on “Dunn Dunn,” and “Whats Up, What’s Haapnin” was the King of the South’s answer to his hometown rival’s assault.

Produced by: DJ Toomp

Album: Trap Muzik

“Be Easy” is a hip-hop classic. The tip-toe flow of the verses showcases TIP’s delivery skills, and the music video features dope visuals, played in reverse, about the story of a dying man.  

Produced by: Mannie Fresh

Album: T.I. vs T.I.P. 

Before Shia LaBeouf was screaming at you from your cell phone screen to “DO IT,” TIP was teaching the world how to get it done. The track samples the Top Gun theme song, and is much more enjoyable than the Tom Cruise movie.

Produced by: DJ Toomp

Album: Urban Legend

DJ Toomp outdid himself with this one. The instrumental for “Motivation” is both beautiful and deadly, and TIP’s intentions couldn’t be more clear. The King was tired of being regarded as an underdog.

Produced by: DJ Toomp

Album: Urban Legend

“U Don’t Know Me” is a scathing response to all the new hatred that came with the fame as TIP’s career became more lucrative. His blatant disregard for critics who didn’t understand him became a reoccurring theme that powered songs like “U Don’t Know Me” into the classic category.

Produced by: Chuck Diesel

Album: Paper Trail

When you hear the name of this song out loud, you might mistake it for Lil Wayne’s mesmerizing single with a homophonous name.  TI shows that he can drop just as many jaw-dropping bars as Weezy on this banger.

Produced by: DJ Toomp

Album: King

T.I. locked down his only solo Grammy award with this heavy, syrup bass laced quintessential hip-hop classic. “What You Know” perfectly embodied the tone set by T.I.’s movie ATL, and was also included on the soundtrack. 

Produced by: Swizz Beatz

Album: Urban Legend

We’re all ecstatic that Beanie Sigel passed on the “Bring ‘Em Out” beat, because TIP bodied that record like no one else could. This single is so popular, that more people tend to place the Jay sample with the T.I. record than its original appearance on “What More Can I Say.” 

Produced by: DJ Toomp

Album: Trap Muzik 

Hood anthems are T.I.’s bread and butter, which is why he credits himself with creating trap music. The chorus on “24’s” has a hypnotizing sway that lulls the listener into an irresistible head swing. Back when Lil Duval had long hair, he was scheming on getting himself some 24’s in the video for this single.

Produced by: David Banner

Album: Trap Muzik

What did you expect to be number one? Walk into any club tonight and ask the DJ to turn on “Rubber Band Man.” Do it. Everyone will know the chorus, except the kids that were born after the world should’ve ended in 2000. The instrumental alone evokes euphoric head nodding. This is everything a rap single should be, and it continues to define who T.I. is.