A Conversation with T.I.: Acting's Role In the Rapper's Illustrious Career

Since T.I. burst onto the scene in 2003 with his debut album, Trap Muzik, and claimed the title of ‘King of the South,’ he has been known as more than just a rapper. Among and arguably above his many business ventures over the years has been his acting, which began with his 2006 role in the major motion picture ATL. For the past month, he has been impressing viewers of popular Showtime series House of Lies in his role as Lukas Frye, a drug dealer-turned-co-CEO of fictitious urban clothing brand DollaHyde, which has seeked out the help of Don Cheadle’s character’s management consulting firm. Sure, the character is a natural fit for T.I., who has also had a past in drug dealing and experience with running a clothing line. However, for the 33-year-old, acting isn’t just another way for him to convey his life experiences to the masses. Read on in our short conversation with him to learn more about how important his on-screen pursuits are in the grand scheme of his remarkable career.

You’ve had your hand in acting for a long time now, in movies such as ATL and American Gangster, to TV shows like House of Lies. Back when you were just starting out rapping in Atlanta, did you have a desire to act and would you have imagined you would be doing it at the level you are today?
You know what, with the examples that were laid before me like Ice Cube, I knew if I did a lot of things right then I would have the opportunity to end up where others did. But it wasnt until I got my first shot at it and finished my first movie and I saw how good it turned out, that I knew I could actually act. Even during ATL, I didn’t know if I was doing a good job or a bad job. The studio was raving over the performance and I took that as an opportunity to keep going.

In House of Lies, you run a clothing company with a longtime friend, but butt heads with him about the future direction of the company, and an advisor (Marty [Don Cheadle]) is caught in the middle trying to help you grow the business. Are there any parallels with this storyline or your role and any part of your career?
Nah man, not really.

As a rapper and recording artist, you are without a doubt a master of your craft, and you are known for your confidence. Do you feel the same sense of confidence when working with such celebrated actors, directors, producers, etc., or do you still feel like you have a lot to learn?
It’s somewhere at a midway point between being confident and having something to prove, a chip on my shoulder. I feel like I have to prove my worth as an actor still.

You’re a family man now with a hugely successful music career under your belt. Is acting going to be a focus for you in coming years, or will it continue to be only one aspect of your career?
Acting is something I can do until I’m 50, 60. I don’t see music as something I can do when I’m that old. I’m setting my self up to transition.

We’ve heard you have a new album coming that you’ve been working on with Pharrell, Justin Timberlake and others. What else can we expect from you in 2014? More acting?
Definitely be expecting my new album, it’s going to be phenomenal. You can also expect the Hustle Gang project we will release at the end of 2014 and the posthumous release of Doe B’s album. We’re working on it right now diligently.

Interview by Matt Morris