T.I. Explains Confusing "Hello" Lyrics, Appearance On Shawty Lo's Reality Show

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In the new comedy “Identity Thief” rapper T.I. plays a gun-toting mercenary named Julian who is hot on the trail of scam artist Diana (Melissa McCarthy) and her reluctant travel companion Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman).

The timing of the film piggybacks on the release of his eighth studio album, “Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head.”  It’s Tip’s first official project since serving 11 months in prison for a parole violation.  The collection toes the line between his traptastic “I’m Serious” persona and the mature, accessible T.I. that fans see on the big and small screen.

T.I.’s  reality show with his wife and family “T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle”  has had two successful seasons on VH1 and effectively filled  the void left by Reverend Run and his “Run’s House” series. Tip also appeared on Kelsey Grammar’s show “Boss” as Trey Rogers, a hustler with political aspirations.

Most recently, T.I. was the focus of rumors that he was in a bidding war for his services since his contract with label Atlantic Records was almost up.

So TheUrbanDaily.com got on the phone with The Rubberband man during a junket for his new film to clear the air on everything from the label rumors, gun control and his appearance in fellow rapper Shawty-Lo’s controversial reality TV show pilot to that awkward chorus on “Say Hello.”

TUD: How did you get involved with this movie, “Identity Thief?”

T.I.: I was alerted of the opportunity by my manager Brian Sher of Category Five Entertainment. We’ve been sitting down with the producer Scott Stuber for quite some time. Scott produced other films like “Ted,” “Battleship” and “Safe House.” The script came my way and I had a meeting with [Director] Seth [Gordon] and from there it was just about showing up,  taking advantage and maximizing [the opportunity]. The stage was already set with Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman. They’re such huge comedic presences in the world of comedy. I was just happy to be along for the ride.

This is now your fourth feature film. How do you think you did?

I’m highly critical of myself. I’m a role player for the most part so I’m just happy to be able to contribute to the team. It was about not screwing it up and just add some value wherever I can. And I think I was fortunate enough to able to do so.

Have you ever been a victim of identity theft?

Not that I can recall. Nothing significant enough for me to remember. I’m sure everybody at some point in time has some had some kind of identity situation in this day and age. But nothing significant enough where someone bought a car or anything like that. Thank God for that.

On the smaller screen you recently made a cameo appearance in Shawty Lo’s much talked about reality show…

Actually I did not make a cameo. Simply because…I was just working out. I was running and cars pulled up and that just happened to be who was inside. I wasn’t showing up to make a cameo for anything. They just happened to be in the area where we were working out and it just happened that way.

Thank you for clarifying. But as a father and man with a reality show of your own, what do you think about the response to the “All My Babies Mamas” show?

I don’t think I’m justified to really speak on it, man. That’s not my family. That’s his life and his story to tell. If he’s willing to tell it and the people are willing to watch it that’s between them. I think that should be left up to him and the people who it effects the most, his family. If they’re cool with it…that’s what should be on everybody’s mind.

On your new album  “Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head”,“Say Hello”  with Cee-Lo is one of my favorite tracks but I had a question; If someone is in your rearview wouldn’t you be saying “Good-bye” as opposed to “Hello”?

“Just keep going, and don’t look back

And look forward from where you’re at

There’s some jealousy in your rearview

Wave hello, hello, hello…” -Cee-Lo,  on T.I.’s”Say Hello”

We all took notice of that when we were making the song; myself, Cee-Lo and Pharrell as well. We all acknowledged that fact but we felt like the sentiment was appropriate enough that people will draw their own conclusion. It’s saying hello to the future and good-bye to bullsh*t at the same time. When you tell the haters ‘hello’ it’s the haters of tomorrow. You wave good-bye to the haters of yesterday and your future will be bright. Any bright future will be filled with new haters so you gonna wave hello to the new ones and good-bye to the old ones. Sort of like an ‘aloha’ if you will.  [laughs] ‘Aloha’ is hello and good-bye at the same damn time.

You had Andre 3000 on “Sorry” and you were on Big Boi’s “In The A.” Do you think we’ll ever see another Outkast album?

From me speaking to Dre man I heard him being open to it, I really did. I think his concern is do the kids right now who are young and buying music care enough about an Outkast album for it to make a difference. Which is the same concern that I hear from other people that we all love and respect in this industry like Dr. Dre. I was working with Doc on “Detox” and that was his same concern. Of course we’re looking at them like we have such huge admiration for them for what they’ve done in the past, but they are looking at themselves kind of like ‘What do I mean to the young kid of today that is going out there to buy music?’ That’s what the struggle is. It’s not whether or not they want to do it, it’s whether they feel like it’s significant enough to be done. Nobody wants to tarnish their reputation or legacy with a lackluster presentation or poorly received album after having  such a decorated past. That’s a lot of pressure for cats like that. But I know one thing, all you gotta do is let me know it’s coming out and I’m there.  That’s just me. And I’m gonna make sure my kids listen to it and that they know how important it is to culture. If you are an admirer of music today you need to know what set the stage for all of your favorite artists right here right now to do it.

I was watching your interview with Larry King and you gave a great response to his question about gun control. However, on “Who Want Some” you tell the ATF that “you have three more .380s left.” Given your history, are you possibly tempting the wrong people?

I don’t know. I didn’t even think that much about it, I’m just making music. I could stand a pat down, that’s for damn sure. And a vehicle search. If they want to roll up on me and search my vehicle so be it. I ain’t really trippin off that man, this is entertainment. The moment I start thinking too hard about what I can and can’t say, that’s when the music becomes diluted. I feel like I owed the people who went and spent their hard earned money on my album. I owe them as much as I could possibly give them. That’s what I did. I focused on adequately entertaining and  making sure people got their money’s worth. I did not go out of my way to antagonize, entice or tempt anyone. I’m just doing what people pay me to do, entertain.

Speaking of entertaining, are there any updates on the bidding war for your services?

[laughs] Hey look man I see all that sh*t man…I respect my present partners at Atlantic records and had there ever been a separation between them and myself I would respect my new partners in such a way that I’m not gonna sensationalize anything. They give me my fair market value for what it is I have to offer.  And if you want to be in business with me let’s give each other %110. But just going out and doing gossip type stories that ain’t a huge part of what I do.

So if you had the choice you’d like to stay where you are?

Ay man, I’d love to stay where I am. It’d have to be shown that the feeling is mutual and the way you do that is on paper with commitment to dollars.

Universal Pictures “Identity Thief” is in theaters February 8th 2013.

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